Swimming is a fun activity for when the weather starts to warm up or as a sport/hobby. But swimming in a pool of chlorine and other chemicals is bound to have some effect not just on your skin but your hair. Many swimmers don’t think twice about hair care when it comes to swimming, which can make them prone to hair damage and discoloration.

While taking a leisurely dip in a pool may feel refreshing, the presence of pool water on your hair can be very damaging. The very chemicals used in a pool to keep you clean and destroy bacteria can also harm your hair by turning it green (yuck!) and drying it out. If you participate in water sports or are an avid swimmer, be prepared to deal with your hair. Chlorine is a major force to be reckoned with because this chemical breaks down the natural oils in the hair. This causes hair or any type to become dry, brittle, and dull.

Swimmers who color, perm or constantly put other types of chemicals in the hair are also asking for trouble when mixed with pool water. Ever stepped out of the pool and dried your hair to find it crunchy and straw like? That isn’t just a coincidence. If you’re guilty of subjecting your locks to chemical hair treatments and pool water, head to the salon as soon as possible. Perms and swimming will never go together so if you’re a swimmer sporting this hairstyle, immediately change your ‘do. If you love your permed hair, then get used to wearing a swimming cap. It may not look as great as whipping around wet hair, but it’s the only solution to keeping the chlorine’s bleaching effect away from your strands.

For swimmers suffering from green hair as a result of over exposure to the copper found in chlorine, there are a few alternatives to correcting this hair color gone wrong. Try using a shampoo and conditioner specially formulated to tackle “swimmer’s hair.” There are plenty of these types of hair products available that cater to swimmers. For an at-home remedy, try rinsing the hair with lemon juice or vinegar after swimming.

To protect your hair from becoming dry and weak and to avoid breakage, conditioning is key. Before stepping in the pool, apply a generous amount of deep conditioner to your hair. Top it off with a plastic bag and swim cap and you’re good to go. If you can’t stand the thought of wearing a swim cap (although doing so will save you a lot of grief), be sure to keep your hair from coming into contact with chlorine as much as possible and make deep conditioning a part of your daily hair care routine.

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