Does Chlorine Affect Hair Dye? How to Protect Dyed Hair in Pools

Nothing beats a refreshing dip in the pool on a hot summer day. But if you have color-treated hair, you may hesitate before jumping in, worried about how the chlorine will affect your beautiful dye job.

While a chlorinated pool can cause hair color to fade prematurely, there are precautions you can take to protect dyed hair. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll discuss:

• How chlorine interacts with hair dye
• The damaging effects of chlorine on colored hair
• Tips to prevent fading and damage before and after swimming
• How to care for hair post-swim to maintain color
• When to see a stylist about fixing faded dye
• FAQs about chlorine and hair color

How Does Chlorine Affect Hair Dye?

Chlorine is added to pools as a disinfectant to kill bacteria and other germs. But it can also be damaging to hair, especially color-treated strands. Here’s what happens:

• Chlorine bonds to the pigment molecules in hair dye, causing them to leach out of the hair shaft faster. This leads to rapid fading of hair color.

• The drying effects of chlorine degrade the hair cuticle layer, allowing more rapid loss of hair dye pigments.

• Chemical reactions can occur between chlorine and hair dye ingredients like peroxide, altering the original color.

• Over time, exposure to chlorine causes hair to become dry, porous, and brittle, leading to increased fading of color.

• Blonde and highlighted hair is especially vulnerable, as bleaching makes hair very porous and prone to pigment loss.

The Damaging Effects of Chlorine on Dyed Hair

Frequent swimming can cause noticeable damage to colored hair:

• Rapid fading: Hair color visibly fades and becomes dull after just a few swims. Roots and highlights turn brassy and warm-toned.

• Dry, brittle texture: Chlorine strips away the hair’s natural oils, leaving it parched. Hair becomes frizzy, fragile and prone to breakage.

• Altered tones: Chemical interactions with chlorine can change hair color, causing muddied tones like greenish-yellow.

• Dullness: Vibrant hair color loses its shine and depth. Strands become lackluster.

• Increased porosity: Cuticles open with damage, allowing more rapid loss of dye pigments when wet.

6 Tips To Protect Dyed Hair From Chlorine Damage

Safeguard your hair color investment before and after swimming with these pro tips:

1. Slather on a protective mask or oil

Coat hair in an oil or hydrating treatment to create a barrier against chlorine. Focus on saturated ends.

2. Wet hair before swimming

Saturate strands with clean water so they won’t absorb as much chlorinated water.

3. Wear a tight swim cap

A snug cap minimizes contact between hair and pool chemicals.

4. Rinse immediately after swimming

Rinse out chlorine thoroughly with cool, clean water as soon as you exit the pool.

5. Shampoo with a gentle clarifying or chelating formula

These remove chlorine without stripping hair. Avoid over-washing.

6. Use a hydrating conditioner and mask

Nourish parched strands with moisturizing conditioners and deep treatments.

How To Care for Dyed Hair After Swimming

Keep your color vibrant in between swims with a post-pool hair care regimen:

• Shampoo less often, only 1-2 times per week to prevent dryness and fading.

• Rinse hair with cool water instead of hot to close cuticles after shampooing.

• Apply a leave-in conditioner after every wash for added hydration.

• Use a Bond repairing or strengthening hair mask 1-2 times a week.

• Avoid brushing when wet to minimize breakage on fragile strands.

• Limit use of hot tools like blow dryers, flat irons and curling wands.

• Apply a heat protectant before heat styling to maintain integrity.

• Get occasional trims to snip away dry, damaged ends.

When To See a Stylist About Fixing Faded Hair Color

If your hair color looks significantly faded, dull, or brassy after swimming, make an appointment with your colorist for a refresh:

• After 4-6 weeks – Schedule a glossing service to revive shine and depth of color.

• After 6-8 weeks – Seek professional toning to balance unwanted warm tones in blondes and greys.

• After 8+ weeks – Request a full color refresh if your roots are overgrown or color has faded evenly all over.

Using professional salon-quality care products, following pro swim tips, and getting occasional color refresh services can help you maintain gorgeous hair color all summer long!

FAQs: Chlorine and Dyed Hair

Does chlorine turn blonde hair green?

Chlorine can turn bleached or highlighted blonde hair a greenish-yellow. This chemical reaction occurs because hair is very porous after lightening. Using purple shampoo and conditioner helps cancel out these tones.

Should you wet or dry hair before swimming?

Wetting hair before swimming is recommended, so it won’t absorb as much chlorinated water which causes color to fade.

Does salt water affect hair dye?

Salt water can cause subtle fading of hair dye over time. The effects are milder than chlorine but rinse hair post-swim and use a swimmer’s shampoo.

How soon after dyeing can you swim?

Wait 3-4 days after getting hair dyed or highlighted before swimming. This gives the color time to fully oxidize and set in the hair cuticle.

Does lemon juice help remove chlorine from hair?

Yes, lemon juice can help remove greenish chlorine discoloration from blonde hair. Rinse with diluted lemon juice after swimming, then shampoo as usual.

Does a swim cap really help protect hair color?

A tight fitting swim cap does help minimize exposure of dyed hair to the drying effects of chlorine. But some water can still seep in so take other precautions too.

How often should you dye hair to maintain color?

To maintain vivid color with minimal fading, plan to get a gloss or touch-up service every 4-6 weeks at your salon. Time varies based on your hair type and color choice.

Protect Dyed Hair From Chlorine Damage

While chlorine can cause hair dye to fade prematurely, there are many preventative steps you can take to safeguard your color-treated locks.

With a good clarifying shampoo, hydrating conditioner, and occasional salon refreshers, you can keep your hair color looking freshly done all season long. Contact Heather Annz Salon to book a post-pool rejuvenating hair treatment today!