How to Prevent & Fix your Hair from Turning Green in the Pool

The summer vibes are going strong. You’ve just rocked up to the pool. You remember your colourist telling you not to get your newly bleached, perfectly blonde hair wet… But how bad could one dip really be? A couple swims later, and you’ve got hair that would give Kermit a run for his money. 

There’s no need to freak out, though! We’re here to talk you through why your hair has turned green, how to prevent it next time and how to fix it.

Why does your hair turn green in the pool?

You’ve probably heard that chlorine is the reason your hair turns green. That’s mostly true, but the actual culprit is copper! 

The best example of copper oxidation is sitting in the New York harbour: the Statue of Liberty. While it’s now an iconic shade of green, the Statue of Liberty’s exterior is made of copper, and as such, was a coppery shade that would match your fave influencer’s kitchen. The copper oxidised over time and turned into the recognisable green shade we know and love today.

The exact same thing happens when you get in the pool with bright blonde hair. Copper is present in the pool water, and when it oxidises, it turns things green. So, don’t worry. You’re not the only girlie with a fresh green do. Lady Liberty is right there with you.

Why is there copper in the pool?

There are a couple ways that copper can work its way into a pool. 

The first is the water itself. If the local water supply has a high copper content, and then you use that water to fill up the pool, then your pool is going to have some copper in it! The second is in algae-killers, because copper is so effective at killing off algae. And the third is in pool mineral sanitisers for the same reason.

How does copper turn your hair green?

When metal is exposed to the water and chlorine, it oxidises. It’s the reason why you may have pool stains that have a greenish tinge. That oxidised metal then binds to the proteins in hair strands. That means that all hair can end up with oxidised copper in it. It’s just that it won’t show in darker hair colours. Because blonde hair is so much lighter, the green of the oxidised metal is visible. 

That’s how you end up with green hair after going in the pool!

How to prevent your hair from turning green in the pool

If it’s not too late for your freshly highlighted hair, then here are some steps you can take to prevent that green tinged fate!

  • Wear a swimming cap. Throwback to your childhood swimming lessons and slap a swim cap on! It’s not the most Insta-worthy of looks, but you’ll be laughing when your hair is in perfect condition after your holiday. It’s by far the easiest and most effective way to keep your hair safe from copper.

  • Use a leave-in conditioner. Applying this to your hair before you go swimming will coat your hair shaft, and make it more difficult for the copper to attach itself to your hair.

  • Use apple cider vinegar. Rinsing your hair with this before you swim seals the hair cuticle, which can also make it more difficult for copper to attach itself and turn your hair green.

  • Wash your hair immediately. As soon as you get out of the pool, wash your hair. Don’t let it dry first.

  • Use chelating shampoo. Take washing your hair an extra step by using a shampoo with a chelating agent in it. We absolutely LOVE Olaplex’s No.4C for its clarifying powers.

  • Use a hot oil treatment. After shampooing, before you go swimming, apply hot oil to your hair. It will seal the hair cuticle, protecting it from metals, and from drying chlorine.

How to fix blonde hair that’s turned green

If you have had a bit of a holiday-mare with your hair, don’t worry. All hope isn’t lost! There are ways to get your hair a bit closer to the blonder tones you’re used to.

  • Use Olaplex No.4C as a chelating treatment. This is better as a preventive treatment, but if you weren’t able to wash your hair right after swimming, using a chelating shampoo on green hair may take some of the tint out.

  • Use apple cider vinegar. Acetic acid is also used to clean copper. It’s also found in vinegar! Give your hair a good rinse with it and you may see some, if not all, of that green come out.

  • Use tomato ketchup. No, really. We mean it! Tomato ketchup contains both vinegar and acetic acid, so it’s a double whammy on that oxidised copper in your hair. But you can’t exactly rinse with it. Instead:

  1. Apply it as you would conditioner, working it through every strand of your hair.

  2. Cover your hair with a shower cap.

  3. Let it sit for 30 minutes.

  4. Thoroughly wash your hair. Then wash it again to make sure all the ketchup—and the copper—is gone.

  5. Apply conditioner.

  6. Rinse thoroughly.

  • Use baking soda. Don’t have any ketchup on hand? Mix ¼ to ½ a cup of baking soda with water to make a thick paste. Apply it to your hair, and massage it through every strand. Rinse it out, then wash and condition your hair. Baking soda isn’t as strong as acids, so you may need to do it more than once.

Green hair isn’t the only pitfall of sunning it up on holiday! If you’re struggling with dry, dull, lifeless hair after your hols, book an appointment to get back to your #hairgoals.

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