by legge (follow)

Beauty (34)      Skin Care (4)      Swimming (1)     

A long luxurious swim in the pool is the best way to beat the heat. It’s healthy, it’s refreshing, and it’s a good stress buster. Plus, you get to flaunt your hot summer bod and that new bikini! What could possibly go wrong? Well, the chlorinated water can damage your hair and give you a nasty tan. Swimming is therapeutic and enjoyable, provided you take the necessary precautions before and after a good swim. We’re not asking you to never step in a pool ever in your life. But life sure would be a lot easier if you could follow these simple and effective tips to reduce the risk of an infection each time you take a dip in the pool.



Showering Before and After

It is imperative that you take a shower before AND after a swim. Use a mild showering gel or an anti-bacterial soap to cleanse your body. It is always smart that you wash off the dirt from your skin before you enter a pool. While many swimmers religiously take a bath before getting into the pool, they’re too lazy to get a shower later. The chlorinated water must be immediately rinsed off your skin and scalp to prevent damage. Remember, the public pool has other people in it as well. You never know what kind of bacterial infection the other person is carrying (*shudders*).

Slather on Some SPF

One of the biggest and most visible effects of swimming is tanning. Those dark spots on the body and discoloration of the skin are not just bad for the eyes but also your health. Excessive tanning makes you more susceptible to the harmful UV rays of the sun. Swimmers often suffer from sunburns and painful rashes that leave lasting marks on the skin. Therefore, it is crucial that you use a good sunscreen with a high SPF (preferably over 30) to prevent these ill-effects. We suggest you try out the sunscreen by Obagi or Foero for best results.

Drink Enough Water
It’s ironic how one can be dehydrated while being surrounded by water! But it’s true, swimming is a rigorous exercise and swimmers often tend to tire out easily due to lack of water. One of the best ways to prevent that from happening is to keep your body hydrated. Keep on sipping some water before and after a long swim. It protects your skin and keeps your energy levels intact. Your skin wouldn’t try to make up for the lack of water by absorbing the chlorinated water of the pool. Dermalogica skin kits offer you a wholesome solution, with clay cleanser, toner, scrub, oil control, and complete skin care products packed into an SKU.

Apply Talc to Dry Off Faster

A sprinkle of talcum powder goes a long way to keep your skin fresh and odor-free. Apply some talc in your face, the neck and armpits to help them dry off faster. The powder absorbs excessive moisture and also kills the bacterial growth on your skin. Talc also reduces the ill-effects of chlorine and prevents any itching or discomfort. Ensure that you apply talc only at areas that you don’t have to moisturize.

Moisturising is Must

Moisturising- this is the one rule every swimmer lives by. Repeated and prolonged exposure to chlorinated water can wreak havoc on your skin. It not only causes bacterial growth and infections but also rashes, painful boils, and intense itchiness. Applying a good moisturizer before getting in the pool protects your skin from these consequences. We love the hydrating lotions by ELTA MD and Peter Thomas Roth. The products make a protective barrier on the skin, thereby preventing the chlorine from causing any direct damage.

Care for your Swim Gear

Clean swimwear is not just important for your skin health but also your body’s overall hygiene. Chlorine is a strong bleaching agent that can damage the color and fabric of your swimsuit. Wash your swim gear thoroughly before and after a swim. It keeps your skin further protected from the strong effects of chlorine. To wash away the bacteria add a teaspoon of vinegar to your wash. This neutralizes the chlorine smell and also keeps the color and quality of the fabric intact.

Spray Some Vitamin C

Vitamin C is antibacterial and rich in antioxidants. It cleanses your skin of impurities, flushes out the toxins and prevents bacterial infections and rashes on your skin. For although swimming pools are regularly cleaned, they still contain a lot of germs that can harm your skin. Vitamin C and Vitamin E bind to the chlorine stuck on your skin and make it inactive. Get any popular topical Vitamin C spray and slather it on your skin after a swim. It retains the softness and moisture content of the skin, keeping it supple and glowing. The Vitamin C face mist masks from PMD Microderm is the perfect skincare hack for swimmers and suits all skin types.

The Wonders of Herbal Tea

Now, this isn’t exactly a skincare hack, but it sure plays a part in improving your skin tone. Herbal tea is organic and rich in antioxidants. Drinking a cup of steaming green tea instead of other beverages like tea or coffee every day is a smart lifestyle change that we all should adopt. It not only flushes out the harmful toxins from your body but also neutralize the damage done by the chlorinated water. Green tea also gives you healthy, glowing and soft skin and prevents wrinkles and the premature aging signs.

The Bottom Line

There’s nothing quite as relaxing as pool time in summers right? It keeps you fit, manages your cardiovascular health and is a wonderful exercise for the body overall. However, the chlorinated water can strip your skin of the natural oils and moisture, leaving it itchy and flaky. The problem can get a lot worse if you’re allergic to chlorine. Don’t worry though, with these quick skincare hacks, you can reduce the risks on your skin without having to give up on your favorite summer activity.

#Skin Care
#Swimming
#Beauty

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