People who swim regularly will understand chlorine rashes how chlorine can dry your skin.
Swimming pools use chlorine because it is a powerful disinfectant, and kills all the nasty bacteria you may find in a public pool in order to keep swimmers safe. The downside is that it also kills all the good bacteria, including the ones that help your body produce Vitamins B12 and K, and the antioxidants that help kill the free radicals that are so important in preventing premature ageing. It also destroys Vitamin E and polyunsaturated fatty acids which can result in acne and skin irritations such as eczema and rashes.
According to the sports governing body British Swimming, people who swim a lot in chlorinated water tend to develop dry, itchy skin or a chlorine rash. Chlorine bonds to your skin, so the effects will be worse if you don’t get rid of it properly.
They recommend countering the dehydrating effects of chlorine by showering for several minutes after your swimming session to make sure no chlorine has been left on your skin; washing your swimming costume thoroughly and as soon as possible as skin rashes are often worse under the costume; and using a moisturising cream, especially on dry eczematous patches. You should also consider using barrier cream, such as Vaseline, on patches of dry skin before going into the pool to try to reduce skin contact with the chemicals.
Best Chlorine Rash Products for Swimmers
A good face and body wash is essential to remove traces of chlorine; use them as soon as possible after swimming. Chlorine rashes can be a problem after s[ending too much time in a hot tub or pool, this is called chlorine exposure and will result in you developing chlorine rash. Chlorine sensitivity is often due to an allergic reaction to chlorine present in a pool or hot tub. Chlorinated water removes the skin’s natural oils, repeated exposure to chlorine can damage sensitive skin.
Rebalance and restore the lipid barrier and nourish very dry skin with a product that increases hydration and smoothness, repairs the barrier function of the skin and promotes healing; Swisscode’s Pure Vitamin F Forte ticks all of these boxes with its high y-Linolenic Acid content.
Rehydrating the skin is also super important for swimmers. One of the best ingredients for this is Hyaluronic Acid (HA). HA is found naturally within our skin and the older we get, the less HA the body produces, which leads to increased dryness and fine lines. HA can also hold up to a thousand times its weight in water so you’ll get the benefit of the product drawing that moisture into your skin. And on that note…
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!
There are a number of reasons why you should drink lots of fresh water before and after your swim. It will help to purify your skin by replacing moisture lost from the drying effects of the chlorine, protecting you against chlorine rashes or dry patches, and it also helps flush out the toxins in your body too – including the chlorine from the pool.
You can also make sure your diet includes a lot of essential fatty acids and omega-3, e.g. nuts, avocados and chia seeds, which will help keep your skin moisturised.
If you would like some more advice about the best moisturising and cleansing products to use for your skin to diminish the effects of chlorine, pop into our central St Albans Skincare Clinic or if you’re interested in purchasing the Swisscode’s Pure Vitamin F Forte, we do have this in our clinic so don’t be afraid to step in, say hello and pick some up for yourself.
How To Treat Chlorine Rash
Chlorine Rash Treatment
A chlorine rash can be treated at home or using over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Most chlorine rashes will clear up after several days. If you aren’t getting relief with over-the-counter treatments for your chlorine rash, your healthcare provider can prescribe stronger medications to help clear up your chlorine rash. If you already have a chlorine rash, it can become more irritated the more you go into the pool.
Consider taking a break from swimming or hot tub soaking for a while to allow your skin to heal from your chlorine rash. This may take around two weeks depending on how inflamed you are and if you’ve been exposed to pools before. Your symptoms should improve once your skin has had time to heal from the itchy rash gained from the chlorinated pool water. Chlorine rashes are often referred to as ‘hot tub rash’ and are gained from chlorine exposure from swimming in chlorinated pool water. Developing a chlorine rash is nothing to panic about, it can be reduced by using over the counter medication.
Chlorine Rash Symptoms
Symptoms of a chlorine rash due to repeated exposure to chlorine or a chlorine allergy include:
Skin redness
Skin tenderness
Skin itchiness
Lesions or rashes on your skin
Scales or crust on your skin
How to Treat Chlorine Rash
To prevent getting a chlorine rash from pool water, do more than rinse off when you get out of the pool; shower and wash diligently with a gentle soap to remove some of the films that chlorine forms on your skin. If you swim frequently, you may want to purchase a special swimmer’s soap or body washes designed to remove chlorine and help reduce the likelihood of getting a chlorine rash.
Buy a Body Wash for Chlorine Rashes
Ingredients such as vitamin C break the bonds chlorine forms on the skin. Finish up with a moisturizer after swimming to offset the drying effect pool water has on your skin (the more you get in and out of the pool, the worse this effect is). Reapply your moisturiser often to avoid getting chlorine rash. Keep in mind that most sunscreens are moisturizing — another good reason to reapply sunscreen after swimming.
Disclaimer: This blog is not to be used for diagnostic purposes. We are all unique which means that our results, recovery and suitability for any type of treatment will vary. Always seek the advice of a professional should you have any health or cosmetic concerns or to discuss treatments specifically for you.
I'm claustrophobic so didn't like having my eyes completely covered, however, Jane was so patient & understanding & dealt with the situation brilliantly so I could have the treatment. It was a so easy in the end, took minutes, & nothing to worry about at all.
From just a phone call on enquiry, to booking to being there with the beautiful front desk lady, to Jane who does the treatment I went for it is all a well organised friendly and professional experience. Worth using for your needs and treatments. Happy customer great service. (Returning client)
I cannot recommend the team the innovation and treatments more highly than at the Skin To Love Clinic. They are at the cutting edge of beauty and have new ways and procedures that make your skin look beautiful. I've spent many years on Harley and Wimpole street and assumed you couldn't get this level of investment and treatments anywhere else but the Skin the Love clinic not only offer every top treatment but the Jane and Sue are so skillful and have a real eye for what will work for you. Their mini thread lift is incredible as is their 'vampire' treatment but skin since I have moved to St Albans has improved dramatically
I have several issues with my skin and have been working with my doctor to deal with them. He referred me to a Dermatologist who advised on the treatment I needed. It took me a while to find the right place with the level of expertise that I needed and The Skin to Love Clinic ticked all of the boxes. My first experience with The Skin to Love Clinic was about 2 years ago. I had a consultation with Jane and immediately knew I was in good hands. I had a series of Fraxel laser which dealt with the issue as well as improved the quality of my skin. I am now dealing with a different issue and without hesitation made an appointment with Jane. What a relief to know that once again, I will be in the best hands and get the most appropriate treatment for my skin, not only dealing with the issue but also improving the health of my skin at the same time.About 4 years ago, I had threads from a well known Clinic in Harley Street. The process was extremely painful, left me with a lot of bruising, a disfigured face and took at least 6 weeks to recover. For the first 1 - 2 weeks I could hardly open my mouth, getting my toothbrush into my mouth was painful.2 weeks ago (with much trepidation) I had threads at Skin to Love. The difference was remarkable. This is a cosmetic procedure so when the threads are inserted, there is some discomfort. However, it was a far cry from the extreme pain from the Harley Street clinic. I had 1 pale yellow bruise about the size of 50p, no disfiguration and went out for dinner that night! My face was tender to touch for about 1 week but definitely not painful. I could see the results straight away and as time passes, it gets better. Thank you Jane for being so patient with me. I was so scared but now know I didn't need to be.
Jane is wonderful, I feel in safe hands here and am always pleased with the advice and treatments I receive here, hence why I would not go anywhere else, this is a great clinic.
For my first session of Lazer Hair Removal, I had the most lovely practitioner. They were so patient with me and walked me through the process. I’m so happy and excited to continue with them throughout my course!
Always friendly and information! Would recommend to anyone with any skin concerns or just looking for advice you can trust. I have my next consultation already booked.
First time trying Regenlite today. Nikki was helpful explaining the process and I noticed some immediate reduction in redness on my cheeks. Nikki also recommended my next treatment for thread veins. All in all the super friendly and knowledgeable service I’ve come to rely on at Skin to Love.
I recently had 3 moles removed from my face by Emma. I am really pleased with the results, I was very nervous and Emma made me feel at ease. I would highly recommend Emma and the skin to love clinic.
Skin to Love is a super professional clinic, from the moment you walk in they make you feel welcomed and the ladies are all absolutely lovely. The treatments are always done to an incredibly high standard and they make sure to answer any questions you may have. Would highly recommend!!
Exceptionally positive experience:* A consultation is required to determine whether the requested treatment is suitable for me. This reassured me of their expertise and integrity (that they wouldn't just push any treatment on me)* Specialist Jane is clearly an expert on the Clear&Brilliant treatment and provided me with a comprehensive insight in the procedure + follow-up care and answered all my questions* Tomorrow I'll receive a check-in call, which shows their level of attentiveness* Reception staff is very friendly, welcoming and helpful* So far my Clear and Brilliant treatment looks good, will see results in 2-4 weeks
I made the mistake of buying a product called Eyesential; an under eye enhancer which temporarily erases puffiness, fine lines, dark circles and wrinkles in minutes and lasts for up to 8 hours. I used this product for a period of 7 years. During this time, the skin under and around my eyes became thinner, reddened, chronically dry and intensely wrinkled. I thought there was nothing I could do and would be left like this. I felt so depressed. Then one day when I was in The Skin to Love Clinic having treatment for Laser Hair Removal; I was informed about Thermage for the very first time. I now have this procedure done yearly. Jane has brought my skin back to its original state and more. My confidence has come back and I feel a so much happier. This treatment really works!
Absolutely thrilled with the results of my treatment which was carried out expertly and efficiently with the utmost professional care by Jane. Would recommend ‘the Skin to Love’ clinic to anyone
Such a professional, understanding approach. I feel like I've just blurted out my last 12 months but Jane made me feel so heard and relevant.Really appreciate the time and advice given and I now feel like I have a plan for how to manage the skin troubles/problems.Thank you!
Had an appointment at Skin to Love today (my first in a while) and oh boy was it good to be back! It was great to see that they are still taking the safety of their clients so seriously with strict PPE guidelines being adhered to. Had a consultation with Jane and can’t wait to go back for my treatment! Thank you ladies ☺️
Emma is so professional and kind. At an initial consultation with her on a viral wart on my face, Emma explained my options and the procedure carefully and thoroughly. Afterwards I tried various lotions and wart removal products, but to no avail. Three months later I saw Emma again. It only took her a few minutes to surgically remove my wart. It was done with such a precision that my skin has been recovering really quickly and well. I highly recommend Emma!
Jane was excellent and extremely professional, giving a clear and detailed picture of my son’s skin post acne. Jane put my son at ease and presented options for reducing pigmentation and improving texture. Highly recommend The Skin to Love clinic.
I love coming to Skin to Love, where everyone remembers my name, even though I wouldn't consider myself a regular. I feel safe and welcomed each time. Every member of staff is so lovely and I've had the best treatments from each practitioner.
I really appreciate Jane's extensive medical back ground & professionalism, generosity with her time (I never feel rushed when I come here), and most importantly, skillful placement of injectables & application of procedures.It has been a pleasure to build a rapport over the past few months and I am delighted with the result of the customized care & treatments I have received here.The ladies at the reception are always welcoming, kind & accommodating, and the clinic is a beautifully designed & charming space to visit.I look forward to many future appointments.
I am extremely happy with the treatment I received and the professionalism of the staff. Emma and Jane were extremely friendly and reassuring too. Thank you.
Would recommend, had a consultation by the nurse , very informative and all staff are extremely knowledgeable of their treatments. Not pushy in selling products or services , the look and feel of the store is very warm and welcoming. I am looking forward to getting treatments there.Update in 4/10/2021 - after going to mobile therapists and now here, I must say there is a big difference ! much much more professional and great customer service - I have had anti wrinkle injections and was reassured this will work and it has! ( I had deep frown lines) worth the bit of extra money for sure!