Oh no!  That is really awful, RosaRL!!  I hope your hair grows quickly and super healthy now, and that you find a new form of excercise that you really enjoy and is hair friendly!!!!


Good Luck!!

As a kid growing up and a competitive swimmer, I  entered many pools that had their chemicals beyond acceptable limits.  This is sometimes done intentionally when they know if someone has cut themselves and bled into the pool, there was a significant rainfall when the pumps were not running (which would dilute the chemicals). they know a chld's diaper failed and feces entered the pool, or their chemical levels fell far below acceptable levels and they now need to shock the pool back up to the correct levels.  Guidelines say no one should use the pool when it is being shocked, but if it is a hot day and there are hundreds of people expecting to use the pool, they will sometimes allow it to be open and try to flush the water quickly by running the pumps faster.  About the only thing you can do is to ask when the levels were last tested (which should be at least twice a day) and are the levels in the middle range - not the high or low range.

As already mentioned, you should always pre-rinse your hair with tap/clean water before entering the pool.  I've been known to also add a bit of oil to my hair to protect it even more.

As for public verses privately owned pools - public pools have inspectors and rules to follow.  Privately owned pools do not have to follow those rules, so unless I know the owners and know that they are vigilant in mantaining the quality of the water, I avoild private pools.