6 Bad effects chlorine can have on your skin & hair

Swim Fears: 6 Bad effects chlorine can have on your skin & hair

Angela Goh

23 May 2016

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Loss of shine and flexibility in hair
Chlorine strips the natural oils that cover your hair. This results in weak and brittle strands that can be more prone to breakage and damage. Letting your hair soak too long in pool water can cause the hair shafts to absorb the chlorine, resulting in severe drying of the cuticles, which in turn can result in limp and lifeless hair.
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Split ends and damaged strands
Chlorine can actually get between the hair fibres, and once the chemical starts to crystallise within the hair shaft, the crystals can separate these fibres, thus destroying the structural integrity of strands of hair, causing split ends and roughness.
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Premature aging
Chlorine can seep into your skin through open pores. Over a period of time, this can damage your skin and cause premature signs of aging. Chlorine also tends to strip the skin of the natural oils that keep skin supple and protected against the elements, causing it to dry up and crack, which may lead to wrinkles and lines.
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Dry and flaky skin
While an occasional dip in the pool may not affect your skin noticeably, spending long hours each day swimming and soaking in chlorinated water will, of course, exacerbate its affects on the skin. If you have sensitive skin, you may develop a rash or suffer from dry and flaky skin.
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Chlorine can kill good bacteria
While chlorine is good at getting rid of the harmful bacteria that makes us sick, it is also capable of killing off good bacteria and beneficial microflora on which our healthy skin relies. Certain studies have shown that chlorinated water also destroys vitamin E and polyunsaturated fatty acids.
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Chlorine might increase cancer risks
Some studies show that chlorine might promote the generation of free radicals within our body - specifically our skin. Free radicals, as we all know, have been shown to cause cancer. Drinking tap water containing chlorine has been linked to cancer in the bladder, bowel and breast. Pool water contains a much higher concentration of chlorine compared to tap water. Long-term effects of drinking, bathing and swimming in this water may lead to malignant melanoma.

To swim or not to swim? That is the ultimate question, at least when it comes to the beauty of your hair and skin.

When it comes to swimming in a public pool, you’ll know the water that you wade in contains strong, often pungent chemicals. Chlorine is the weapon of choice when it comes to keeping pools and jacuzzis free of bacteria, viruses and other unwanted microorganisms. Unfortunately, high levels of chlorine can be harmful to humans as well and can cause certain side effects such itchiness and irritation to the skin and eyes. Strongly chlorinated pools can strip away the colour from your swimsuit, as well as alter the colour of your dyed hair. If you have sensitive skin or if you aren’t a fan of the harsh smell of chlorinated pools, we recommend swimming in saltwater pools or in the sea instead, whenever you crave a dip.

Head up to the gallery above to check out some unfortunate ways chlorine can affect your skin and hair. From dry and flaky skin to split ends, these reasons might be enough to make you want to think twice before soaking yourself for hours in that fancy hotel swimming pool or jacuzzi.

Angela Goh

Photos: Getty Images

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