How to Fix Chlorine Damaged Hair – It’s the dead of summer, and it’s HOT outside. If you have access to a swimming pool, you’re probably spending a lot of time cooling off in it. This feels so good at the time, but can really wreak havoc on your hair.
Chlorine not only dries out hair, but can also affect the tint. If have dark hair, you’ll probably fare better than blondes who run the risk of stepping out of the pool with green locks, but we’re all still prone to chlorine’s harsh effects.
If you’re a swimmer, it’s really important to use a shampoo that is formulated for chlorine removal, and most clarifying shampoos do the trick. What’s a clarifying shampoo? Well, it’s basically any shampoo that’s designed specifically to de-gunkify; remove build up from hair products, oil, and chlorine. ”Hey, aren’t all shampoos supposed to do that?” Well, yes, insofar as all shampoos are supposed to clean your hair. But, clarifying shampoos go the extra mile by really digging deep and getting every ounce of gunk out; think of as the difference between brushing your teeth at home versus getting a cleaning at the dentist: both are good, but one is stronger.
When you use clarifying shampoo, make sure you use a moisturizing conditioner, as this type of shampoo is pretty serious on cleaning but not as much on softening/hydrating.
Some clarifying shampoo brands include Suave Professionals Daily Clarifying Shampoo or V05 Herbal Escapes Clarifying Shampoo, both available at your local drug store. If swimming is your primary concern and you don’t use a lot of hair products, try UltraSwim Chlorine Removal Shampoo and Conditioner. 
This product does an excellent job of removing chlorine and protecting hair against chlorine related damage. Paul Mitchell makes a great cleanser called “Shampoo Three” that contains an ingredient specifically formulated to remove chlorine from hair. The product description itself says that it helps prevent “chlorine green” for swimmers.
If you are a devoted swimmer shampoo your hair with shampoo and baking soda twice to remove the chlorine from your hair after each swim. Then use a good instant conditioner to nourish the hair to restore some shine back into the hair.
If you’re opting for a more natural product, try Aubrey Organics‘ Swimmer’s Normalizing Shampoo for Active Lifestyles. It uses organic corn syrup, citric acid, and organic shea butter and aloe vera to both remove all the chlorine and buildup and restore moisture.
Happy swimming!