Anyone who's ever had his or her hair turn green after swimming in a chlorinated pool can attest that chlorine can be harmful to hair color. While chlorine works to kill bacteria in both swimming pools and drinking water, it can also dry out hair and skin. Many regular users of chlorine swimming pools choose to offset the chemical's aftermath of itchy skin and green-tinted hair by using chlorine removal shampoo.
There are many chlorine removal shampoo manufacturers, but all brands have similar components to counteract the effects of chlorine. One of the major components is sodium thiosulfate, which is a reducing agent that acts as a combiner of chlorine and hypochlorous acid to reverse the damage caused by the swimming pool or over-chlorinated water. Many of these types of shampoos also have citric acid, which helps to block the formation of soap scum in hard water. Swimmers and those who have high chlorine levels in their local water supply typically find a chlorine removal shampoo to be a good hair care choice.
Chlorine removal shampoo acts as a clarifying agent to remove chlorine deposits in the hair, eliminate any green tint, and help prevent further damage. These shampoos also aid in alleviating itchy skin caused by chlorine, and moisturize hair that is often dry after swimming. Some chlorine shampoos also remove salt and styling products, like hair gels. Many users also believe the shampoo helps to prevent sun damage.
Some people are more prone to chlorine hair problems than others. Blonds are typically the victims of the green-tinted hair, because blond hair usually has a thinner hair shaft than other colors. Many blonds highlight and bleach their hair, which also makes it more susceptible to the negative affects of chlorine. When hair has been dried out and damaged from coloring or perms, it usually has the residual chemical of ammonium chloride. This chemical combines with copper ions, resulting in the green coloring.
Many believe that chlorine can be just as easily removed with home remedies, including rinses of cola and lemon juice, baking soda, Alka-Seltzer®, or vinegar. Some believe that by simply rinsing the hair with clean water immediately after leaving the swimming pool, and regularly shampooing and conditioning the hair, no special chlorine removal shampoo is necessary. Everyone has different types of hair, so what works for one person might not be an effective option for another.