Pool Chemicals Effect on the Skin And How To Avoid Irritating Your Skin!

How does pool chemicals affect the skin?

Most people believe that swimming pool chemicals are suitable for the skin and that they help to fight off water bacteria and other floating germs. As much as this is true, if you are exposed to the chemicals for an extended period, they can negatively affect your skin. The leading chemical that is famously known for its negative effect on the human skin is chlorine. Due to its function in disinfecting water, it is also used in other household detergents. Some swimmers have complained of dry, flaky skin, especially people who have a history of suffering from eczema and other dry skin complications. According to experts, regular exposure to chlorine can also cause premature aging signs. The explanation given for this is that when in water, the skin pores open up and chlorine particles penetrate the skin and strip away sebum, water, and natural skin oils causing the surface of the skin to dry up and crack. This is what leads to the formation of small wrinkles and skin lesions.

How to protect your skin against swimming pool chemicals, here are some few skin protection techniques:

1. Rinse before swimming

Although our skins are technically waterproof, skins can absorb chemicals from the water, a reason why you experience some skin irritation after being in the pool so a while. Exposure to chlorine from the swimming pools can cause skin irritation as a reaction of dermatitis. To prevent this, wet your skin with non-chlorinated water just before you get into the swimming pool so that you limit the amount of chlorine that your skin can absorb.

2. Use Chlorine neutralizer

Before getting into the pool, rub chlorine neutralizer lotion all over your skin. It will prevent the chlorine from penetration through your skin and accelerating the formation of wrinkles. For people who have sensitive, dry skin, you can use a dry skin special formulation cream before getting into the pool. If you are swimming outdoors on a sunny day, make sure to put on some sunscreen because water magnifies UV rays.

3. Rinse your skin immediately you are done swimming

As soon as you get out of the pool, rinse off your entire skin with fresh water. In case you can access saltwater pools or oceans, it is always a better option than chlorinated pools. Saltwater pools do not require additional chlorine powder or tablet for sanitation, meaning that they are far less problematic to the human skin. Using a freshwater shower immediately after a dip in a chlorinated pool can help to minimize moisture loss because it is a way of making sure that your skin is not exposed to chlorine for an extended time.

4. Moisturize

You might have noticed that your skin becomes dry and sometimes cracked after being immersed in water for a long time. Even after rinsing off the skin to get rid of chlorine residue, you still need to moisturize your skin to trap any natural oil on the surface. Ensure that you are moisturizing while the skin is still dumped.

5. Exfoliate

Use a face and body scrubber all over your body at least thrice a week. This is meant to get rid of any chemical buildup as well as dead skin.