Fansided

Ryan Lochte has green hair because science

By Sarabeth Pollock

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 9: Michael Phelps, Francis Haas, Ryan Lochte, Conor Dwyer of Team USA celebrate winning the gold medal during the medal ceremony of the men's 200m freestyle relay on day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 9: Michael Phelps, Francis Haas, Ryan Lochte, Conor Dwyer of Team USA celebrate winning the gold medal during the medal ceremony of the men's 200m freestyle relay on day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images) /
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As if the Rio Olympics’ diving pool turning green wasn’t enough, Ryan Lochte’s platinum hair is also turning green because of science.

There are certain things you can do to hair, and certain things you can’t (or shouldn’t) do. If you bleach your hair, there are things you’re really not supposed to do. Apparently no one told American swimmer Ryan Lochte that bleached hair does not fare well in chlorine, and Lochte’s platinum locks are now as green as the diving pool.

Unlike the pool, there is a very clear reason for the color change. No, there isn’t an algae bloom going on atop Lochte’s head. The interaction of chlorine and bleach causes a chemical reaction that leads to a greenish color in hair. And since Lochte is a member of the swim team, he spends a lot of time in the pool.

A general view shows green water in the pool of the diving event before the Women's Synchronised 10m Platform Final at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images)
A general view shows green water in the pool of the diving event before the Women’s Synchronised 10m Platform Final at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images) /

Unfortunately, short of shaving his head, there aren’t many options for Lochte and his green hair. He’ll have to get through the Olympics and stop getting into the pool for a while, he’ll have to grow the hair out and cut it later, or he’ll have to wait until the Olympics are over and then dye it to a difference color. Either way, he’s stuck with green hair for a while.

Lochte has a few more events on his plate at the Olympics. He has already earned a gold medal in the men’s 4×200 freestyle relay, and he is getting ready for the men’s 200m individual medley semifinals on Wednesday.

Next: Rio Olympics diving pool turns green overnight

Will the green hair bring him extra luck at the Olympics? Perhaps. But Ryan Lochte and his hair that matches the Rio 2016 decor may go down as one of the more festive swimmers on Team USA.

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