SWIMMING is known for its wide range of health and wellbeing benefits, including building muscle strength and reducing stress, but one area it can wreak havoc on is hair and scalp health.
"Chlorine is very much an alkaline product, and it really strips the sebum and the natural oils of the skin, the hair and the scalp," said Dr Li-Chuen Wong, head of dermatology at The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney.
This damage, known as "swimmer's hair", is most common among people who frequently swim in chlorinated pools.
The good news is that most hair and scalp issues can be prevented by using a well-fitting swim cap or tying your hair into a tight bun, which minimises contact with the chlorine, said Wong.
Pre-rinsing hair under a shower before entering the pool is also recommended, as it can act as a barrier and lessen the capacity to absorb chlorinated water.
Doing this again post-swim is also advisable if you can't wash hair with a gentle shampoo and conditioner straight away.
It is important to avoid hot water or prolonged washes that can damage the scalp moisture barrier further, Wong explained.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 25 Jan 24
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 25 Jan 24
