If you’re lucky enough to have access to a pool, or a friend who has one, you’re likely in for a very cool summer 🙂 Nothing beats a quick dip in the water on a sweltering summer day, especially for city dwelling or suburban families who are far from lake and cottage country.
But chances are if you or your munchkins are fair-haired beauties, you might be avoiding the pool water so you don’t get dreaded swimmer’s hair. That’s right, the mean green tint that can mark its territory on your noggin, even if you were only underwater briefly!
There are a number of branded shampoos and treatments meant for pre or post swimming that are said to help prevent and treat the green, but as an alternative, here are some natural remedies thought to get your locks back to their original hue.
1. Wet your hair before going in chemically treated water. *This one I have tried, and it actually did help! The idea is that if you shower or otherwise wet your hair before entering a pool, the chemicals and algae won’t be interested in creeping towards your mane.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar + Water. This also worked in my family. We tried 1tbsp AVC per and 1 cup H20, and used it as a rinse. Though it did work to remove the green tint, I would not recommend prolonged use as it could make blonde hair brassy. My sister went through a phase of the “no-poo” shampoo method, and Apple Cider Vinegar was used to tone her hair after a “no-poo” baking soda treatment. Which leads me to…
3. Baking Soda + Water. This one I have not personally tried, and I’ve heard a lot of mixed reviews. Baking soda and water can be mixed together to form a pre-wash paste that substitutes for a shampoo. Though it is a well-known “urban legend” type household cure, the reviews are mixed 50/50 between diehard advocates and testers begging you to never put the concoction on your hair. The choice is yours, but I recommend doing some research before taking the plunge!
4. Tomato Paste or Ketchup. Like the previous remedies, tomato paste is thought to neutralize the chemicals causing the green. A few friends I spoke to who have tried this said it did in fact help. While I have not personally attempted this, I think it’s hilarious and would totally try it.
5. Blue Dawn Dish Soap. I feel like this is strictly internet legend, and would love to hear from anyone who has tried it. I certainly wouldn’t be beyond trying it if I came out of the pool looking like Oscar the Grouch!
Have you had a green hair scare? What did or didn’t work for you? Have you Ketchup-ed someone?? Let me know in the comments 🙂
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