Growing up in the San Fernando Valley, an inland suburb of sunny Los Angeles, I was doomed to spend my summers poolside. Nothing says fun like splashing around in a pool, snacking on chips and sandwiches, and playing mermaids with your best buddies. What's not so much fun is subjecting your tresses to chlorine, which can dry it out and possibly even alter its color. In turn, this may have left you wondering how to protect hair from chlorine.

The effects of chlorine on hair are unfortunately aplenty. Apart from dryness and color changes, too much chlorine can raise the porosity of your hair as well (more on that later). But it's also not realistic to avoid being exposed to chlorine completely. That would mean never again getting your hair wet at a swimming pool or using chlorinated water, which isn't always something you can guarantee.

I've been in pools since 1993, and my locks are pretty tip-top. All things considered, I'm passing on some tips I've learned on how to protect hair from chlorine. (Quick side note: I also know how hard it is to figure out what to wear over your suit. 

How to Protect Hair From Chlorine

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to protect your hair and scalp from chlorine, let's first make a sketchy overview of what chlorine is and how it may affect your hair. That way, you'll be able to pinpoint which hair concern you're dealing with. And that is going to be, after all, the key to learning the best protective measures. 

What Is Chlorine?

\In simple terms, chlorine is a heavy chemical element that's meant to oxidize the materials with which it's combined. That's why it's often used in pool water and cleaning products. Pool supply store In the Swim says a pool contains about 12.5 percent chlorine.

Since there isn't that much chlorine in swimming pools, it is not a big deal if you dip your hair in ever once in a while. Repeated exposure—like even once a week—can cause hair and skin damage.

What Does Chlorine Do To Your Hair?

There are quite a few things that can happen to your hair when it comes into contact with chlorine and other pool chemicals. These include, but are not limited to:

How to Protect Your Hair from Chlorine Damage

Don't get your hair wet in the pool.

For the most part, my pool time these days doesn't involve dipping my hair in the water. As I've grown older, I've noticed it takes just a bit more time for my hair to recover. No pun intended. More often than not, I will keep my hair up so as not to soak my strands and incur chlorine damage. If you're open to looking like an Olympic swimmer, you might also consider donning a swim cap. 

Apply a thin layer of conditioner to your hair before getting in the pool.

The first time I heard this tip, I was a little taken aback. It seemed counterintuitive to waste my conditioner or leave-in product in my hair when it was just going to be washed off in the pool.

Rinse your hair after every swim.

 Remember, I love to play mermaids—yes, even at my big age—and that involves splashing around and swimming underwater. That being said, every single time I get my hair wet in the pool, you can bet your bottom dollar one of the very first things I do after the swim is jump in the shower and wash my hair. I'll usually reach for a clarifying shampoo like Oribe The Cleanse Clarifying Shampoo, as that helps address any potential chlorine damages. 

Protect your hair with a leave-in conditioner.

 I must say, I thought leave-in conditioners were a scam. It just didn't seem like a 15-minute, at-home treatment would do a whole lot to save my strands. But summer 2024 changed my mind about that entirely. Now, I can't live without my Mizani True Textures Moroccan Clay Steam Mask. I'll apply it while I'm in the middle of a workout that happens to coincide with wash day, so the mask is in for about an hour. As soon as I rinse it out, my hair feels smooth and hydrated—which it remains even after my locks air dry. (In case you've been looking for the best hair heat protectant for natural hair, we suggest the #Mydentity #MyHero Collagen Shield Spray.)