Green hair from swimming how can I reslove this problem?

Question

My 8 year old daughter did have lovley blond hair untill she went swimming, it is now green (although its a nce shade of green she does not like it!) I have tried, lemon juice, tomato juice, asprin, so called swimming shampoo's bicarbonate of soda the last resort would be to dye her hair, but its very thin and im affraid the clorine might have already damaged it enough as it is. please help Thanks

Answer 1

ok..i am blonde and if i dont immediately rinse and wash my hair when done swimming b4 it dries, it goes to green..Once its green there is some shampoo u can buy thats like 10.00 for a small bottle--you can get it at any saloon. I cant remember the name of it because after a few times with green hair i started washing it b4 it dried. this shampoo will help with the damage. in the future put have her wet her hair and put a very small amount of conditioner in her hair b4 swimming. dont rinse the conditioner it will help protect her hair. good luck..

Answer 2

Carla S,
Since your daughter is so young, it's understandable that you'd want to stay away from some of the options previously suggested (i.e. coloring).

At this point, the chemical reaction process has been set. To have your daughter's hair revert to its natural color quickly also means that you'll be compromising the health of her hair.

Why? The chemicals that went into the process (likely chlorine, copper, and potentially even the post-swim shampoo used) have become an acidic substance that turned the hair green.

Remember high school chemistry class? If so, you know that acids can be neutralized with bases. They can be strong (much like the lye used in perms) or they can be mild (like Castile/vegetable oil based soap).

A better solution, however would be to give your daughter's hair a break considering all the other solutions you've mentioned trying already.

Wash it as per your usual schedule for the next week using a neutralizing shampoo (also known as non-alkaline or low pH) like Redken Moisturizing Shampoo.

Typically used for color-treated hair, this type of shampooing helps to ensure that hair doesn't start breaking and that, generally, the problem isn't aggravated.

The added bonus with these types of shampoos is that while they don't clean the hair as well as higher pH cleansing products, they will help dissolve the solid acidic substance that turned the hair green in the first place.

Perhaps have some fun with the green while it lasts? Use clip-in streaks (like the kind they sell at Toys R Us or party stores)! Even let her pick the colors.

In future, Carla S, consider treating your daughter's hair with a leave-in conditioner prior to a swim. Once done, have her put on a swim cap (there are printed ones and themed ones that will match her sense of style) before getting into the pool. As soon as she's done swimming, rinse the hair with water only then towel dry. Upon her return home, she should use a lower pH hair cleanser for that first post-swim shampoo.

Answer 3

Removal of the green from ones' hair is a whole 'nuther cup of tea. Depending on how well the color has set into the hair, such as in & out of the pool all day with stressed hair (which chlorine in the pool does cause), is the worst-case scenario, and is very difficult to totally remove in one treatment. But often the use of something acidic, like tomato juice, catsup, or lemon juice, will reduce the metals to their soluble state, and they then can be rinsed out. Be sure to use a conditioner afterwards, or you might end up with something a lot worse than just a green tint.

Answer 4

She shouldn't go swimming ever again in chlorine. Just kidding! Is this the first time it has happened? If so, maybe in was just the extra chemicals the pool owner put into it. Anyways, I suggest you use Color Pulse to dye it back, because if you don't like it it will wash out in 8-10 washes, and it is made of all natural substances so it won't wreck her hair.

Answer 5

this may sound weird but does work.
tomato ketchup.wash hair squeeze excess water out and put the ketchup on the hair leave for 20 min and then rinse add conditioner and style as normal.
the red pigment neutralises the green.
also invest in a swim cap or a shampoo that removes chlorine.

Answer 6

The same thing happens to me although mine is grey!. I was recommended tomato sauce as one of your other answers have said. I was also told to wet my hair thorough in the shower before getting in the pool, but what I use is a purple shampoo and conditioner from Aveda called blue malva. They are natural products so the risk of allergy is low, you can get them from Selfridges, Harvey Nicks and other big stores, also there is an Aveda website, sorry don't know the actual address just put in Aveda in your search engine

Answer 7

The coloration was caused by the chlorine in the pool. The color will fade in a short time. My wife who was blond had the same problem. Not a major problem. Shampoo her hair to get the chlorine out.

Answer 8

Go to a salon and ask for a clarifying shampoo. Also if you coat her hair with conditioner the next time she goes into a chlorinated pool, it will keep the chlorine from absorbing into her hair. Chlorine is very damaging, especially to blonde hair. No hair dye is necessary. I have also had clients tell me that they used "Dawn" dishsoap to remove chlorine, but that would also be harsh on her hair.

Answer 9

There is a product, called Aloe Rid, by Nexxus. They have a shampoo and a 3-5 minute leave-in clarifier. Also, time out of the pool, and a few shampooings should do it.

Answer 10

i don't know, but for next time remember prevention is better than cure, so why not try wearing a swimming cap to keep hair dry and away from chlorine! It may be an idea to go to the local hairdresser for advice.