Regular exposure to salt water or chlorine in water can take a toll on skin and hair if not managed properly. Swimmers in oceans or chlorinated pools are exposed to environmental factors that can disrupt the body’s natural barriers. Rachel Falkner, M.D., an assistant professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Department of Dermatology, provides practical strategies to maintain healthier skin and hair without sacrificing time spent in the water.
Chlorine used to disinfect pools is a compound made from chlorine and other elements. Saltwater pools utilize dissolved salt that is created into pure chlorine through a generator, while the ocean’s salt water contains 10 times the amount of salt compared to saltwater pools.
Skin health
Swimmers should be aware of how water exposure affects sun protection and the skin after swimming.
“The abrasive salt and swimming can physically remove sunscreen,” Falkner said. “Additionally, chlorine can break down sunscreen ingredients and decrease their effectiveness.”
A typical amount needed for an adult to ensure skin stays protected is 30mL (about one shot glass full) reapplied at least every two hours.
Both chlorine and salt water can affect the skin by causing drying, or xerosis, irritant contact dermatitis or worsening underlying skin conditions, says Falkner. The chemicals can lead to loss of the skin’s protective barrier, causing excessive moisture loss.
Falkner says that, while true allergic reactions can occur, most skin conditions related to swimming are due to irritation.
“Because chlorine is drying, repeated exposure can cause itching and irritation,” Falkner said. “While rare, true allergies to salt water or water do exist. Aquagenic urticaria is uncommon but would present with small pinpoint urticarial wheals within 30 minutes of exposure.”
Treatment for a true saltwater allergy includes antihistamines and avoiding the trigger; however, these patients are able to drink water without reactions.
“Salt water in some respects can improve inflammatory conditions due to mild exfoliating effects and reduced oil production but can additionally be drying or irritating to the skin,” Falkner said. For individuals with already sensitive skin, salt water can contribute to irritation rather than improvement.
Falkner provides a few tips to improve skin’s health after swimming:
- Rinse immediately after exposure to chlorine or saltwater to avoid it drying on the skin and causing excessive irritation.
- Once rinsed off, use a gentle, non-fragranced cleanser, avoiding manual or chemical exfoliation products and using lukewarm water. Look for body washes that do not contain active ingredients like lactic acids, salicylic acids or glycolic acids and are non-fragranced.
- Immediately after showering, pat the skin dry and apply a thick, bland moisturizer with emollient. Generally, an emollient should be fragrance-free, not unscented, thick enough to scoop out by hand and for sensitive skin.
Hair health
Chlorine and salt water can make hair dry and more porous, leading to frizz and breakage. Chlorine causes further texture and roughness to hair, while salt water can cause tangling when salt dries on hair strands. Both chlorine and salt water can dull or fade chemically treated hair. “People with color-treated hair should avoid excessive exposure to chlorinated or salt water by tying hair up, wearing protective styles like a bun or braids, or wearing a swim cap,” Falkner said. “Wetting the hair before entering the water will stop hair from absorbing as much chlorine or salt water.”
All hair types should use a sulfate-free shampoo immediately after swimming. Falkner recommends a weekly clarifying shampoo if an individual is swimming regularly, followed by a gentle conditioner to replenish moisture.
Those with healthy hair typically will not damage their hair while swimming, unless they often swim with their hair down, which can create tangles. People who have damaged hair already can be impacted after only a few swims in chlorine or salt water.
The following symptoms should lead to a dermatologist visit for swim-related irritation or damage: redness, scaling, burning, persistent stinging or itching, blistering or painful skin, excessing hair breakage, or shedding with areas of thinning of the scalp.