Does the chlorine in the swimming pool cause our skin to age faster?

[Guest swimmer]

Anyone noticed that if you swim frequently in the swimming pool, your skin will get dull and age faster? I used to swim very frequently last time. and my hands look like 80 years old man. I thought I have some kind of disease because at that time I also have eczema. so I though maybe my skin got problem. I seldom swim now but after swim I noticed my skin looks tight and dull. Does the chlorine in the swimming pool cause our skin to age faster? for those frequent swimmer, does your skin age faster and how do you protect your skin? pre swim lotion vs post swim lotion, which one is better?

[Steve5380]

I don't like the action of chlorine on my skin and my eyes.  I have a big nose that makes goggles difficult to seal perfectly.

I swim well enough, but I don't take up swimming as aerobic exercise.

There are plenty of other non-impact aerobic exercise machines nowadays.

[Tampenises]

I am into it and I swim often. I dont monitor my skin that much and I think it is still ok. I usually go for my laps and get over and done with. I also try to swim between 530pm to 830pm now.

Edited June 7, 2018 by Tampenises
additional sentence

[tyan]

I didn’t notice any problem with skin. But I do notice my hair is very dry. 

[Guest Kiasu]

Chlorine is very drying, so I expect it would have an aging effect. That’s why after I swim in a pool, I head straight for a hot shower to open the pores and wash it away. I stay under the shower longer than usual as well. Better yet if a sauna is available, I’ll make sure to go in there and sweat it out.

 

Another thing to note is pool chlorine adversely affects testosterone levels.

 

Nevertheless, it’s such a great exercise and tbh, for us recreational swimmers, how long can our exposure be compared to the competitive athletes, I don’t see them getting older skin or the men becoming feminised.

[Guest Swimmer]

What you need to do is to moisturise your skin and body if you are a competitive or recreational swimmer if you swim very often. 

The chlorine water does affect the skin

And it's best to steer clear of the harmful uv rays..so swimming in the afternoon is a big no no for me .. You may not see the effect now if you are still young.