Too much exposure to chlorine dries out the skin and causes irritation and itchiness. Continuous exposure to chlorine over several years can result in premature aging and can affect the skin's health tremendously. Rashes It is common to get rashes when exposed to chlorine for long periods of time.
Chlorine has antibacterial properties, so if your breakouts are caused by bacteria, a little exposure to chlorinated water can help reduce the size and amount of acne. Additionally, the same reason that chlorine is bad for your skin and hair generally is what makes it helpful for acne. That is, it can dry out acne.
Swimming in chlorine can strip the natural oils and moisture-retaining cells from your skin, nails, and even hair, leaving the skin extremely dry. Not only do these chemicals remove moisture, but this drying effect can also leave your skin irritated, red, and feeling scratchy.
The INSIDER Summary: Chlorine is commonly used to keep pool water clean. If can dry out your skin and hair by stripping away natural oils, according to dermatologists. However, dermatologists agree that chlorine is effective in cleaning pools to make them safe enough to swim in.
In fact, chlorine can be harmful to your eyes, hair, nails, lungs, and yes, even your skin. Not only that, but depending on your age, existing skin condition, and several other factors including the balance of chemicals in the water, chlorine can be anything from irritating to extremely harmful to your skin.
Showering After Exiting the Pool
Showering will get rid of the chlorine and any foreign agents you may have picked up from the pool. Make sure to rinse your hair and wash your swimsuit after you swim. Showering after you swim will keep your skin from becoming dry.
However, regular and prolonged exposure to chlorinated water can be bad for your skin and hair, especially if you have acne-prone skin. Chlorine and other chemicals can cause acne to flare up as well as worsen other existing skin conditions.
Some research indicates that bathing and showering in chlorinated water may actually be more harmful then drinking it. When we bathe, the hot water causes the pores of the skin to enlarge which allows the body to readily absorb the chlorine and associated chemicals.
Breathing high levels of chlorine causes fluid build-up in the lungs, a condition known as pulmonary edema. The development of pulmonary edema may be delayed for several hours after exposure to chlorine. Contact with compressed liquid chlorine may cause frostbite of the skin and eyes.
Our skin has melanin which is responsible for our skin's colour. When this pigment comes in contact with UV rays it is produced in excess leading to pigmentation or tanning. The water in a swimming pool contains chlorine salts which, together with the sunrays can cause excessive tanning of the skin.
While you swim laps or tread water, you only feel the smooth, cooling glide of it over your skin. On a microscopic level, the force of the water lifts dead skin cells away and gently exfoliates dry patches you might not even notice. Exfoliation is the way to achieve a radiant glow without additional beauty products.
A good amount of chlorine is suitable for skin
The reason is that chlorine acts as an antibacterial agent. These chemicals kill all the bad acne-causing bacteria on your skin while simultaneously drying out excessive oils. Besides, soaking up extra sunlight also helps to keep the skin clean and clear.
Think of your week at the beach as a much-needed exfoliation! Like salt, chlorine might actually break up and destroy any pollutants or oils hiding deep in your pores.
Chlorine strips away essential oils from your skin and opens your skin's pores, causing dry skin. Prolonged exposure to chlorine can cause rashes on your skin which can turn into blisters if they come into further contact with chlorine.
The Effect of Chlorine on Skin
Too much exposure to chlorine dries out the skin and causes irritation and itchiness. Continuous exposure to chlorine over several years can result in premature aging and can affect the skin's health tremendously.
After a few hours, the itching and rash disappears. However, about 10–15 hours after the initial rash the papules and itch return. The rash appears as small, itchy red bumps that can turn into blisters. It usually clears up within a week.
Chlorinated water can make your hair dry and weak, which can cause breakage. While regular tap water contains chlorine, it usually doesn't contain enough to be a problem for regular showers. But the increased amount found in pools can have damaging effects on your hair and skin with more frequent exposure.
The smell of bleach in your water is the direct result of it being treated with too much chlorine. You have no control over the amount of chlorine in your water but you can try contacting your local utility company if it is a serious problem.
After the Pool
Do not be alarmed if you smell the chlorine leaving your body, the salt is just pulling it all out of your skin. The “Detox Bath” is designed to open up the skin's pores. The Epsom Salt pulls out the bad stuff and the baking soda neutralizes it so it's not pulled back into your skin.
Does Boiling Water Remove Chlorine? Yes, boiling water for 15 minutes is one way to release all the chlorine from tap water. At room temperature, chlorine gas weighs less than air and will naturally evaporate off without boiling. Heating up water to a boil will speed up the chlorine removal process.
Is chlorine good or bad for eczema? Chlorine in pool water may dry out your skin. This may worsen your eczema symptoms. On the other hand, chlorinated water may reduce the level of bacteria on your skin.
Linda Thornton, a Podiatrist, revealed no conclusive results on the effects of chlorine on nail growth.
Chlorine is a bleach, and it will cause hair pigment to lighten. Color treated hair may fade and become less shiny. Chemically treated or permed hair, which is already porous and protein damaged, will tend to absorb chlorine, becoming further damaged and over processed.
Why Do Swimmers Not Shave? Swimmers are generally asked not to shave a month or two leading up to a big swimming competition. This allows for hair to grow out creating drag in the water when training. Swimmers will then shave right before the competition leading to a smooth and fast feel in the water.
The pre-swim shower helps minimize the irritating, smelly substances formed in pool water when impurities introduced on the bodies of swimmers combine with chlorine. Many people identify that smell as the smell of chlorine.