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Why Does Hair Turn Green in the Swimming Pool?
The common belief is that chlorine is responsible for turning hair green, especially for people with blonde hair. However, it's not just the chlorine that causes this. The real culprit is the combination of copper and chlorine in the water.
Here’s how it works:
Copper in the Water: When there's copper in the pool water, often coming from old pipes or algaecides used in the pool, the metal can attach to the hair.
Chlorine’s Role: Chlorine on its own doesn’t change hair color. But, when chlorine mixes with the copper, it oxidizes the metal. This oxidized copper then binds to your hair, resulting in that green tint, particularly noticeable in lighter hair.
Different Pools, Different Results: Some pools might not cause your hair to turn green because they lack copper in the water, while others might have higher copper content, leading to green hair.
How to Prevent It:
Use a Swim Cap: Wearing a swim cap can physically protect your hair from pool water exposure, especially if you’re doing laps.
Apply a Leave-In Conditioner: A silicone-rich leave-in conditioner before swimming can coat your hair, offering some protection by preventing the copper-chlorine combination from attaching to the hair strands.
Rinse Hair: Rinsing your hair immediately after swimming can also help remove any chemicals or metals before they have a chance to bind.
So, if you're blonde and noticing greenish hair after swimming, it’s likely from copper in the water, and not just the chlorine!
Think you may have hair loss? Consider booking in an online or in person consultation with us.
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