THE summer just became too hot to resist a cool, soothing dip in the inviting azure of the swimming pool.  

Just in case skin and hair worries are holding you back from taking that dip, worry no more.

Agreed, exposing your hair and skin to the summer sun and chlorine-mixed pool water are not an ideal way to treat them, but there are ways to protect them.

We speak to experts for some cool tips to do this.

Prevention as usual is better than cure

No matter how much anti-sun-tan lotion you rub on your body you will get partly tanned, thanks to the harsh Indian summers.

For this very reason Dr Aparna Santhanam, a consulting cosmetologist says that it is best if you avoid taking a swim between the hours 11 am to 3 pm as the sun is the harshest at that point of time.

Sunscreen a must

There is a reason why doctors stress on the use of sunscreen while swimming.

Dr Raj Parikh, dermatologist explains, " In the pool, you are not only exposed to the direct sunlight but also the sunlight reflected on the water. The reflection makes it more harmful."

He states a simple rule - 

- If the sunscreen is water proof than one needs to apply it every 80 minutes in water

- In case sunscreen is water -resistant you should apply it every 40 minutes.

Dr Aparna Santhanam cautions: "It has been proved in USA that no sunscreen is totally water resistant. So, one should reapply the sunscreen every 45 minutes in the least."

Photograph: Stock Xchange

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