Between community pools, backyard pools, mountain lakes, and water parks, Colorado summers are built around water. But chlorine, salt, and mineral-rich water can wreak havoc on hair — especially color-treated, chemically processed, or naturally porous hair.
The damage isn't just cosmetic. Chlorine bonds to hair proteins, causing structural breakdown. Salt water dehydrates and roughens the cuticle. Minerals from hard water build up and create a barrier that prevents moisture absorption. And Colorado's high-altitude UV multiplies all of these effects.
This guide covers exactly what happens to your hair in different water types, how to protect it before you swim, what to do immediately after, and how to repair damage if it's already occurred.
Need help repairing pool or lake damage? Schedule a treatment appointment or explore our damage repair services.
How Different Water Types Affect Hair
Chlorinated Pool Water
Chlorine is a powerful oxidizing agent designed to kill bacteria. Unfortunately, it doesn't discriminate between pool bacteria and your hair's protein structure.
What happens:
- Chlorine bonds to hair proteins, weakening the structural integrity
- It strips natural oils, leaving hair dry and brittle
- It oxidizes artificial hair color, causing rapid fade and brassiness
- It can turn blonde hair green (a reaction with copper in the water)
Most vulnerable: Color-treated hair (especially blonde), chemically processed hair, porous hair
Salt Water (Natural Lakes, Oceans, Saltwater Pools)
Salt acts as a natural exfoliant — which is great for skin but harsh on hair.
What happens:
- Salt crystals create microscopic abrasions on the hair cuticle
- It draws moisture out of hair through osmosis (dehydration)
- It leaves a gritty residue that's difficult to rinse completely
- Salt + sun = accelerated protein breakdown
Most vulnerable: Dry or damaged hair, curly/textured hair (already prone to dryness)
Hard Water (Mineral-Rich Tap Water)
Colorado's water is notoriously hard, meaning it contains high levels of calcium, magnesium, and other minerals.
What happens:
- Minerals build up on the hair shaft, creating a barrier
- This barrier prevents conditioner and treatments from penetrating
- Hair feels weighed down, looks dull, and tangles easily
- Color can't deposit evenly over mineral buildup
Most vulnerable: Everyone in Colorado, but especially those with hard water at home
The Colorado Factor: Altitude + Water = Double Damage
At higher altitudes:
- UV intensity is 20–40% stronger, accelerating chemical reactions
- Lower humidity means hair dries faster, concentrating salt/minerals
- Temperature swings (hot days, cool nights) stress hair further
Prevention: What to Do Before You Swim
1. Wet Your Hair Thoroughly with Fresh Water
This is the single most effective pre-swim step. Dry hair acts like a sponge — it will absorb chlorinated or salt water eagerly. Wet hair is already saturated, so it absorbs less pool/lake water.
How to do it: Rinse hair in the shower for 2–3 minutes before putting on your swim cap or entering the water.
2. Apply a Protective Barrier
A lightweight oil or conditioner creates a physical barrier between your hair and the water.
Options:
- Coconut oil: Penetrates the hair shaft, provides excellent protection (best for thick/coarse hair)
- Argan oil: Lighter than coconut, good for fine to medium hair
- Leave-in conditioner: Creates a protective coating without heaviness
- Specialized pre-swim products: Like Ultraswim Pre-Swim Hair Defense
Application: Apply to damp (not soaking) hair, focusing on mid-lengths to ends. Avoid the scalp if you're prone to oiliness.
3. Wear a Swim Cap (Properly)
A swim cap isn't 100% waterproof, but it significantly reduces water exposure.
Tips for effectiveness:
- Put it on over damp, conditioned hair
- Tuck all hair inside — no stray strands
- Silicone caps are more comfortable and effective than latex
- Replace caps every 10–15 uses as they stretch and become less effective
4. Braid or Bun Long Hair
If you won't wear a cap, at least contain your hair. Loose hair has maximum surface area exposed to water and tangles easily.
Best styles:
- French braid: Most secure, minimal flyaways
- Low bun: Easy to do, keeps hair contained
- Twist and clip: Quick, works for medium-length hair
Immediate Aftercare: What to Do Right After Swimming
1. Rinse Immediately
Don't wait until you get home. Rinse hair with fresh water as soon as you're out of the pool/lake.
Why it matters: The longer chlorine/salt sits on your hair, the more damage it does. Immediate rinsing removes 80–90% of the damaging substances.
2. Use a Chelating Shampoo Once a Week
Chelating shampoos contain ingredients (like EDTA) that bind to minerals and metals, allowing them to be rinsed away.
When to use: Once a week during peak swim season, or immediately after swimming in a heavily chlorinated pool.
Our recommendations:
- Malibu C Swimmers Wellness Shampoo: Specifically formulated for chlorine removal
- Ouai Detox Shampoo: Gentle enough for weekly use
- Bumble and bumble Sunday Shampoo: Deep cleansing without stripping
Important: Chelating shampoos are clarifying — follow with a rich conditioner or mask.
3. Apply a Repairing Mask
After swimming (and shampooing if needed), use a deep conditioning mask to restore moisture and repair protein damage.
Key ingredients to look for:
- Proteins: Keratin, hydrolyzed wheat protein, silk amino acids (repair structure)
- Humectants: Glycerin, hyaluronic acid (attract moisture)
- Occlusives: Shea butter, jojoba oil (seal in moisture)
- Chelators: Citric acid, ascorbic acid (help remove mineral buildup)
Leave it on: 5–10 minutes with heat (shower cap + warm towel) for better penetration.
Repair Strategies for Existing Damage
If your hair is already showing signs of swim damage — dryness, brittleness, color fade, green tint — here's how to address it:
For Green Hair (Blondes)
The green tint comes from copper in the water binding to the hair.
DIY fix: Tomato juice or ketchup applied for 15–20 minutes can neutralize green tones (the red pigment counteracts green).
Salon fix: A color correction with a professional color remover or clarifying treatment.
For Extreme Dryness and Brittleness
Salon treatments:
- Bond Pro Treatment: Repairs protein bonds broken down by chlorine oxidation
- Custom Hydration Treatment: Intensive moisture infusion with hyaluronic acid and ceramides
- Keratin Treatment: Smooths the cuticle and adds protein structure
At-home care:
- Reduce washing frequency (every 2–3 days instead of daily)
- Use a pre-shampoo oil treatment 30 minutes before washing
- Sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce friction breakage
For Color Fade
Salon solutions:
- Gloss/Toner Refresh: Adds back pigment and shine without additional lightening
- Semi-permanent Color: Deposits color without developer, minimally damaging
- Color Correction: For severe fade or uneven color
At-home maintenance:
- Use color-safe, sulfate-free shampoos
- Apply a weekly color-depositing conditioner
- Always use heat protectant before styling
Product Recommendations for Swimmers
Pre-Swim Protection
- Ultraswim Pre-Swim Hair Defense: Creates a chlorine-blocking barrier
- Philip Kingsley Swimcap Cream: Specifically designed for swimmers
- Coconut oil (pure, unrefined): Inexpensive and highly effective
Post-Swim Cleansing
- Malibu C Swimmers Wellness Shampoo: Chelating formula for chlorine removal
- Paul Mitchell Shampoo Three: Clarifying but not stripping
- Nexxus Clean & Pure Nourishing Detox Shampoo: Gentle enough for frequent use
Repair and Moisture
- Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector: Bond-building treatment for damaged hair
- Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask: Intensive repair with keratin and argan oil
- Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Intensive Treatment: Repairs and strengthens
For Color-Treated Hair
- Pureology Hydrate Shampoo & Conditioner: Sulfate-free, color-safe, with UV filters
- Color Wow Color Security Shampoo: Prevents fade and brassiness
- Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Shampoo: Neutralizes yellow/orange tones
Summer Swim Schedule for Colorado Hair
Active Swimmers (3+ times per week)
- Weekly: Chelating shampoo + deep conditioning mask
- Bi-weekly: Leave-in pre-swim treatment before swimming
- Monthly: Bond pro treatment at the salon
- Every 6 weeks: Trim to remove damaged ends
- Every 8 weeks: Gloss/toner for color maintenance
Occasional Swimmers (1–2 times per week)
- Every 2 weeks: Chelating shampoo + deep conditioning mask
- Before swimming: Wet hair + apply protective oil
- Every 8 weeks: Hydration treatment at the salon
- Every 10 weeks: Trim
- Every 12 weeks: Color maintenance as needed
Vacation/Intense Swim Periods
- Pre-vacation: Bond pro treatment for protection
- During: Daily pre-swim protection, immediate rinsing after
- Post-vacation: Clarifying treatment + intensive mask at salon
Common Questions About Swim Hair Care
Q: Can I just use regular conditioner as a pre-swim protectant?
A: Yes, but oil works better. Conditioner washes out more easily in water. A light oil (like argan or coconut) creates a more durable barrier.
Q: How do I know if I have mineral buildup from hard water?
A: Signs include: hair feels coated/waxy even when clean, conditioner doesn't seem to work, color looks dull or uneven, hair tangles excessively. A clarifying shampoo should help — if it doesn't, you may need a professional treatment.
Q: My blonde hair turned green — is it permanent?
A: No, but it needs to be addressed. The green tint is copper deposits on the hair surface. A clarifying treatment or color correction at the salon can remove it.
Q: Should I wash my hair every time after swimming?
A: Yes, but not necessarily with shampoo. Rinsing thoroughly with fresh water immediately after swimming removes most chlorine/salt. Save the shampoo for when you need a full cleanse.
Q: Are saltwater pools better for hair than chlorinated pools?
A: Marginally. Saltwater pools still use chlorine (generated from salt), but at lower concentrations. They're less harsh than traditional chlorine pools but still require protection.
Q: Can swim damage cause hair loss?
A: Not directly, but severe damage can lead to breakage that looks like thinning. Chlorine can also irritate the scalp, potentially affecting hair growth. Protect your scalp with a swim cap or pre-swim oil.
Book a Swim Damage Assessment in Lone Tree
If your hair is showing signs of swim damage — dryness, brittleness, color issues — we can help. At Burman & Co, we assess the extent of damage and create a personalized repair plan that may include bond treatments, hydration treatments, or corrective color.
We serve swimmers from Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch, Centennial, Parker, Castle Rock, and across the south Denver metro.
Visit us: 8353 Willow St C1, Lone Tree, CO 80124
Call: (303) 706-9626
Book online: Contact Us
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