When chlorine binds with those organic compounds, it creates chloramines. Chloramines are the real villains here. They’re what makes your eyes sting and your hair feel like straw. The good news? You can neutralize them before they bond to your skin and hair, or scrub them off after they do.
Think of it like a party crasher. You want to kick the chloramines out before they make themselves at home. And you really don’t want them sleeping on your pillow tonight.
Pre-Swim Strategy: The Shower Hack
Here’s the trick that blew my mind. Shower before you get in the pool. I know, I know—you haven’t even gotten wet yet. But wetting your hair and skin with tap water (which is usually not chlorinated) fills your pores and hair follicles with plain water, leaving less room for chlorinated water to soak in.
It’s like filling a glass with water before you pour in a blue dye. There’s simply less space for the bad stuff. Plus, you’re rinsing off the sweat and lotion that create chloramines in the first place. You’re basically being a good Samaritan for the whole pool. You’re welcome, lifeguards.
