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Splash safely: Do not let chlorine wreak havoc on your skin and hair

- Shifa Khan

CChlorine (in pools) often makes the skin flaky and itchy. It may even aggravate skin problems like eczema. DR NIVEDITA DADU, Dermatolog­ist*

ome summer and the first thing that we think of is a rejuvenati­ng swim session. Not only is swimming a great full-body exercise, spending time in the midst of calm, still water also refreshes the mind. However, swimming in public pools can take a toll on your hair and skin. In some pools, the pH level of the water isn’t checked very regularly or even once during the day, whereas it needs to be done every two hours.

“Chlorine may kill infection-causing bacteria and germs, but it damages the upper layer of oil (sebum) that our body produces to prevent the scalp and skin from drying out. Chlorine often makes the skin flaky and itchy, and if you have sensitive skin, it will cause rashes. Always remember to quench the thirst of the body for moisturisa­tion caused due to drying effects of chlorinate­d water. The chlorine may even aggravate skin problems like eczema,” shares Dr Nivedita Dadu, a dermatolog­ist, who lists some steps to protect your skin and hair from chlorine water, this summertime:

Apply a swim proof body lotion: Before going to swim, apply a swim body lotion. This will help create a protective barrier around the skin to neutralise chlorine absorption. Massage in some oil: Apply olive oil, coconut oil or baby oil before going into the pool. This will act as a barrier between the chlorine water and the skin.

Shower before the swim: If the skin is dry, it will quickly absorb the chlorinate­d water and it will reach deeper layers and cause even more damage. A quick shower will prevent the skin from absorbing a lot of chlorinate­d water. Also, take a quick shower after swimming as well, to prevent the chlorinate­d water from further drying out the skin.

Befriend vitamin C: Dadu suggests adding vitamin C to your regimen, as it is an antioxidan­t that protects the skin against UV damage. Topical vitamin C can help to reduce sun tan by inhibiting tyrosinase, a melaninpro­ducing enzyme in the skin.

Hydrate well: Dehydrated skin is likely to feel dry and rough. Hydrated skin, on the other hand, stays supple. Sip water to ensure that your skin is necessaril­y hydrated while swimming. This also helps purify the skin, replenish lost moisture and flush out chlorine or any other toxins that have been absorbed. Always apply sunscreen: Dadu says, “Sunscreen will not only protect the skin from the UVA and UVB rays while you swim, but it will also form a protective layer and prevent the water from the pool from coming in direct contact with the skin. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen at least 15-20 minutes before stepping into the pool for maximum protection.”

Prevent friction using a harsh towel: After the shower, do not rub the skin with a towel, as friction may remove the moisture barrier. Rubbing may also irritate sensitive skin.

Use a lip balm: Spending long hours in chlorine-treated water can contribute to cracked lips. Use a lip balm to prevent them from dryness and subsequent bleeding. Exfoliate regularly: Dadu says exfoliatin­g the skin once in a fortnight can help in removing any pigmented or dead skin cells. This can also reduce the appearance of dark and dulllookin­g skin. Chemical exfoliator­s, containing hydroxy acids, are a good option, if you are a regular swimmer.

Pro-Tip: One must avoid indoor pools, as they are not well ventilated and trap gases from the chemicals, causing more severe skin problems.

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