Many years ago, when I was 16, getting your hair highlighted or coloured was just for the rich kids (which I wasn’t). It was considered a luxury or as my parents told me an unnecessary expense. Since they said that about most of the things I wanted, I got a part time job to fund my “unnecessary expenses.”
I was so excited when I finally saved up enough money to get my already blonde hair highlighted so that it was even more blonde. After my hair appointment I felt so good about myself. I loved my new hair colour so much!! Finally I was one of the cool kids (that’s a story for another day 🙂)
The next day I was invited to a pool party so I spent the day with some friends swimming and enjoying the sun. Suddenly, one of my friends said “Laura! Your hair looks green.” I, of course panicked and ran inside to see for myself- sure enough my beautiful blonde highlights were turning green. I was mortified and upset. Why? What was happening? Then in dawned on me, it was the chlorine in the pool water changing my hair colour!! It wasn’t until years later that I realized why!
Chlorine pulls out the melanin in your hair —the element which gives your hair its natural colour. If you have coloured hair chlorine will bond with the artificial colour and draw it out quickly. What’s more, when chlorine bonds with copper, it creates a chemical compound that is known for its bright, blue-green colour, which can ultimately cause your hair to turn pale green. This can happen instantly in heavily chlorinated pool water OR overtime when you shower in chlorinated water. This is not just true for blondes, chlorine strips the colour faster in all types of colours or highlights.
Chlorine attaches itself to your hair and skin, and then begins to draw out your hair’s natural moisture, or sebum, and break down your hair structure, causing it to become dry and brittle over time. Your hair more quickly loses the beautiful colour (which you paid good money for) and it becomes dull and dry looking faster.
This problem can be solved with a very simple, easy to install shower filter that removes 99% of chlorine from your shower water. It protects your hair and skin from the drying, colour stripping effects of chlorinated water.
For me a salon visit costs over $120 each time I get my hair coloured. Protecting my hair so it remains shiny and bright between visits is something I value- it just makes sense financially to invest in a $100 Shower Filter once a year to ensure my colour lasts as long as possible!
As always, we’re happy to help! Reach out if you’d like more information.