Swimming and Its Affects on Our ‘Birthday Suits’

Summer can be rough on our skin.  As we throw caution — and layers of clothing — to the wind, we end up exposing it to all sorts of abuse: from the burning rays of the sun, to biting insects and irritating plants.  Even the water we swim in can take a serious toll on that precious organ we lovingly refer to as our ‘birthday suits.’

Many of us are drawn to water, especially on a hot summer day.  After all, about 70% of an adult’s body is made up of water — most of it stored in our cells.  In fact, it’s water that is responsible for delivering essential nutrients to the skin cells, helping to keep them plump, healthy and our skin looking youthful.  The outer layers of our skin contain proteins and oils that help keep essential moisture in.  

Ironically, bathing and swimming in water for long periods of time can actually cause this moisture to be depleted from our skin by temporarily removing its natural protective oils and causing dryness.  Prolonged exposure to water containing chemicals like chlorine — the type found in most swimming pools — exaggerates this effect and can eventually cause damage on a cellular level.

Chlorine was originally added to our water supply over 100 years ago in order to kill disease-causing bacteria like cholera and typhoid.  It also became the most popular and inexpensive way to prevent the spread of disease and bacteria from forming in swimming pools.  Though it may be an effective germ killer, it can be highly damaging to our skin.  We’ve seen the devastating effects chlorine can have on our hair.  Likewise, chlorine can severely damage the protective layer of our skin.

Our skin and hair contain a type of protein called keratin that helps to create an intact barrier.  Chlorine chemically bonds with these proteins and damages this protective layer, causing skin and hair to become dry and brittle.  Over time, the stress from chlorine exposure can actually accelerate the aging process and lead to premature wrinkles.

It’s no coincidence that celebs and models have been using chlorine-free water for years, which may well be one of the best kept beauty secrets in the industry. 

So if you love the water and can’t avoid chlorinated pools, here are a few simple precautions you can take to protect your ‘birthday suit’:

• always wear a swim cap to protect your hair
• rinse immediately after your swim and use a gentle, all natural body wash
• apply high quality, moisture replenishing lotions to both your face and body
• be sure to re-apply a high SPF sunscreen after swimming
• drink purified water at regular intervals throughout the day and eat plenty of water-rich organic fruits and vegetables