Why Hair Turns Green in a Pool & How to Fix It

Most people don’t expect that swimming will change their hair color. If you have light brown or blonde hair, you could leave a pool with green tips. This odd phenomenon is caused by copper particles in the water that oxidize and attach to your hair. There are ways to prevent it and fix it.

How Does Copper Get In Pools?

Copper is a metal that is commonly found in well water. If your pool is filled with well water, it may have copper in it.

Copper can also get into your pool if you treat your pool water with an algaecide that is copper-based.

How to Prevent Pool Water from Turning Your Hair Green?

There are a couple of methods that you can use to find out whether or not your pool water has copper in it: use test strips or call in a local pool service provider to check the water for metal.

If there is copper in your pool water, there are 3 ways to protect your hair from turning green.

1. Use a Metal Removing Chemical or Filter

If your pool water has copper in it, it’s a smart idea to treat the water with a chemical remover. There are many different kinds of chemical removers that you can choose from to remove metals, like copper, from the water. If you fill your pool with a hose, it is also a good idea to attach a filter that will stop metal particles from getting into your pool.

2. Switch to an Algaecide that Is Not Copper-Based

Though copper-based algaecides are good at killing algae, they can stain your pool and cause green hair. If you are using a copper-based algaecides, it is a good idea to switch to a polyquat algaecide or improve the chlorine levels so that an algaecide is not needed.

3. Condition or Treat Your Hair

There are also several different hair treatments that you can use to prevent your hair from turning green. The first option is to use a leave-in conditioner that makes it hard for oxidized copper particles to attach to your hair. Another solution that you can do at home it to give your hair a “hot oil” treatment. If you prefer to leave it to the professionals, you can ask your local hair dresser to give you a “gloss coat” or “seal coat” that seals the cuticles in your hair. Any one of these treatments will prevents copper particles from attaching to your hair.

How to Get Rid of the Green Tint?

If your hair has already turned green after swimming in a pool, you have 2 options to restore your natural hair color.

1. Use a Professional Shampoo

There are a few different professional shampoos that chelate, or remove metal. Washing your hair with one of these shampoos should remove the green tint from your hair.

2. Wash Your Hair with Tomato Juice

If you prefer a natural solution, you can wash your hair with tomato juice. Many people swear by this simple solution.

If you notice green tips when you get out of the pool, don’t worry! You can wash it out with the right solution and you can solve the problem by getting copper out of your pool. If you need help removing copper from your pool, give us a call!