If your hair color is on the lighter side, you may have experienced it turning a green tint after a lot of time spent in your pool. The culprit is mainly copper and chlorine. Pools filled with well water are particularly susceptible to an overabundance of copper. Copper can also get in your pool water through certain algaecides, as well as your pool heater. Pool heaters contain copper which can leach into your pool if you have unbalanced water.
The copper in your water is oxidized by the chlorine, which then binds to the proteins in your hair. This results in a green tint to light colored hair, for the same reasons the Statue of Liberty turned green. It’s all about oxidation!
Avoid green hair with these easy tricks.
- Avoid copper-based algaecides.
- If your water has copper in it, use a filter on your hose that will remove the metal before adding water to your pool.
- Use a leave-in conditioner, hot oil treatment or swim cap to protect your hair from the copper and chlorine.
- Wet your hair with tap water before swimming. If your hair is already saturated it won’t “suck up” the chlorine and copper that’s in the pool water.
- Be sure to shampoo and condition your hair right when you’re done swimming to reduce the risk of getting green hair.
If your hair is already green…
A simple home remedy may get the green out and return your hair to its normal color. Try “washing” your hair with ketchup, tomato juice, lemon juice or vinegar to cause a chemical reaction that will lift the green out of your hair. If this doesn’t work, try a specialty shampoo or conditioner formulated to help with this issue, or consult with your hair salon for professional help.
Do you have another tip for avoiding or getting rid of green pool hair? Leave us a note in the comments!
We hope you are enjoying and sharing these pool tips with fellow pool owners. Please check back often for more of
Tracy’s Tips on our blog.
Tracy Dieselman – Owner
