Is Ryan Lochte’s Hair Green On Purpose?

Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte debuted ice blue hair before heading down to Rio a week ago, but now his hair has a not-so-subtle green tinge.

Our moms finger-wagged us for years about spending too much time in the chlorinated pool and ruining our hair color. How could Lochte, the half-human, half-fish who hangs out in pools full time, not know that this would happen?

He could have thought his swim cap would save him, or maybe this was part of his plan all along, in hopes of morphing into a real-life merman.

We suspect that his hair isn’t actually as green as it appears in photos, and instead the reflection from the mysteriously swampy pool in Rio was pouring into his still blue-gray locks. Still, bleached hair and chlorine is a recipe for mint green hair, and Lochte is a cautionary tale.

To prevent further greening, Lochte should follow these rules of thumb:

Don’t get into the pool with dry hair

“If you jump into the pool with dry hair, it’s going to suck up the chlorine-and-copper water as fast as possible,” says Sally Herschberger colorist Dana Ionato. “Wet it before you go in to prevent that.” If you can’t shower first, Ionato recommends coating hair with a deep conditioner before entering the pool.

Use a protective barrier

Even with a swim cap, your hair is likely to absorb the pool’s treated water, which will turn it green. “You have to use oil on the hair before going into the pool, as anything else will rinse right out once you hit the water,” says celebrity stylist Scott Fontana. “However, you have to keep your head covered, as oil will also cook your hair in the hot sun.” Fontana’s recipe for healthy pool hair includes olive oil topped with a swim cap.

Wash it out

“Even if it’s not with shampoo, an initial rinse will help your hair keep its color and strength,” says hairstylist Maria Russo. After the pool, replace some of the residual chemical-filled water with clean water.

But if you hair is already green…

Try a clarifying shampoo like Ultra Swim, and follow with deep conditioner to restore the stripped moisture. If that doesn’t work, stylists recommend ketchup for its acidity and opposite red color, which should balance the green and remove the minerals that caused the chemical reaction. Apply the ketchup to your hair and leave it for 20 to 30 minutes, then rinse with cool water.