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Pool Hygiene: Should You Shower After Swimming In The Pool?

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Pool Hygiene: Should You Shower After Swimming In The Pool?

Are you one of those people who immediately jumps out of the pool and races to the shower? If so, you’re not alone. Many people believe that showering after swimming is necessary in order to remove chlorine from their skin. In fact, Francesca Reynolds from Fort Lee, NJ wrote in and asked, “Whenever we swim at our community pool there is an overwhelming chlorine smell on us when we get home. Should I shower after swimming in the pool?

The question is one that many people often wonder about. In this article, we will discuss the effects of chlorine on the skin and why that chlorine smell after swimming might be driving you straight for the showers.

How Chlorine Reacts With The Skin

Chlorine is a chemical that is used to kill bacteria in swimming pools. While it is effective at killing bacteria, it can also be harsh on the skin. When chlorine comes into contact with the skin, it can cause irritation and dryness. In some cases, it can even lead to eczema. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to avoid swimming in chlorinated water altogether.

Instructions For Swimmers With Skin & Eye Sensitivity To Chlorine

If you do choose to swim in a pool that uses chlorine, there are a few things you can do to protect your skin. First, apply a generous amount of sunscreen before getting into the pool. This will help create a barrier between your skin and the chlorine. Second, try not to stay in the pool for too long. The longer you stay in, the more time your skin has to absorb the chlorine. Finally, make sure to rinse off with fresh water as soon as you get out of the pool. This will help remove any residual chlorine from your skin.

The Saltwater Alternative

If you are a regular swimmer, you may want to consider investing in a pool with a saltwater system. Saltwater pools use salt to generate chlorine, which is gentler on the skin than traditional chlorine. Saltwater pools are also easier to maintain because you don’t have to add chemicals as often. As an added benefit, saltwater pools tend to feel softer and silkier than chlorinated pools.

Should You Shower After Swimming In The Pool?

Wondering, should you shower after swimming? The answer is, yes. If you have truly sensitive skin, it may be best to avoid swimming in chlorinated water altogether. However, if you don’t have sensitive skin, there are steps you can take to protect your skin while swimming. Apply sunscreen, Rinse off with fresh water as soon as you get out of the pool, and consider investing in a saltwater pool.

Is Showering After Swimming in The Pool Necessary?

The addition of chlorine as a disinfectant to swimming pools protects you from waterborne pathogens. The ideal range is somewhere in the neighborhood of 1.0 to 3.0 parts per million. Just a little bit less chlorine is present than in drinking water which is typically 4 parts per million.

People who have discovered that swimming pool water affects their eyes are surprised by this fact. The cause or irritation is actually a chemical reaction between skin cells, sweat, lotions, and yes, even urine from other swimmers, which produces chloramines when it reacts with pool chlorine. If you’ve ever been to a public pool or a swimming pool at a resort, you will smell like chlorine because of these factors and when chlorine in the water can begin to cause skin and eye irritation.

While chlorine creates a safer swimming environment when it reacts with organic compounds a chemical reaction occurs which creates Trihalomethanes (THMs) which are toxic. Chlorine can also cause hair to take on a “bleaching” quality for those who spend an inordinate amount of time in the pool and even make hair turn green. To make a long story short, if everyone showers before entering the pool, the effects of THMs can be greatly reduced.

Swimming pools with outdoor shower amenities are becoming increasingly popular.
Swimming pools with outdoor shower amenities are becoming increasingly popular.

In general, experts advise taking a fast shower before entering a pool to lessen contamination and giving yourself a good scrub with shampoo and soap when you exit to remove any remaining chloramines. It’s also advisable to give your swimsuit a good washing too.

Aside from getting that chlorine smell off your skin and hair, swimming can take a lot out of you physically. A nice warm shower is a great way to wind down after exerting yourself swimming in the pool and we’re not the only ones who seem to feel that way. That feeling of “I need a shower” is almost universal and perhaps a contributing factor to why building an outdoor shower is fast becoming one of the more popular outdoor amenities to add when installing a swimming pool in the backyard.

5/5 - (16 votes)

Alise Everton has been working in the pool industry for the past decade and is an experienced press correspondent and contributor for numerous trade publications and web portals including PoolMagazine.com and PoolContractor.com among others. Contact her for guest posting opportunities, press releases, and pool equipment related news.

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Landslide Damages Homes, Destroys Swimming Pool in California

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Landslide Destroys Home, Damages Swimming Pool in California

A landslide wreaked havoc in Sherman Oaks early Wednesday morning, causing millions in damage and virtually destroying one homeowner’s swimming pool. The catastrophe unfolded at around 3 a.m. following reports from residents in the 3700 block of North Ventura Canyon Avenue, who noticed downed power lines and a large tree fallen into a backyard, as detailed in a press release by the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a significant portion of the hillside had shifted downward, endangering at least three homes and inflicting heavy damage on another under construction. Video footage captured by OnScene.TV revealed a gaping crack splitting through the backyard of one residence, with a section of the home visibly tilting to one side.

While no injuries were reported, several individuals were evacuated from at least one home, with firefighters resorting to pumping water out of a swimming pool to alleviate additional strain on the hillside. Unfortunately, part of the pool and home ultimately collapsed down a 30-foot cliff destroying another residence that was still under construction.

Responding to the crisis, the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety initially deemed one home unsafe, red-tagging the structure. However, their assessment later extended to two homes deemed unsafe and a third severely damaged, marked with a yellow tag. Ongoing drone surveys by firefighters aim to assess the extent of the damage and potential risks.

At present, the exact cause of the landslide remains undetermined, according to LAFD spokesperson Nicholas Prange. Requests for comment from the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety went unanswered.

Authorities seized the opportunity to remind residents of the necessity for year-round emergency preparedness, emphasizing the looming threats posed by wildfires and heavy rainstorms capable of triggering landslides.

The unfortunate incident follows March’s heavy precipitation in Southern California, with Sherman Oaks experiencing 1.95 inches of rainfall over March 6th and 7th, as reported by the National Weather Service.

4.9/5 - (12 votes)

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BofA Downgrades Latham Group Citing Weak Pool Construction Market

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BofA Downgrades Latham Group Citing Weak Pool Construction Market

Latham Group (NASDAQ: SWIM), a prominent player in residential swimming pool construction, faced a setback as Bank of America downgraded its stock due to concerns over sluggish new pool construction and increased decrementals.

With the downgrade, SWIM’s stock plummeted by 23.78% during pre-market trading on Wednesday, settling at $2.50, marking an 11% dip below its 200-day simple moving average.

Bank of America revised its recommendation on Latham Group stock to Underperform, slashing the price target from $4.50 to $2.60.

In its 2024 guidance announcement, SWIM projected revenues between $490M and $520M, falling short of the consensus estimate of $533.09M. Similarly, adjusted EBITDA guidance ranged from $60M to $70M, representing an 8% to 35% decrease compared to previous expectations.

The downgrade stems from a sluggish start to 2024, subdued projections for new pool construction, operational challenges leading to deleverage, and constrained free cash flow.

Management anticipates a 15% year-over-year decline in new pool construction for 2024.

These developments contrast with the optimistic sentiment among some sell-side analysts, who maintain a Buy rating on SWIM with an average price target of $3.54.

Scott Rajeski, President and CEO, stated, “Latham navigated a very difficult market environment in 2023. We successfully implemented cost reduction programs and lean manufacturing initiatives that structurally reduced our cost basis, while maintaining our investments in future growth. These cost reduction programs improved margins as the year progressed and we expect they will enable us to considerably expand margins and overall profitability once volumes recover. At the same time, we increased productivity and efficiency for our dealers, developed new fiberglass pool models, and invested in digital tools that have enhanced the consumer’s pool buying experience. As a result of these actions, Latham is positioned for meaningful market share gains as overall industry conditions improve.”

5/5 - (7 votes)

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Fluidra Launches €20 Million Venture Capital Fund – Fluidra Ventures

The company will invest €20 million in tech-based startups that offer emerging solutions that can enhance the pool and wellness sector.

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Fluidra Ventures

Fluidra, a global leader in connected equipment and solutions for the pool and wellness sector, is launching Fluidra Ventures, a €20 million corporate venture capital fund (CVC) investment to lead innovation in the sector.

The CVC will invest in each startup with the potential to revolutionize the industry on a global scale through their solutions, with a special focus on the United States and Europe. The goal of this first three-year phase is to build a solid portfolio of startups through investing in innovative companies.

The CVC will target startup initiatives that enhance efficiency, connectivity, sustainability and safety in the swimming pool and wellness business, leveraging IoT, computer vision and robotic solutions. It is looking for startups that add value to the pool and wellness sector with innovative business models, fostering direct customer interaction through sales, subscriptions and other channels. The CVC has already invested in Coral Smart Pool, a technology company aiming to transform the pool experience through Artificial Intelligence (AI) with an initial focus on pool safety.  

Fluidra Ventures will also invest in companies that innovate in engineering and science to advance materials and products that deal with swimming pool manufacturing, efficiency and maintenance.

Four segments and eight strategic guidelines

The fund is focused on four different segments — Commercial, Residential, Wellness and Mass Market—and has an investment thesis that covers eight strategic guidelines, from connected pools, resource optimization, digital platforms, innovative materials, security systems, personalized experiences, robotics and innovative consumable products.

Fluidra Ventures is fueled by Fluidra Lab, Fluidra’s open innovation division, and any startups that want to submit their proposals can send their investment pitch decks to [email protected]. Offering more than just investments, Fluidra aims to leverage this initiative to become the top strategic collaborator for the most innovative startups with the tremendous benefits that being an industry leader brings, such as: resources, scale successful business models, expertise, experience, and sales options.

“This initiative joins several others that we have at Fluidra to promote innovation in our industry. This is why here at Fluidra Ventures we’re excited about the transformative potential that this venture will have for the pool and wellness industry, driving forward innovation, sustainability and technological advancement”, said Eloi Planes, Fluidra’s Executive Chairman.

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