Swimmers hair is the faint green color left on light colored hair after a day of swimming in a chemically treated pool. The chlorine that is used to keep the pool sanitary reacts with trace levels of metals and this interaction is what causes the faint green color of swimmers hair. Typically only those with fine, very light hair are effected, and while it can be a bit of an embarrassment to have a bit of green in your hair, swimmers hair is completely harmless. It is easy to treat with a specially blended swimmers hair shampoo or a variety of home remedies.
If your hair is chemically treated with colorings, perms or one of several other treatments, it is best to avoid chlorinated pools for at least a few days after having your hair treated. If you have un-treated or color treated hair that is particularly light in color, it is best to use an ounce of prevention in order to avoid the unwanted green color all together. This can be achieved with a head covering or making certain that your hair is conditioned well before entering the chlorinated pool water. While a head covering may not be the best looking of preventive protection from swimmers hair, it is effective. If you are not up for donning a swimmers cap, a good quality hair conditioner will more than likely do the job. When using the conditioner, make certain to wet the hair with regular, non-treated water and apply conditioner liberally, making certain to cover your hair from roots to tips. If you intend to swim for an extended time, repeat the application of conditioner several times.
If you already have swimmers hair there are a few swimmers hair treatments that can help to rid your hair of the green color. I would recommend visiting a beauty supply shop and asking about specific swimmers hair products. There are typically clarifying conditioners that can be effective as a swimmers hair treatment. If using a shampoo, add a small amount of baking soda to the shampoo. Shampoo as normal and be certain to rinse well. The baking soda will act as a neutralizing agent and help to rid your hair of the green color.
If all else has failed, as a last effort swimmers hair treatment, you can try about 1/4 cup of aspirin that have dissolved in regular tap water. This aspirin mixture will be very gritty and leave your hair dry, and possibly brittle. It should be used only as needed, and only as a last effort. Be certain to follow up with a specially blended conditioning hair treatment in order to avoid further damage to your hair.
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