Does Chlorinated Water Cause Hair Loss?

Chlorinated water cannot make one bald directly, but it may brittle hair and scalp resulting in more breakage and shedding. It also removes natural oils in the hair leaving them dry, brittle, and easily broken. Chronic exposure can also be seen to irritate the scalp and affect the health of follicles, which indirectly leads to hair thinning.

According to Dr. Harikiran Chekuri, a seasoned Plastic Surgeon, 

“Although chlorine itself has no long-term effects on the follicle loss, long-term exposure may destroy hair shafts, which becomes weak and is easily broken unless appropriate precautions are observed.”

Frequent exposure to chlorinated water can weaken and damage hair strands, making them feel dry, thin, and fragile. While chlorine does not cause permanent hair loss, it can increase breakage and scalp irritation, which may make hair thinning more noticeable.

• Dryness & Brittleness: Chlorine strips natural oils from the hair and scalp, leaving strands dry, brittle, dull, and more prone to tangling.
• Hair Breakage: Repeated chlorine exposure weakens the hair shaft, causing breakage that may appear as increased hair fall.
• Scalp Irritation: Prolonged contact with chlorinated water can lead to itching, redness, flaking, and inflammation, which may slow healthy hair growth.
• Color Changes: Chlorine can react with hair pigments, especially in treated or dyed hair, causing fading, uneven tones, or a greenish tint.

At Redefine Hair Transplant and plastic surgery center, the factor of environmental degradation on the hair and scalp such as the use of chlorinated water is critically considered to avoid hair weakening in the long term and to restore healthy hair growth in patients using individualized treatment programs.

Minimal precautionary measures before and after swimming can go a long way in giving you a break on chlorine effects on your hair and scalp.

• Pre-Soak Your Hair: Wetting your hair before going into the pool will help reduce the chlorine level taken because once it is saturated; it tends not to take in the poisonous chemical.
• Wear a Swimming Cap: A tight fitting, properly fitting swimming cap is a protective cover, direct exposure of hair and scalp to the chlorine water is minimized, particularly when swimming over a long period of time.
• Post-Swim Cleansing: Showering 1 – after swimming, wash your hair with a mild or chelating (swimmer) shampoo that will cleanse the chlorine traces. Apply a conditioner or deep hair mask after this to add moisture, smoothness, and strength.

At Redefine Hair Transplant and Plastic Surgery Center, personalized hair care and advanced hair loss treatment options are designed to protect scalp health and support long-term hair strength

Redefine Hair Transplant and Plastic Surgery Center follows a comprehensive, science-backed approach to hair loss, focusing on precise diagnosis and personalized care rather than generic solutions. Each patient undergoes a detailed scalp and hair assessment to identify the underlying cause of hair fall whether genetic, hormonal, lifestyle-related, or medical allowing for targeted and effective treatment planning.

Under the expert guidance of Dr Harikiran Chekuri, the procedures are performed in the latest techniques and with clinically proven procedures. Among non-surgical treatments like PRP therapy and medical management to more sophisticated hair transplantation procedures, Redefine focuses on the natural appearance, patient safety, and long-term hair restoration. These are specialized services offered in the clinics of Redefine in Mumbai and Hyderabad which assure good expertise in the locations.

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