How To Get Rid Of Green Hair From Swimming

Swimmer’s hair, or green hair, is a condition that affects people who frequently swim in chlorinated pools. Those with light colored hair usually notice the discoloration before those with dark hair. This does not mean that light hair discolors quicker than dark hair. Rather, it is easier to see the discoloration on blond, white and grey hair. The green color is caused by a buildup of copper, a component commonly found in swimming pools, according to an article by German researchers published in 1997. Buildup does not occur from an occasional dip in the pool. It takes hours of repeated immersion over a period of days, weeks and months to turn hair green.

Step 1

Wet hair, and work a liberal amount of clarifying shampoo into the hair. Massage into a lather, and wait five minutes before rinsing with warm water. Towel dry, and comb through to remove tangles. Set hooded dryer, if you have one, to medium heat and turn it on.

Step 2

Mix clarifying powder treatment and ¼-cup hot water in a bowl until blended into a thickened gel. Work the treatment through the hair from the roots to the ends using your fingers and the palms of your hands.

Step 3

Cover hair with plastic cap, and place head under pre-heated dryer. Use a hand-held hair dryer in place of a hooded dryer by holding the dryer 12 inches from the head and distributing heat evenly over the plastic cap. Set the timer for 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the severity of the buildup. Rinse completely with warm water. Condition the hair as usual. Dry and style as preferred.

Step 4

Repeat treatment once a week until all buildup is removed.

Tips and Warnings

Good Housekeeping recommends wetting hair down completely before getting in the pool. (reference 3) Wet hair cannot absorb more liquid from the pool; therefore, it will absorb less copper and chlorine than dry hair. Rinse hair immediately upon exit from the pool. If possible, shampoo and condition the hair to remove chlorine and copper from the hair as soon as you get out of the pool. Swimming caps protect hair from discoloration and damage caused by harsh pool chemicals. If you are a frequent swimmer, invest in a swim cap and wear it each time you swim.