Clarifying Shampoo for Swimmers - Remove Chlorine

If you’re a frequent swimmer, whether you hit up the gym’s pool year round or simply worship the sun poolside in the summer, you’ve probably noticed that time in the pool can wreak major havoc on your hair. Swimming keeps you looking and feeling trim and fit, but you shouldn’t have to sacrifice good hair for these benefits. With the right beauty routine, you can correct chlorine-induced damage to hair using a clarifying shampoo.

What is Clarifying Shampoo?

A clarifying shampoo is a type of specially formulated hair product that is generally designed just for swimmers. The most common active ingredient in clarifying shampoo is known as acetic acid. This chemical will help strip your hair of the build up that causes discoloration and a lifeless appearance.

The purpose of clarifying shampoo is to strip the hair of excess buildup. Chlorine contributes greatly to this buildup, but other products can be culprits too. Hair spray, gel, mousse, hard water, salt water, heavy conditioners and some shampoos will all create a layer of buildup on your hair.

The acetic acid in clarifying shampoo for swimmers is the same type of chemical found in vinegar. If you’ve ever worked with homemade cleaning products, you know that vinegar is a popular ingredient for getting rid of everything from buildup in coffee pots to stains on the counter. You can put this chemical to work for you in shampoo form with products designed for swimmers.

When you swim frequently, your hair and body are exposed to many chemicals that can be damaging. Chlorine is the most notable culprit of pool-induced damage. Chlorine will dry out your skin and hair, resulting in a dull appearance.

Frequent swimmers may also notice dandruff in their hair. This flaking of the scalp is often caused by chlorine. A clarifying shampoo can help to ease dandruff symptoms as well as revitalize your hair.

How to Use Clarifying Shampoo

Clarifying shampoo for swimmers to reduce chlorine will help you battle unsightly buildup from time to time, but it is not meant to be used on a daily or even weekly basis. Using clarifying shampoo too often can strip you hair of the beneficial oils it needs to maintain a healthy appearance. Use clarifying shampoo no more than twice a month for the best results.

If you swim year round, a bi-weekly clarifying shampoo should become part of your regular routine. If you swim only occasionally, you can cut back on the shampoo to about once a month, or even once every two months. If you only swim in the summer months, skip the clarifying shampoo any time that you’re not hitting up the pool.

When you use clarifying shampoo, you should take your time to make sure the shampoo is carefully worked into every part of your hair. Begin by massaging the shampoo into your scalp for about 60 seconds. Rinse your hair thoroughly, then move on to the next step of the process.

After shampooing your scalp, work a second application of the clarifying product into the entire length of your hair. You should create a lather as you rub the shampoo throughout your hair. Let it sit for about two minutes before rinsing and follow this with a conditioner to moisturize your hair and keep it looking healthy.

Recommendations for colored hair

If you have colored hair, this will change your clarifying routine somewhat. You should clarify your hair just before you’re going to have it re-colored. Clarifying can cause new color to fade, but it will help your hair absorb color better if done right before the next application.

If you’re experiencing the signs of chlorine damaged hair, it’s probably time to use your clarifying shampoo again. Hair that is damaged by chlorine will appear dull, lifeless and frizzy. It can also begin to appear discolored, which especially noticeable in the case of blondes who may see their hair take on a greenish hue.

Most clarifying shampoos lack the moisturizers present in regular shampoo products. To make up for this, use an extra moisturizing conditioner. Many clarifying shampoos offer companion conditioning products specially designed to replenish the moisture that is stripped by the shampoo.

Choosing the Best Clarifying Shampoo Products for Lifeguards and Swimmers

There are many different types of clarifying shampoo for swimmers to remove chlorine on the market, but some are better for this purpose than others. Look for a product that’s specially designed for hair that comes into contact with pool chemicals, rather than one that is meant the clarify hair with product buildup. Good options to check out include:

• Ultra Swim Chlorine Removal Shampoo
• Triswim Anti-Chlorine Shampoo
• Aubrey Organics Swimmer’s Normalizing Shampoo
• Fairy Tales Lifeguard Shampoo
• L’Oreal Kids Extra Gentle 2-in-1 Swim & Sport Shampoo

Fairy Tales Lifeguard Clarifying Shampoo

Bio Ionic Clarifying Shampoo Remove Chlorine

Bio-Ionic Micro Hydration IonClarify Clarifying Shampoo

AG Hair - Re:new Clarifying Shampoo

Removes chlorine, mineral deposits Gentle color-safe formula.

Frederic Apple Cider Chlorine Removing Shampoo

Frederic Fekkai Apple Cider Clarifying Shampoo

Apple Cider has been used in South France to remove chlorine and residue from the hair.

Nexxus Aloe Rid Clarifying Shampoo Nexxus Aloe Rid Gentle Clarifying Shampoo, Removes Chlorine

Nexxus, Aloe Rid Shampoo to eliminate chlorine green and other pool or spa chemicals. Helps to combat swimmers hair and chemical build up. Never tested on animals. Made in U.S.A.

Trilogy Clarifying Shampoo

100% Organic Rose Hip Oil- Mentioned In Vogue

Back to Basics Clarifying Shampoo Back To Basics Clarifying Citrus Sage Shampoo

Made from a blend of grapefruit, mandarin, orange, lime, sage, and panthenol. This formula is proven to clarify hair by removing chlorine.

If you feel that your time in the pool is too taxing on your hair even with the help of a clarifying shampoo, you can take additional steps to protect your hair. Before you swim, work a moisturizing conditioner through your locks. Put a swim cap on over your hair without rinsing the conditioner out.

Swimming with your hair protected in a swim cap can help to minimize the effects of chlorine. You will still notice some buildup from frequent swimming, however, so using the above products about once a month is a smart step to keep things under control.

Other benefits of clarifying products

Keep in mind that clarifying shampoos will also reduce buildup from hair spray, salt water and other damaging products. If you spend the summer spraying your hair with various products and rotating from the beach to the pool, a clarifying shampoo will be a major asset to your beauty routine. Chlorine damage will happen with any contact with pool water, even if you only swim recreationally.

Clarifying shampoos should provide your hair with the TLC it needs to stand up to long hours in the pool. Consider adding an extra moisturizer for your skin to protect from the drying effects of chlorine there as well. With the right products there’s no reason to worry about limiting your time in the pool.