How to Protect Your Eyes & Hair While Swimming

Almost all swimming pools contain chlorine, which is used to keep the pool free of bacteria and debris.

The chlorine that is used in the swimming pools hardly can have any serious effect on your skin; it can irritate your eyes, but it does not have the same effect like undiluted chlorine.

Despite of this, it is always better to have some protection – a swimming cap and goggles.

Chlorine has a drying effect: when you enter a swimming pool without a swimming cap (or with a cap that doesn’t fit you well) your hair shafts will start absorbing chlorine which at some point will cause your hair becoming dry.

There are several steps you can take in order to prevent any damage caused by the chlorine.

Step 1: Before entering the swimming pool, you should take a shower (the majority of swimming pools require this).

If you have a possibility – wash your hair thoroughly before going to the pool. This will impregnate your hair shafts and will help your hair to absorb less chlorine when in the water.

Step 2: Use conditioner. After applying the conditioner comb your hair the way that all the ends are coated. This helps your hair to limit the amount of chlorine absorbed by your hair.

Note, that your hair should not be slippery, otherwise your swimming cap might slip off.

Step 3: Put on a swimming cap. Even if you have very short hair, use a swimming cap. For many people it is pretty difficult to put on the cap.

You need to hold the sides of the cap when you pull it over your forehead. If you have very long hair, do not try to put your hair under the cap from the first try.

Put the cap leaving the long hair in the back. When you are comfortable with your cap, twist your hair and afterwards tuck it under the cap.

Step 4: After you leave the swimming pool, remove your cap accurately not to damage your hair, thoroughly wash it with a soap or shampoo and dry it.

Wash your cap with fresh water, dry it and store – this will help to prolong the life time of your cap.
When in the swimming pool your eyes can get very irritated and that might disturb you while swimming.

If you are wearing contact lenses, you need to remove them before getting into the swimming pool as the chlorine absorbs like a sponge.

However, if you there is no way for you to swim without lenses, you need to keep in mind that the best you can do is to throw away your lenses after you exit the swimming pool.

As a second choice you can order swimming goggles. In many countries this is a quite affordable product. You can get one for around $$, depending on the brand, quality, etc.

It is suggested that you wear swimming goggles when in the swimming pool.

You need to get goggles that fit you perfectly, otherwise your eyes still can be in contact with water which in its turn may cause irritation. Probably all goggles are adjustable, so you can adjust them the way that is most convenient for you.

After exiting the swimming pool do not forget to rinse your goggles with fresh water and store them in a special case.

Take proper care of your swimming equipment and it will serve you for a long time!