Summer pool tips for skin, hair, and nails
3 tips beyond wearing sun protection
You might be surprised to hear that I love a day at the pool. Yes, I am covered in sunscreen, wearing a hat, under an umbrella, and wearing long sleeves, but I do love a day at the pool. In fact, I am writing this post poolside. As a kid, we went to the pool A LOT. My parents have a beautiful in-ground pool and we live across the street from the Fairmont Field Club pool. I love the hum of splashing water, kids squealing, and the excuse to read some of the stacks of magazines that I am always accumulating. But I digress, what about all those pool chemicals and the skin.
As a dermatologist, I rarely see the problems associated with pool chemicals. Most people don’t consult me for green hair and dry, itchy skin. However, the increased use of bromine as a pool chemical about 15 years ago changed things. It seems I see fewer bromine reactions each year, but it goes in spurts as a particular pool converts to bromine and its attendees’ skin has trouble adjusting. When a local health club converted to bromine many years ago, I saw a ton of patients with reactions.
Most problems with pool chemicals are an irritant NOT an allergic reaction. Most cases of skin irritation occur when the chemicals are too strong or a new chemical is introduced. The irritant reaction can be treated with topical steroids and a few preventative measures.
In all of the sources I reviewed most recommended the following as ways to keep your skin, hair and nails in good shape during pool use.
1- Rinse off your skin and hair prior to entering the pool. This allows the skin and hair to “drink in” regular water prior to exposure to pool chemicals.
2 – Apply a good moisturizer to the skin and a thick conditioner to the hair prior to swimming. Using a moisturizing sunscreen like Cerave achieves two in one for the skin. Aquaguard is a popular choice for the hair. Also, a nail conditioner like Elon would be helpful for the nails.
3-Rinse off again post swimming and if possible use a neutralizing shampoo and body wash like TriSwim.
I will highlight more of these products on social media this week, so join us!
With most skin diseases, pool chemicals will not irritate the condition. In fact, even with severe skin disease, dermatology experts at the NIH recommend a bleach bath to help control the skin disease. A pool is way more fun. If you do find that your skin condition seems to be irritated by pool chemicals, we can find ways to work around and treat that for the summer. So enjoy!
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