What better way to burn calories than with a sweatless workout. And what better sweatless workout than swimming! As attractive an option that swimming is to develop a physique that is an object of people’s envy, it is necessary that you also take the time to meet the significant demands that this exercise activity will make of your skin and mane.

Chemically-treated water in swimming pools can render a dreadful amount of damage to your tresses and rob your hair and skin of its moisture. Contact with chlorine tends to make hair and skin very dry.

First of all, it is advisable to always wear a cap while swimming so that the chlorine present in the water does not harm the hair. If you are swimming without a cap, be sure to wet your hair before getting into the pool. It will be fairly successful in reducing the damage done by the chemicals in the pool. Since the hair has already sponged up its share of water, the quantity of chlorine that can seep into the hair from the water it lessened.

Wash your hair immediately after the swim using a moisturising shampoo and conditioner which will replenish the moisture in your hair. If you have coloured hair, do not forget to wear an oil-based conditioner in your hair before swimming. It will keep the colour from fading away. Another option is to create a concoction of conditioner and water and spray it onto your hair from time to time during the swim, to keep it well moisturised.

If you are bent on looking glamourous underwater too, then waterproof makeup which includes mascara, bronzers and lipstick, is freely available in the market that come in different brands, sporting different prices. The monsoon is here and most days end up being cloudy. But that does not mean that the sun can do you absolutely no harm on such days.

While swimming during the day, dab on a generous deal of waterproof sunscreen with an SPF of atleast 20 on areas of your body that will be exposed. Post swimming, bathe with a nourishing shower gel/soap and follow it up with a body cream rich in moisture.

“Once you are out of the pool, it’s important to not let your hair dry with chlorine on it. It’s recommended to wash it off as soon as possible to avoid dryness and frizz,” says Interior designer Ritu P, for whom swimming has grown to be a fun hobby apart from the fact that it helps her beat flab.

Ayurveda
If you are fearful of cosmetic cures to your swimming problems, turn to Ayurveda. Dr Anitha Wagle of Ayush Therapy Centre reveals many Ayurvedic hair and skin care solutions for swimmers. “Eladi coconut oil, with cardamom and other ingredients, can be used to massage one’s hair and body as it combats the harm done by chlorine. Durvadi tailam (made from the Durva herb) is another another. Chandana tailam (sandalwood oil) is also a good choice,” she says.

Pool woes
It is important to note that several diseases can be contracted in a swimming pool- respiratory diseases, and those of the ear, throat and nose.

A condition called ‘Swimmer’s Ear’ is common where the ear suffers the risk of becoming infected as a result of water entering the ear canal and making it a hot bed for bacteria to flourish. Drying your ears after a swim or shaking the water off is one way of avoiding this problem.

Hot Tub Rash is a common skin infection and is a result of a badly-maintained pool. Diarrhoea is another common water-borne disease. Avoid swallowing water as much as you can. The chlorine in the pool does help kill germs but does not sterilise it enough for you to be able to consume the water. 

If your eyes have got dry and irritated owing to the chlorine content in the pool, use eye drops to soothe them or resort to using swimming goggles.