Tip of the week: Protecting yourself from chlorine
Clean thoroughly; Be careful with your eyes; Save your hair
Clean thoroughly. Chlorine in swimming pools kills bacteria but also irritates skin by removing moisturizing oils. After swimming, shower with soap and water or use a chlorine-fighting bodywash like Triswim.
Be careful with your eyes. Chlorine obviously burns eyes, and goggles go a long way to protect them. Wearing contact lenses prolongs irritation by holding in chlorine; you should throw these out. A better option: prescription goggles, “surprisingly affordable”at between $20 and $60.
Save your hair. “Slap on some hair product” before hitting the pool to prevent chlorine from drying out your hair. “Oil- and silicone-based products are best.” Wet your hair in a shower before diving in; that keeps it from soaking up too much pool water. And wash your hair as soon as possible after swimming.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Source: Health.com
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Scientists want to fight malaria by poisoning mosquitoes with human blood
Under the radar Drugging the bugs
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: March 31, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sudoku medium: March 31, 2025
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published