People often wonder why their blonde hair turns green after swimming in a pool. There are two possible reasons for this: chlorine and copper. Chlorine is what makes your hair turn green, and it has nothing to do with the color of your hair. Copper is an element that causes blue or greenish discoloration of blonde or light brown hair that has been exposed to it over time.
In this article, we will discuss why does hair turn green? And what you should do after swimming to protect your hair from being damaged.
What Makes The Hair Turn Green In Swimming Pool?
The pool water contains a lot of chlorine. Chlorine is added to the swimming pool for sanitation and disinfecting purposes to prevent bacteria and other microorganisms from growing in the water. However, this chemical can destroy your hair’s healthy shine. It does this by stripping away natural oils from your hair strands which leaves them dry and brittle.
Consequently, they become more susceptible to damage or changes such as discoloration or color loss. If you want to protect your hair, then i would suggest you to use a swim shampoo in your hair to avoid any damage.
Why Does Only Blonde Hair Turn Green?
Blonde hair is one of the fairest hair types, but many blonde-haired people turn green after swimming in a pool. This usually happens because blondes tend to have less melanin than brunettes or redheads do, which means they don’t absorb as much chlorine during swimming. Chlorine reacts with water molecules and dissolves into hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and hydrochloric acid (HCL). The HOCI breaks down cuticles on your hair shafts, allowing chlorine to seep through until it reaches that most porous layer of your hair, the cortex.
Once there, it oxidizes and turns green. The good news is that this oxidation process will fade once you get out of the pool or shower off after swimming, which makes many blonde-haired people feel relieved. But if you are looking for something natural to change back your blond hair color from greenish after swimming in a pool, consider taking Vitamin C supplements. It can help your hair absorb chlorine faster and lockout the chemicals from damaging it.
What Should You Do After Coming Out Of Pool?
After you come out of the pool, make sure that you rinse your hair. You can always use swim shampoo or conditioner afterward to get rid of any green color. Blondes should also avoid chlorine when possible because it makes their hair look dull and dry. If there’s no way around it, try using a clarifying shampoo after swimming to remove any leftover minerals from your blonde locks. You can also wear a cap when you are swimming to avoid the color change.
Women with darker hair colors will not have as much trouble because chlorine does not soak into their tresses as quickly, making it less likely that they will experience any green tinting on those locks after pool time. But if your hair is lighter and still turns green even while wearing a hat, try using more baking soda in your washing routine rather than salt or vinegar next time around, so there is less chance of developing an unwanted shade of verdant.
We hope that this article helps you treat your blonde hair righteously after your swimming practice.