Chronic effects of swimming pool disinfectants on skin and hair

Arihan Maitra 1, * and Akshay Talati 2

1 San Juan Hills High School, CA-92675, San Juan Capistrano, Orange County, California.
2 Society of Cosmetic Chemist Mentor.
 
Research Article
Open Access Research Journal of Biology and Pharmacy, 2024, 12(02), 009–015.
Article DOI: 10.53022/oarjbp.2024.12.2.0036
Publication history: 
Received on 08 September 2024; revised on 19 October 2024; accepted on 21 October 2024
 
Abstract: 
Swimming offers a myriad of benefits for both physical and mental well-being. As a full-body workout, it engages various muscle groups and promotes cardiovascular health, strength, and endurance. The buoyancy of water reduces the impact on joints, making it an ideal exercise for individuals with arthritis or mobility issues. Swimming is an activity one can ultimately do throughout their entire life because of the low impact which makes it a suitable way to exercise for elderly people to promote longevity. However, swimming can cause dry, itchy skin and atopic dermatitis due to barrier disruption. Chronic exposure to chlorine and its lesser-known byproducts in swimming pools is not widely studied and its negative impact on skin barrier and hair is not generally discussed, underscoring the urgent need for further research and awareness in this area. There is a significant need and opportunities to create new product formulation strategies to address the chronic effects of chlorine and its byproducts on skin & hair.

 

Keywords: 
Swimming; Chlorine; Atopic Dermatitis; Disinfection by-products (DBP); Dermal penetration of DBPs; Skin microbiome; Skin barrier; Acne
 
Full text article in PDF: