How to Stop Chlorine from Ruining Your Hair Color

One pastime that takes up most of our time during the summer is swimming.

This activity is one of the greatest joys of the warmer seasons, and if you can't manage to make it to the beach, that means your next big choice is the pools.

Whether you plan to go to an indoor or outdoor facility, every pool has one chemical that can be just as harmful as it is helpful, and that compound is chlorine.

You may not notice the toxic effects of chlorine if you are someone who likes to wear protective hairstyles during the summertime, but if you have rich hair coloring, then you know the harsh side effects far too well.

Anything with a bleach base in it will cause chemical changes in our tresses, from sucking out the moisture to leaving our strands dry and in a brittle mess, and the result can be very damaging.

So, how can we protect our hair color without sacrificing going for a beautiful swim this summer? 🌴

We're here to provide you with all the information and tips you need to feel comfortable paying for new hair color, and it won't be a waste in just a couple of days.

Read on if you are in desperate need to figure out how to stop chlorine from ruining your hair color or hair bundles. It's time to start enjoying our summer days worry-free.

Shampoo Hair ASAP After Swimming

I know that swimming can be so therapeutic, and right after we finish, we want to hop in the shower, rinse off, and then go to sleep.

However, forgetting to shampoo your hair right after leaving chlorinated waters can cause severe damage to your hair color.

Colorists recommend that everyone take the time to wash out any chemicals that can remain in their locks after a long day at the pool.

With research, you will discover that different colors require a specific conditioner or shampoo for just the right amount of protection.

If you have brown or black hair, consider using chocolate shampoos and mud hair masks.

What these two do is restore the shades and add the shine that chlorine water may take away from you.

If you have blonde curls, consider a hydrating duo formula in your shampoo and conditioner. This helps add extreme moisture to your hair, which is already prone to dryness from bleach, making it a big plus for those with platinum blonde hair.

You know, we can't forget about our redheads.

You all need to opt for a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner. This color, unfortunately, fades the fastest, so investing in sulfate-free products will continue to add shine and luster to your tresses.

Purchase Hair Sunscreen

Just like our skin needs a protective shield from the sun, our hair requires that same love.

If you're an outdoor swimming pool enthusiast, you'll likely need to invest in sunscreen for your hair.

Look for specific hair care products that contain UVB or UVA filters. These active ingredients protect your locks from chlorine and the sun's harsh rays.

When we dye our tresses, it weakens the strands, making the hair more susceptible to split ends and fading of color.

There are leave-in conditioners that you can purchase that help fight off chemical damage and, in the process, help repair split ends and frizz.

Sun Bum products seem to be the most popular among customers when it comes to putting a protective layer over your natural hair.

One thing you want to know is that these protective products go deeper than just putting them on our locks; we want to make sure that our scalp is out of harm's way.

Our scalps are very sensitive, so when the sun burns us, it can be just as painful as if it were on our skin.

For anyone with extra sensitive skin on their head, I would say purchase Q-Science Q-Sunshade Leave-In Conditioner & Scalp Protectant SPF 30; this product is especially helpful for color-treated hair.

This conditioner has a mixture of beautiful ingredients like vitamin E and green tea extract that helps to smooth and soften your hair while still delivering UV protection to the scalp.

You never want to turn down the opportunity to add moisture and shine to your strands. So, if you plan to take a dip in the pool outdoors, please take the time to invest in these fantastic sunscreens for your hair.

Wear a Swim Cap or Put Your Hair Up

It may come as a surprise, but the way you wear your curls to the beach or the pool will have a dramatic effect on your hair color and texture.

If you are going for a swim to relax and look cute with a couple of friends, try to keep your head out of the water as much as possible.

Putting your locks in a flirty top knot bun, ponytail, or braid can prevent your hair from soaking up too much of the chlorine water.

If you're someone who loves swimming for an excellent workout, we recommend investing in a durable swim cap that covers the entire circumference of your head.

This method will also prevent flyaways from occurring and having you accidentally pull out strands of wet hair when it's lying on your forehead.

I think this is an excellent method to try when you're several weeks into your dye job, but if you've recently colored your hair, I'd still opt for buying a leave-in conditioner and then placing the hair in either a bun or a swim cap.

I am a lifeguard all throughout the summer, and my go-to style is cornrows straight to the back and adding a hat for extra protection; this routine is helpful and has continued to work for the past three summers.

So, I trust this advice comes from experience. If you have extra hair ties lying around, there is no need to look any further; start enjoying the pool without suffering from color loss and damage.

Lacking ideas? Check out Fall Hair Colors and Haircuts for some ideas.

Try Out All-Natural Remedies

It would be cost-effective to invest in more natural remedies when it comes to treating your hair after leaving the chlorine waters.

Apple cider vinegar is a natural clarifier that can remove any residual chlorine in the curls.

But it can also highlight and bring life to any product buildup that could be dulling your hair.

What swimmers love so much about the Apple Cider Vinegar rinse is that it can remove any dead cells and unclog your hair follicles, leaving you with richer, smoother, longer, and healthier curls.

But be sure to wash out the ACV because it is a natural lightener, and you don't want your color to bleach and become brighter than it is already.

Another natural remedy is dissolving the aspirin in water and rinsing your hair with the solution, which will help correct the green hue in your curls.

The benefits of using natural remedies can be substantial for the health of your locks.

Rinse Out Your Hair Before Going to the Pool

This may seem counterproductive, but it could make a whole lot of difference in your curls' vibrant colors.

Something you may already know is that our hair is very porous, so once we have saturated our hair with water and moisture, it makes it harder for chlorine to enter the shafts.

The cuticles of your hair act as a sponge, so if it is full of clean water, it'll be hard for the pool water to work its way into the scalp and cause further damage.

This method is an excellent line of defense for saving hair color and keeping its richness throughout your daily swimming activities.

It is also one of the most natural free steps that you can take.

Oil Up Your Hair

If you coat your hair in a coconut or olive oil before hopping in the pool, it could add extra life to your hair color.

This hack is great because it creates a slippery barrier between your strands and the harmful chlorine. If you have a specific hair color that tends to wash out, rinse it through your curls once you get out of the pool.

But with olive oil as a base, anything that comes into contact with your strands will not penetrate the scalp.

When it comes to the dye we put on our hair, we need all the moisture we can get.

That's also a major plus when investing in products such as coconut oil. If you're still on the fence about buying these oils, it's great that they lock in healthy vitamins and antioxidants into our follicles.

One big issue, if you want to give this method a try, is that it works best when taking a swim at indoor pools.

Oil tends to cook your hair in the hot sun, and trust me, that feeling is painful, and no one wants that issue on their hands.

So, mix the oil treatment with a pretty swimming cap, and we promise that the color of your curls will remain bright throughout the summer.

But of course, with all great things, they come with some consequences if you misuse them.

Just make sure not to overapply oil on your curls because it could clog the cuticles and follicles, creating further damage.

Don't Let Chlorine Ruin Your Hair Color

We can't all be perfect, so let's face it: sometimes, we can't avoid all the harmful things that our hair may encounter, but we must try.

Some of us spend all of the spring banking on our perfect summer color; we don't want the anticipation to go to waste.

Chlorine can be very damaging to our skin as well as our tresses if we don't take the time to rinse and clean ourselves properly afterward.

If there is anything that you should take away from this blog, then that is always to follow up any clarifying treatment with a deep conditioner to replace any lost moisture.

One major tip to remember is that if you have a salon appointment scheduled before or on a swimming day, you'll need to take extra time to thoroughly wash your hair before meeting with your hairstylist.

The reason is that most salons use a variety of products, and any use of them with a mixture of chlorine could cause a chemical reaction.

I hear stories from a stylist who says clients' hair will fall out if they do not use the correct steps to rinse away all the toxins in their hair. 🧼

All these different tricks will help protect not only your color job but also your natural hair in general to promote hair growth.

So, keep in mind our advice the next time you go to the pool or out for a swim.

If you have any pointers on how you stop chlorine from ruining your hair color, then let us know in the comments down below.

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