Well many of you hot-haired lovelies will be jetting off on you holidays soon, or maybe hitting the pool to get that body bikini-ready for when your overseas jaunt finally comes around. Not me however, I shall be here at Hairbomb HQ all summer long, keeping you updated on all the newest hair gossip and all the ‘how-to’ information you need. Don’t feel sorry for me, it’s just a little something called dedication people!

So thinking only of you lovely things I have come up with some tips to keep your hair healthy and gorgeous while you’re poolside after a dip in the cool water. People will be confusing you with siren-like mermaids, I promise you.

The biggest problem with pool water is of course chlorine; yes it is awful, stinging your eyes and smells a bit weird, but it does stop all the little germs multiplying and disinfects the inevitable floating elastoplast, which every pool has. But chlorine can be a right bugger for the hair.

Chlorinated water that is also high in copper might form a chemical reaction that turns hair green (obviously not a problem if your hair is already green). The chlorine reacts with the copper to form a compound that is green in colour. This can attach to the porous hair shaft and give hair a green tinge, if you hair is blonde (matching the carpet or otherwise) it can be a particular problem. Additionally, chlorine is harsh and caustic, while hair is porous. Dry hair that becomes saturated with chlorine-treated water can eventually have salt crystals locked inside, which leads to breakage.

So here’s what you do. After a swim in the pool wash the hair as soon as possible to remove the chlorine on the hair’s external surface. This won’t adequately remove the chlorine locked inside the hair follicles so soak the hair for several minutes in fresh water. Before going into the pool saturate the hair shafts by soaking the hair in fresh water then applying a barrier (normal conditioner will do) and comb through the hair to help repel some of the water and protect from damage.

This is your friendly neighbourhood hair guru signing off...until next time citizens

- Gems