We know it’s good to “go green” for the environment, but that doesn’t mean we want green hair! Are you a blonde that avoids swimming in a pool due to worry about the chlorine turning your hair green?
Believe it or not, the chlorine isn’t solely responsible for the change in hair color. Copper- yes, the metal- is actually the culprit. The chlorine causes a chemical reaction, leading the copper to oxidize. This oxidized metal binds to hair proteins in your blonde strands, and the copper causes a green tint to occur.
How does copper get into your pool? Copper often enters a pool via well water, but can also enter the pool water from certain copper-based algaecides (a biocide used for killing and preventing the growth of algae). Additionally, Swim University says that this copper oxidation can also occur in a saltwater pool!
Luckily, there are a few ways to reduce the risk of your blonde locks going green. Home test strips are available to check the amount of copper in your pool, or you can take a sample of your water to get it professionally checked. Blue Ribbon Pools actually does water sampling in-store at our Port Orange Outdoor Lifestyle shop!
If there is copper present in your pool, you can remedy by this by ceasing to use copper-based algaecides in your pool and by using a hose filter to fill the pool if you have copper in your water. Another wait to prevent your hair from turning green is to use a leave-in conditioner on your hair before you get in the pool, and wash your hair right away after exiting.
Is it too late and your hair is already green? Luckily, there are a few home remedies. Without getting too deep into chemistry, there are shampoos available that “chelate” the copper. “Chelate” is a chemical compound in the form of a heterocyclic ring, containing a metal ion attached by coordinate bonds to at least two non metal ions. In plain terms, it’s going to cancel out the oxidation of the copper.
If you don’t want to run out and buy a specialty shampoo, both tomato juice and ketchup can get the green out of your hair! Let it sit on your hair for five to ten minutes, rinse, and then was out with your regular shampoo!
With this info, blondes can have just as much fun in the pool as they have out of it!