18 Jul Protect Your Highlights: What Every Pool-Lover Needs to Know
Don’t Dunk Your Highlights: Pool Hair PSA from Your Rejuvenation Stylists
We get it—summer is made for sun, fun, and swimming. But if you’ve just invested in fresh highlights, there’s one thing we need you to remember: Do not submerge your hair in the pool!
We see it all the time. A gorgeous new head of bright blonde or buttery caramel highlights goes straight from the salon to the swimming pool… and comes back greenish, dry, and damaged.
So here’s the truth: your gorgeous new highlights and chemically treated pool water do not mix well. But don’t worry—we’ll explain why it matters and share simple tips on how to protect your color so you can still enjoy pool season without sacrificing your beautiful hair.
Why Pool Water Can Ruin Your Highlights
Chlorine is great for keeping pool water clean, but it’s no friend to your hair—especially when it’s been lightened. Highlighted hair is more porous, which means it soaks up pool water and all its chemicals more quickly than untreated strands. As chlorine breaks down your hair’s natural oils, you’re left with dryness, brittleness, and a lot less shine.
And that greenish tint? It’s real. It’s not just from the chlorine, but from copper and other oxidized metals in pool water that cling to light hair and react with the chemicals. It’s especially noticeable in blonde shades, where it can completely shift your tone.
Why You Shouldn’t Get Your Hair Wet in the Pool:
- Chlorine + Highlighted Hair = Trouble
Chlorine is a harsh chemical that strips the natural oils and protective barrier from your hair. Highlighted hair is especially porous, which means it absorbs that chlorine like a sponge. The result? Dryness, breakage, and dull, brittle strands. - Green Hair is Not a Trend
Blondes, listen up! That greenish tinge you sometimes see after swimming isn’t just your imagination—it’s real. It’s not chlorine alone that causes it, but the combination of pool chemicals and oxidized metals (like copper) that bond to your hair. Highlighted hair is especially vulnerable to turning brassy or green. - Color Fading Happens Fast
Submerging your hair in chemically treated water can strip your toner and cause your highlights to fade or shift in tone. What started as a soft, sunkissed blonde might end up looking dull, uneven, or off-tone after a swim.
What to Do Instead:
- Keep it Dry – Pile your hair up in a secure topknot or braid before heading to the pool. Use a soft scrunchie or protective hair tie and make sure your hair stays above water level at all times.
- Cover it Up – A wide-brimmed hat or cute scarf does double duty: protects your hair from UV rays and keeps you from being tempted to dunk.
- Use a Barrier – If you do plan to get wet, prep your hair first. Rinse it with clean, cool water and apply a leave-in conditioner to create a barrier that limits chemical absorption. One of our must-have products for summer is Aveda’s Sun Care Protective Hair Veil—a lightweight mist that forms an invisible shield to defend against UV rays and pool water damage.
- Wash Immediately – If your hair does get wet, rinse your hair with fresh water and shampoo using Aveda’s Sun Care Hair and Body Cleanser. Then condition with Aveda’s Botanical Repair Conditioner right after swimming. Don’t let pool water sit in your hair for hours.
Your highlights are an investment, and with just a few thoughtful habits—and the right products—you can protect them all season long. If you’re unsure what to use or need help building a summer-safe hair routine, just ask your Rejuvenation Spa stylist. We’re happy to customize a plan to keep your color fresh and your hair healthy, no matter how many pool days you have ahead.
We’ll see you at the salon… and hopefully not with green hair. 😉