Q&A for How to Get Chlorine Out of Your Hair

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Can coconut oil protect your hair from chlorine?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Yes. Applying something moisturizing to your hair before getting in a pool can help prevent the absorption of chlorine. Coconut oil or even regular conditioner will work.

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Question

Do you have to wash chlorine out of your hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Chlorine is extremely drying and should not be left in hair. However, you can rinse thoroughly and condition to remove it; you do not have to use shampoo.

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Question

How do you remove chlorine from your hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You can remove normal levels of chlorine from your hair with a thorough rinse and conditioning. If your hair is damaged or the chlorine levels are very high, you may need to shampoo or use baking soda to neutralize it.

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Question

Is it okay to leave chlorine in your hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

No, you should not leave chlorine in your hair. It is extremely drying, so be sure to rinse your hair and wash or condition it after swimming in chlorinated water.

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Question

How do I protect my hair before swimming?

Frankie Sanderson
Master Hair Stylist
Franklin (Frankie) Sanderson is a Makeup Artist and Stylist and the Founder of TheStudeo, a styling business based in Washington DC that specializes in hairstyling, makeup, and personal image consulting services. He specializes in hair extensions, chemical services such as highlighting, Balayage, Japanese straightening, keratin treatments, and designer cuts. He has a BFA in Fashion Design from Virginia Commonwealth University and has trained at the L'Oreal Soho Academy, TIGI, Vidal Sassoon, Redken, and Wella. His clients include Nicole Kidman, Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Tina Fey, Jane Lynch, and Alicia Keys.

Frankie Sanderson

Master Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

You should wet your hair and put a conditioner all the way through it before wrapping your hair and putting it inside a swimming cap. Then, as soon as you're done swimming, wash and treat your hair to help get any remaining water or chlorine out of it.

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Question

What should I do if I can't shampoo my hair right away?

Ashley Adams
Professional Hair Stylist
Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.

Ashley Adams

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

If you have access to a sink, you should at least try to wet your hair even if you don’t have shampoo. Waiting to shampoo your hair may lengthen the removal process, since removing chlorine can already be challenging. It may also cause your hair to feel drier than normal.

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Question

Can the baking soda trick be used on color treated hair and highlights?

Community Answer

Yes. Doing this after swimming is better than not removing chlorine at all.

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Question

Why not use apple cider vinegar added in the shampoo?

Community Answer

Shampoo, which is alkaline, will neutralize the acidic properties in the apple cider vinegar.

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Question

Will the baking soda make my hair dry out?

Community Answer

It actually depends on the hair type. If it is straight, then you are fine. If your hair is wavy and curly, don't use it.

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Question

Why is my hair falling out more quickly while I'm staying in Japan?

Community Answer

Chlorine is known to make hair fall out on occasion. Check the chlorine concentrations in your bathing water. It's possible the levels are higher than what you are normally accustomed to.

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Question

Can just rinsing it with water remove the chlorine?

Community Answer

No. The only way to remove chlorine is to use a clarifying shampoo.

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Question

Why are the tips of my hair green after swimming?

Community Answer

If you have blonde hair, the tips can turn green from the chemicals in the pool. Be thorough when you wash your hair after swimming and your hair color should return to normal. Consider wearing a swimming cap if you want to prevent green hair in the future.

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Question

Are you allowed to use conditioner when using the baking soda method?

Community Answer

Yes, there is no problem with using conditioner after you rinse out your hair.

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Question

How long does it take for the green tint to go away?

Community Answer

Try buying a special swimmers shampoo to get it out. Also, before you go in the pool, really wet your hair. It will absorb less chlorine that way.

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Question

Is there a particular brand of shampoo you would recommend?

Community Answer

Herbal Essences, Pantene, and Suave are some popular drug store brands. However, drug store shampoos tend to be too harsh on the hair (meanwhile, the conditioners tend not to be terribly effective). If you can afford it, any higher-end brand from a store like Sephora or Ulta should be good. Alterna is a particularly great, nourishing hair care brand.

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Question

My hair feels hard at the top of my scalp, how can I take that away naturally?

Courtnee Michelle Gallo

Community Answer

You could use a clarifying shampoo and a leave in conditioner to clean and soften your hair.

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Question

My hair dries out really easily, so I can't shampoo it often. How can I remove the chlorine?

Community Answer

When you go to the shower, wet your hair and put in conditioner. Leave it in for 1 minute and rinse.

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Question

How do you fix chlorine damaged hair?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

Try making a paste that will neutralize the chlorine and lift out any green color it deposited from your hair. Mix a ¼ cup (32 g) to ½ cup (64 g) of baking soda with enough water to make a paste. Spread the paste throughout your hair while it's damp, massaging it into your scalp. Then, rinse out the paste with water and shampoo. Follow up with a moisturizing conditioner to hydrate your hair, which may be extra dry from the baking soda. If you have lighter hair, you might need to repeat the process 2-3 times to get rid of the green color.

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Question

What shampoo is best for getting chlorine out of hair?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

Use a swim shampoo, which is a shampoo specially designed to remove chlorine from your hair. Wash your hair with a swim shampoo as soon as you get out of a swimming pool. Work it into a thick lather and let it sit in your hair for a minute or so before you rinse it out. Look for swim shampoos at pharmacies, beauty supply shops, or by ordering them online. Make sure you use a good, moisturizing conditioner after you wash your hair with shampoo so it's hydrated and smooth.

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Question

Is chlorine bad for your hair overnight?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

Yes, chlorine can be really damaging for your hair if you leave it in overnight. Chlorine is a harsh chemical that can dry out your hair and leave it really brittle. Additionally, if you have dyed or light-colored hair, the chlorine can turn your hair a greenish color, which can be difficult to remove once it sets in. Your best bet is to wash your hair with swim shampoo as soon as you get out of a pool to get the chlorine out of it. But even if you can't wash it out immediately, definitely take a shower and wash the chlorine out before you go to bed.

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Question

Can a special chlorine stripping shampoo be used every day? Do I shampoo with regular shampoo after that, then condition?

Community Answer

Don't use a special shampoo everyday. It may damage your hair follicles. You do not need to shampoo after that and condition, you can do that if you want.

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