Many people choose swimming as physical exercise and weight loss. But soaking in a water bath containing chlorine certainly affects the skin more or less.
Many people who swim regularly complain of common problems such as dry skin and hair, rashes, acne breakouts, and sensitivity to the sun. So, let’s see what its harm to our skin.
Swimming is the best full-body workout for your health
Premature aging caused by dryness and protein damage
Chlorine can seep into your skin through open pores. Over a period of time, this can damage your skin and cause premature signs of aging. Chlorine also tends to strip the skin of the natural oils that keep skin supple and protected against the elements, causing it to dry up and crack, which may lead to wrinkles and lines.
Dry and flaky skin
While an occasional dip in the pool may not affect your skin noticeably, spending long hours each day swimming and soaking in chlorinated water will, of course, exacerbate its affects on the skin. If you have sensitive skin, you may develop a rash or suffer from dry and flaky skin.
Causing acne
While chlorine is good at getting rid of the harmful bacteria that make us sick, it is also capable of killing off good bacteria and beneficial microflora on which our healthy skin relies. Certain studies have shown that chlorinated water also destroys vitamin E and polyunsaturated fatty acids. This can cause a lot of damage to your skin than you might think. This can cause your skin to excess production of oils to make up for the lack thereof. And acne caused by excessive oil production and pore-clogging is very understandable.
Weakening your skin
When your skin is directly exposed to the sun, it triggers the production rate of melanin. Melanin is already there in the skin. But, sun exposure increases its rate of synthesis, which causes skin darkening. As chlorine water breaks your skin barrier, there is nothing that can protect it from UV damage. This leads to sunburns and extreme tanning
How to protect your skin?
It’s important to know just how to care for your skin the next time you jump into the pool for your refreshing workout.
Sunscreen along the way
Whatever it is important, it must be emphasized 03 times. It’s true, sunscreen is a necessary item for anyone. Using waterproof sunscreen is not just a fancy practice to avoid tanning. The lotion will also form a protective barrier on top of your skin, keeping the chlorine from drying it out excessively. It will also prevent sun damage (and premature aging if you are a regular swimmer).
Apply the products every 15 minutes before getting into the pool, this gives your skin ample time to absorb the sunblock and form a thick barrier.
Quick Shower before you go to the pool
A quick shower before going into the pool is a must, especially when swimming in a public pool. While taking a shower before taking a dip might sound unnecessary, it prevents the pond water from becoming too dirty. A shower is also crucial in hydrating your skin cells; hence hindering them from absorbing the pool water. This way, your sunblock barrier is strengthened.
Stay hydrated
By drinking enough water, your skin stays hydrated. Therefore, stay hydrated throughout the day and keep on sipping more water as you swim. If you don’t drink enough water, your skin will end up absorbing the pool water due to a lack of moisture. Remember your skin is like a sponge, as long as it’s moisturized, it can’t absorb extra amounts of chlorine.
Moisturize your skin
You already know you usually need to rinse off before entering the pool, per the listed rules. But if you wait until you get home to shower after a swim, you’re doing your skin a disservice. “Rinse off right after!” cautions Dr. Kristina Goldenberg, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “Do not let the chlorinated water sit on the skin for a long period of time,” she warns. Warm-to-cool, clean water is best to avoid additional dryness. After rinsing off, reapply a moisturizer to restore hydration to the skin.
Adjust your diet
Nourish your skin from within by eating a diet rich in radiance-boosting essential fatty acids and omega-3 (great for plump, healthy skin). How? Up your salmon intake, snack on nuts and avocados, and sprinkle omega 3-rich chia seeds over salads, puddings, and smoothies. Moreover, it is not a bad idea to start drinking herbal teas that have rich antioxidant content. This will help relieve the stress of oxidative damage on your skin. The teas will supply your skin with antioxidants which will, in turn, neutralize free radicals that can wreak havoc on your skin. Moringa tea and green tea are two great options to choose from.
Nutrition diet will help you beautiful from inside
You can refer to this article for more details:
Although the chlorine in the pool might cause some damage to your skin, you just need to take a better treatment for your skin to make sure you beautiful both inside and outside. Don’t let it take away your joyfully time in the pool!
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