It is still spring and full of its long days, as well as the first hints of summertime heat. And what better way to take advantage of these rising temperatures than by splashing around in a cool dip into the pool? But keep in mind, while this kind of escape from heat is ideal in swimming, the same may not be said about your hair.

Chlorine, the same stuff that makes pools sanitary and bacteria-free, can be ruthless on your hair—removing natural oils, drying out your locks, and even turning lighter hair a dreaded greenish color. If you've ever emerged from the pool with your hair feeling brittle, knotted, or just. wrong, you're not crazy. The damage is real.

But first, before you stop using the pool completely, good news is there! Using some expert-endorsed preventative measures, you can continue with your swimming routines without concern over hair damage by chlorine. We asked Dr. Priyanka Sharma, who's an experienced dermatologist as well as hair transplant surgeon, to analyze how chlorine hurts your locks and divulge the ultimate fix for hair to be firm, healthy, and ready for summers.

How Chlorine Damages Hair?

Chlorine is a potent disinfectant meant to destroy bacteria and ensure water quality, but its severe chemical composition doesn't mix well with hair health. Based on scientific research, chlorine robs the hair of its natural oils, causing:

Drastic dryness and brittleness: Natural oils coat the hair shaft and keep the hair hydrated. Chlorine destroys these needed oils, making hair dry and more susceptible to breakage.

Frizz and split ends: Dehydration weakens the strands of hair, resulting in frizz and split ends.

Color fading and discoloration: Chlorine oxidizes the pigment melanin, which is responsible for the color of the hair. The oxidation can lead to a more rapid fading of natural or colored hair. Blondes can even turn green because chlorine interacts with trace amounts of metals such as copper present in the water.

Damaged hair structure: Chlorine degrades keratin, the protein giving hair strength and elasticity, increasing its vulnerability to damage and loss of thickness.

Signs of Chlorine-Damaged Hair

If you are a regular swimmer, it is worth being aware of the signs of chlorine damage from an early stage. Some of the most likely signs are:

• Hair that's rough or straw-like to touch
• More tangling and reluctance to comb the hair
• Reduced shine and luster
• Dryness which does not fade despite frequent conditioning
• Breakage and split ends occurring more often

Luckily, there are a number of preventative measures and after-swim care methods that can assist in shielding your hair from the destructive influence of chlorine.

Preventing and Dealing with Chlorine Damage

Pre-Swim Hair Protection Methods

1. Pre-Wet Your Hair

Before diving in, wet your hair with new, non-chlorinated water. Dermatologists say that pre-wetting hair diminishes its capacity for chlorine absorption because water-soaked strands are less permeable to chemicals.

2. Use a Protective Barrier

Pre-swimming applications of leave-in conditioners or natural oils such as coconut or argan oil can place a barrier in the way that restricts the penetration of chlorine. These moisture-rich products seal in moisture with a protective film, keeping your hair from drying out too much.

3. Use a Swim Cap

Although not always the height of fashion, a properly fitted swim cap will greatly minimize hair exposure to chlorinated water. Use silicone caps instead of latex ones, as they create a tighter seal and are less damaging to hair.

Post-Swim Hair Care Routine

4. Rinse Immediately After Swimming

The longer the chlorine remains on your hair, the more it damages it. Rinse with clean water as soon as you get out of the pool to wash away lingering chlorine before it can attach to hair proteins.

5. Apply a Chlorine-Removing Shampoo

Specialized shampoos that are designed to strip chlorine are a lifesaver for swimmers. These shampoos have chelating agents that attach to chlorine and other mineral buildup, lifting them out of the hair. Use shampoos with vitamin C or EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) to counteract chlorine exposure.

6. Deep Condition Regularly

To combat the drying effects of chlorine, include a deep conditioning treatment in your regimen at least weekly. Hair masks containing keratin, biotin, and shea butter replenish lost moisture and restore hair strength.

7. Restrict Heat Styling

Chlorine-damaged hair is already weakened, so exposing it to additional stress from heat styling can accelerate breakage. Minimize the use of curling irons, straighteners, and blow dryers, opting for air-drying when possible.

Expert-Approved Products for Chlorine-Damaged Hair

Dr. Sharma recommends the following products to protect and repair chlorine-exposed hair:

• Pre-Swim Leave-In Treatment: A silicone-based leave-in conditioner to coat the hair shaft.
• Chlorine-Removing Shampoo: A clarifying shampoo with vitamin C to eliminate chlorine buildup.
• Hydrating Hair Mask: A weekly deep conditioning treatment with keratin and natural oils to replenish moisture.
• Serum or Oil Treatment: Argan or coconut oil used after washing to seal in moisture and guard against future damage.

Chlorine damage is indeed a risk for regular swimmers, but by having the right prevention methods and hair care plan in place, you can spend your time in the pool without compromising the health of your hair. By pre-wetting your hair, employing protective products, and adopting a disciplined post-swim routine, you can reduce chlorine damage and have your hair appear healthy, robust, and lively.

So the next time you go swimming in the pool, take a few extra precautions to protect your hair—you'll be glad you did.

Dr. Priyanka Sharma is Director and Chief Dermatologist & Hair Transplant Surgeon at V6 Clinics in India

While you may have heard of the gut-brain connection, did you know it could also signal neurodevelopmental disorders? A study has found children with autism are far more likely to have ongoing stomach and digestive issues than other children.

A new study from the UC Davis MIND Institute found a strong link between these gastrointestinal (GI) problems and other daily challenges, including difficulties with sleep, communication, and behavior.

How Are Stomach Issues Linked To Autism?

The study followed 475 children between the ages of 2 and 12, with 322 of them having autism. The researchers talked to the families multiple times over the years to track the kids' health. They found that children with autism were not only more likely to report stomach problems like constipation and diarrhea, but they also tended to have several of these symptoms at once.

Even more importantly, these issues often lasted for years, unlike in other children where they usually went away quickly. What's surprising is that many of these problems didn't have an obvious medical cause. This suggests that doctors and parents need to pay closer attention to these symptoms, even when the reason isn't clear.

What is Gut-Brain Connection?

Your brain and your gut are constantly communicating, a connection you've probably felt before. This is why you get "butterflies in your stomach" when you're nervous or why a bad feeling about something is called a "gut feeling." This link is a two-way street: your brain can affect your gut, and your gut can influence your brain.

In fact, the gut and the brain are like best friends. They talk about everything, from how you're feeling emotionally to how your body is working physically. More information travels between these two than any other body part. Your gut even has a huge number of nerve cells, second only to your brain. The conversation between your gut and brain influences many of your body's functions, including:

• Hunger and cravings.
• Digestion and metabolism
• Your feelings
• Pain and thinking
• Immunity

Could Gut-Brain Axis Reveal Autism?

The researchers looked at nine common stomach and digestive symptoms and found that they were strongly connected to other difficulties. Children with more frequent gut problems also had more trouble with sleep, were more anxious and irritable, and struggled more with communication, sensory issues, and repetitive behaviors.

This study reinforces the idea that the brain and the body are deeply connected. When a child feels stomach pain, it's not just a physical problem. It can also influence their mood, how they sleep, and how they interact with the world around them. The researchers stress that treating a child’s gut health is an important step toward improving their overall quality of life.

The researchers pointed out that many of these gut issues are treatable, even if there isn’t a clear medical diagnosis. They hope that doctors, teachers, and families will become more aware of this connection and work together to get children the care they need. They believe that addressing gut health as part of a complete care plan for autism can help children feel better and grow. One of the authors, Christine Wu Nordahl, explained that it's not about finding just one cause for a child's challenges, but about looking at the whole child and helping them in every way possible.

A simple, 15-minute annual check-up could be one of the most effective ways to protect yourself from dementia. Research now shows that untreated hearing loss is the single biggest risk factor for dementia that you can actually change, even more so than smoking or not exercising. According to Alzheimer’s Research UK, if everyone took care of their hearing, we could prevent seven out of every 100 cases of dementia that occur today.

However, this is not a one-off observation, but other studies have also shown that hearing loss is linked with dementia. A study published in the Lancer showed that treating hearing loss is one of the best ways to decrease risk of dementia.

Interestingly, several studies have shown a significant link between hearing loss and dementia. A recent meta-analysis, which combined data from over 666,000 people, found that individuals with hearing loss had a 37% higher risk of dementia compared to those with normal hearing.

The risk of dementia also increases with the severity of hearing loss. For every 10-decibel drop in hearing ability, the risk of dementia can increase by as much as 24%. This means that even a small decline in your hearing can raise your risk.

How Is Hearing And Dementia Connected?

In the UK, a staggering one in three people have some level of hearing loss, but many wait a full decade before they seek help. At the same time, nearly one million people are living with dementia, a condition that is the leading cause of death in the country. The Lancet Commission on Dementia found that hearing loss in midlife is the number one modifiable risk factor.

Research suggests that using hearing aids can help reduce the risk of dementia. A review of multiple studies found that people with hearing loss who used hearing aids had a 19% lower risk of mental decline and a 17% lower risk of dementia compared to those who did not.

Another study showed an even more powerful effect, with people at a higher risk of mental decline having a 48% lower chance of their condition worsening into dementia if they wore hearing aids.

These findings suggest that treating hearing loss with hearing aids not only improves a person's quality of life but also plays a key role in preventing or delaying dementia.

The reason for this connection is simple: your brain works much harder when it has to strain to understand conversations, especially in loud places. This extra effort can be exhausting and cause people to pull away from social situations, leading to loneliness and poor well-being. By making it easier to hear, hearing aids help your brain relax and allow you to stay engaged with the world, which is crucial for brain health.

Why Does Treating Hearing Loss Help Dementia?

Interestingly, this positive effect wasn't as clear in a group of healthy volunteers who were at a lower risk for dementia. This might be because their mental decline was already slow, so the study's three-year period wasn't long enough to show a major difference.

Scientists think that hearing aids help people at high risk for dementia by doing more than just improving hearing. They might also boost a person's social connections, reduce feelings of sadness, provide more mental stimulation, and make it easier to talk to doctors about medical care. However, more research is needed to fully understand the long term effects.

A simple eye exam completely changed the life of 29-year-old Rhiannon. A career-loving Occupational Therapist who enjoys traveling, Rhiannon had no idea she was seriously ill. The Brain Tumor Charity shared her story to raise awareness on Eye Health Day.

While she had noticed small issues like a ringing in her ears and feeling tired, she didn't have the typical, more serious symptoms of a brain tumor, such as seizures or severe headaches.

During her eye check-up, Rhiannon's eye doctor noticed an unusual sign: a buildup of pressure around her optic nerve, a condition called papilledema. The doctor suspected this could be caused by a brain tumor and immediately sent her for more tests.

An MRI scan confirmed a mass in her brain. At first, doctors thought it was a less serious tumor, but a biopsy revealed the heartbreaking truth. Rhiannon was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), also known as a grade 4 astrocytoma. This is an extremely fast-growing and aggressive form of brain cancer that is not curable. To make matters worse, the tumor's location made it impossible to remove with surgery.

What Is Glioblastoma Multiforme?

According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Glioblastoma (GBM) is a type of brain tumor that grows quickly and aggressively. It invades nearby brain tissue but usually doesn't spread to other parts of the body.

GBMs can either start on their own or develop from a less serious type of brain tumor. In adults, they most often appear in the main parts of the brain, particularly in the front and sides.

This is a very dangerous cancer that, if left untreated, can be fatal in six months or less. It's crucial to get care from experts like a neuro-oncologist and neurosurgeon right away, as immediate treatment can greatly improve a person's chances of survival. The symptoms of a brain tumor can differ depending on where it is located in the brain. Some common signs to watch for include:

• Persistent headaches
• Vision problems, such as blurry or double vision
• Feeling sick, which can include vomiting and a loss of appetite
• Changes in mood or personality
• Difficulty thinking or learning
• New seizures
• Speech problems that get worse over time

How Does Glioblastoma Multiforme Affect People?

Rhiannon is still coping with the shock of her diagnosis. The hardest part for her has been losing her independence. She can no longer work or drive, things she once took for granted. Now, she relies on others for support, which has shown her how truly generous and amazing her loved ones are.

Despite these challenges, Rhiannon is facing her illness with courage. She is taking each day as it comes, finding strength in the moments that matter. She refuses to give in to sadness and holds onto hope that new research will one day lead to a cure.

Rhiannon is sharing her story to highlight how important eye exams can be in finding a brain tumor. She urges everyone not to skip their regular eye appointments, even if they don't have any noticeable problems.

She specifically recommends an OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) scan, which gives a detailed look at the retina. This test can detect various eye conditions early, some of which may not show symptoms until they are more advanced. In Rhiannon's case, this simple test led to her life-saving diagnosis.

Lorcan Butler, an eye specialist, agrees, emphasizing that many health conditions, including brain tumors, can be spotted during a routine eye exam. If you have any concerns about your vision, he advises you to see an eye doctor right away.