chlorine tan protection
It’s a great decision to encourage to take up swimming. Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise, as it provides the body with both cardio as well as strength training. Swimming helps improve the functioning of the lungs as well, enabling it to breathe fully by utilizing the oxygen provided to it to the fullest. However it is not swimming alone that has caused the change in skin color, but the combination of chlorinated water as well the over exposure to the sun while swimming, in case of an open air pool.
Melanin is produced by the skin, as a defense mechanism, in order to protect itself from the harmful UV rays of the sun. Therefore when the skin is over exposed to the harmful rays of the sun, it increases the supply of melanin to the areas affected most. Since melanin is a brown pigment, the increase causes the skin to appear darker in color. This could be one of the major reasons as to why skin has become darker than her natural skin complexion.
The other reason for the darkening of your skin could be, due to the presence of excess chlorine in the swimming pool water. Chlorine is known to rob the skin of its natural moisture and also oxidizes the skin leading to its discoloration.
However, skin darkening can be solved easily by following these few preventive measures, followed by a skin regeneration regime.
Preventive Measures:
- Always make sure that skin is well protected when she enters the pool. This could be achieved by applying a water proof sun screen lotion with an SPF value of 30 or above. The sun screen lotion will not only protect from the harmful rays of the sun, but will also prove effective against the chlorine present in the water.
- You could protect skin further by encouraging to wear a wetsuit, thus minimizing the direct contact of skin with water. Wetsuits cover the body entirely and thus protect it considerably from getting oxidized due to the presence of chlorine.
Skin Regeneration Regime:
- Ensure wash body thoroughly using a mild soap when you get out of the pool.
- Apply a good moisturizer, as water is known to rob the body of its moisture content. This is one of the major reasons that one feels sticky when they come out of a swimming pool or when at a beach.
- skin will come back to its natural color if you follow the above steps regularly. However you could speed up the process by performing an exfoliation process.
- Make a paste out of oat meal soaked in cold milk for about half an hour. Add one or two teaspoons of turmeric powder to the paste and apply it evenly to skin. The turmeric powder will act as an anti bacterial and anti septic agent. The milk will provide the skin with moisture and restore its complexion, while the oat meal would act as a gentle exfoliation medium. Wash the paste off thoroughly after the process has been completed, and apply a baby lotion for better results. Use this remedy for exfoliation no more than twice a week.
DeChlorinating Lotion:
- 1/2 cup almond or olive oil
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup beeswax
- 2 tablespoons warm water
- 2 teaspoons vitamin C powder
- Optional: 2 tablespoons Shea Butter or Cocoa Butter
- Optional: Essential Oils, Vanilla Extract or other natural extracts to suit your preference
How to Make Lotion:
- Combine oils and beeswax in a pint sized or larger glass jar. I have a mason jar that I keep just for making lotions and lotion bars, or you can even reuse a glass jar from pickles, olives or other foods.
- In another small jar or bowl, add the vitamin c powder to the warm water and stir until dissolved.
- Fill a medium saucepan with a couple inches of water and place the jar with the oils inside the saucepan and turn on medium heat.
- As the water heats, the ingredients in the jar will start to melt. Shake or stir occasionally to incorporate. When all ingredients are completely melted, pour into a small blender or food processor, or keep in the jar if using an immersion blender that will fit in the top of the jar.
- With blender or food processor on, slowly add the water/vitamin C mixture until blended and emulsified.
- Store in an air-tight glass jar.
- Use before swimming (preferably after rinsing skin) to minimize chlorine exposure. This is purposefully a small batch since no preservatives are used and it will only last one swim season.
- Enjoy and be chlorine free!