Whether you’ve been relaxing in the pool on vacation or swim regularly for exercise, you’ve probably noticed that chlorine can quickly wreak havoc on your hair. Wearing a swim cap is the obvious solution to protect your strands from the summer sun and prevent chlorine-damaged hair, but it’s not always feasible, especially if you’re trying to channel resort-chic versus competitive Olympian when it comes to your poolside vibe. Want to take a dip with minimal impact on your mane? We’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to prevent and even fix chlorine-damaged hair, including:

• The effect of chlorine on hair

• How to protect hair from chlorine damage

• How to fix chlorine-damaged hair

What does chlorine do to hair?

In a swimming pool, chlorine does its job by keeping bacteria at bay. However, it can be rough on your hair in the meanwhile. “Chlorine can strip your hair of its natural oils,” says board-certified dermatologist and LovelySkin CEO Dr. Joel Schlessinger. “This can result in your hair feeling dry and brittle.”

If you have light hair, you might notice that frequent pool swimming can even change the color of your hair. “This is actually caused by a chemical reaction between chlorine and copper, which form a film on hair that can look slightly green,” Dr. Schlessinger says.

How to protect hair from chlorine damage

If you’re not able to wear a swimming cap, the next best thing you can do is to hit the locker room before the pool to wet your hair with tap water. “Your hair cuticles act a lot like a sponge, expanding when wet and shrinking when dry,” Dr. Schlessinger says. “Wetting your hair prior to getting in the pool will result in your hair soaking up less chlorine while you swim.”

To prevent chlorine damage to hair, you can also apply a hair protectant product before you swim. Leonor Greyl Lait Luminescence Leave-In Conditioning, Heat Protecting & Detangling Spray is a detangling leave-in conditioner you can spray onto locks before hitting the pool to help protect against the harsh effects of chlorine. Made with hibiscus flower extract and acacia blossoms, this hair treatment features a pleasant floral scent and also leaves hair looking vibrant and glossy thanks to a blend of plant oils and hydrating glycerin.

Another effective option to tuck in your beach bag is Moroccanoil Glimmer Shine, which not only helps protect hair from chlorine but also helps guard strands against other environmental aggressors, such as saltwater and sun, thanks to antioxidant-rich argan oil and wheat germ oil.

How to fix chlorine-damaged hair

If you’ve put in plenty of time at the pool and your locks are already showing the effects of chlorine in the form of brittle or dry hair, look to these restorative shampoos to help fix chlorine-damaged hair.

Surface Purify Weekly Shampoo

With a clarifying formula designed for weekly use, this shampoo from Surface will deeply cleanse your hair to help remove chlorine, minerals and other build-up without damaging color or stripping your hair of much-needed moisture. If you are looking for how to fix chlorine-damaged hair, this is a great option if your locks are color-treated.

Pro-tip: Need to pack light on vacation? This shampoo also doubles as a body wash!

Verb Reset Clarifying Shampoo

If your hair is looking a little worse for wear after a few trips to the pool, this shampoo from Verb will help you hit the reset button. It gently cleanses hair to remove build-up while simultaneously moisturizing hair with honey, a natural humectant. It’s also the first step in Verb’s three-step Reset system, which also includes the Verb Reset Repairing Mask, which strengths strands with quinoa protein, along with Verb Reset Sealing Mist, which helps lock in moisture for a shinier, more manageable mane.

Looking for that sun-kissed look, minus the sun damage? Check out our list of the best sunless tanning lotions and make sure your skin is protected at the pool with the best body sunscreens for daily use.