Going swimming is a great way to beat the heat in the summer time. Backyard pools quickly become popular spots to relax and enjoy those long summer days. Whether you are enjoying your backyard pools in the summer or utilizing them as much as you can throughout the year, keeping your hair clean is important, especially for those with light-colored hair. Here at Greenville Pools, we encounter people every year asking about how they can fix or prevent their hair from getting a green tinge after swimming. Here is some great information that we hope will assist you.
Green hair is not the fault of algae growing in your hair (an old wives’ tale), but rather the fault of copper. Very small trace amounts of copper are found in water, even tap water, and are harmless. However, when you go swimming, the chlorine in the water attracts and binds to the copper minerals in the water, which then like to bond to the protein molecules in your hair. Copper turns green when oxidized and, like the Statue of Liberty, will give off a green hue.
Prevention is the best way to prevent green hair. Saturating your hair with water and using a deep conditioner before swimming makes it much harder for the copper to bond with your hair. Utilize a swim cap if you are a frequent swimmer, and always wash your hair thoroughly after swimming. If your hair already has a green tinge, there are many home remedies that are helpful, such as a paste of baking soda massaged through the hair, applying ketchup and letting it sit for several minutes before washing and rinsing, and rinsing your hair with apple cider vinegar.
If you have additional questions about backyard pools, we would love to help. Contact us today to learn more.