Swimming and skin

[Xztop]

Is anyone here a frequent swimmer?
I want to start for fitness but I'm worried about the chlorine ruining my skin, I'm 42 so want to keep it looking good as long as I can

I use the speedo swim cap for long hair. It doesn't stop the edges from getting wet bit keeps 95% of my very thick long hair dry . For my skin I use a Korean Italy towel to scrub the chlorine off with bar soap and then moisturize. It works!!

If you soak your hair thoroughly with normal water in the showers, then put on a swimming cap, before you go in, your hair won't soak up so much chlorinated water.

@TheHeathenOfSuburbia I used to use Boots Swim and Gym shampoo, but that seems to have disappeared, so now I buy the Decathlon one which is works. I then use a leave in conditioner when I get home

@savvy7

Swimming is great for your skin (as is any exercise). My hair does dry out a little, especially at the moment as you can't shower at the pool currently due to Covid restrictions.

Evidence for 'swimming is great for your skin'?

I still can’t use the showers properly at my pool, so I have a quick rinse after swimming. It can be a few hours before I can have a proper shower but my skin and hair have been fine. I wash my hair with normal moisturising shampoo and conditioner. Once a week I deep condition it. I use a moisturising shower gel and normal moisturising lotion. My hair is coloured very dark brown and I get my roots done every few weeks. I’ve never had any problem with swimming affecting my hair and skin.

Errr ... my experience? What an odd question

I am a similar age to you and swim regularly (when allowed!) without any problems in my usual municipal pool.

I did once attend a pool in a private gym that caused me itching problems and changed the colour of my cossie. So, l would suggest if you find a pool that suits you, stick to it.

Swimming cap
Almond oil in shower
Two deep conditions afterwards

I have problems with chlorine itch - I take an empty bottle to the pool with me with some vit c capsules in - I fill it with water at beginning of swim and by the time I am out the capsules have dissolved - I give it a good shake and slather over body and hair and wait ten seconds before showering - seems to work (vit C reacts with the chlorine and neutralises it) as stops me getting the dreaded itch.

@savvy7

Errr ... my experience? What an odd question

Well, that is not evidence is it? And it goes against common sense which tells me that being immersed in water and chlorine is drying for the skin. If you know differently, it would be good to have an explanation.

@Gwenhwyfar common sense isn’t evidence either

I'm with Savvy on this. Any exercise is great for the skin as it gets the blood flowing and movement is good. Mine looks great the more I swim.

A key thing with swimming is to remember to lots of water afterwards (or during a swim). Many people forget to do it as because they are in water they don't realise they may become dehydrated.

"ny exercise is great for the skin as it gets the blood flowing and movement is good. "

But being immersed in water dries out your skin. As does chlorine.
You may decide to swim because of the other benefits, but you can't claim it's not drying unless you can show some of the science for that.

Opinions can be expressed on Mumsnet without scientific evidence ... rolls eyes ...

For your hair if you get it wet before you put on a cap then it doesn't absorb much chlorine. I don't like the swim shampoo so don't use it, I just use normal shampoo (and don't use conditioner because it irritates my skin). I'm from a family of swimmers (I swim 4x a week and the DDs are both in swimming club), if you don't wear a cap then eventually the chlorine build up makes your hair have a distinctive 'glittery' look, when my hair was very short I didn't mind that too much, but with longer hair it starts getting thick and sticky. The nuclear approach if you haven't worn a cap is to wash your hair with washing up liquid (do NOT get it in your eyes) which strips your hair of all the chlorine (and everything else!). You then need to condition it but it goes very soft after that. If you don't want to wear a cap then you'll need to do this monthly.

I've not had any issue with my skin, as PPs have said the benefits of swimming outweigh any negatives, the increased blood flow makes your skin glow. I think your skin absorbs so much water during your swim that moisturing afterwards is much more effective than after a shower (ormaybe it's the blood flow thing again). I have very dry skin on my feet (get bleeding cracks in my heels etc if I don't moisturise) but find I can use foot cream with lower % urea after a swim than on days when I don't swim so for me swimming has positive effects on my skin.

I swim twice a week when the pool is open. Chlorine improves my skin if anything. I just shower in plain water afterwards to get rid of most of it. Hair is fine.