Paul Mitchell Shampoo Three for Chlorine Removal Review

Written by Camelia Smith

Updated on June 30, 2023

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The Paul Mitchell Shampoo Three is a clarifying shampoo that removes chlorine and hard water minerals from the hair.

It’s useful for swimmers, hot tub users, and people who live in hard water areas.

Here’s my review after trying it on my vacation, where I spent pretty much all of my time in the pool.

Paul Mitchell Shampoo Three Review

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Shampo Three is part of John Paul Mitchell Systems’ Originals line of hair products.

You may have seen their products lining up the shelves of famous hair salons. Paul Mitchell is a hair care brand synonymous with high-quality, professional-grade hair products that are cruelty-free and 100% vegan.

This shampoo is specifically formulated to remove chlorine and dulling buildup from hard water minerals by using uses strong chelating agents.

Chlorine is a chemical substance used in swimming pools to disinfect the water and kill bacteria. It is a highly reactive, yellowish-green gas with a distinct odor and corrosive and oxidizing properties. While it is good at keeping pool water clean and safe for swimming, it is not good for your hair.

If you spend a lot of time in swimming pools or hot tubs, you’ve probably noticed that your hair feels dry and brittle. This is because chlorine oxidizes the hair and strips it of its natural oils and moisture. The more time you spend in the pool, the more damage chlorine will do to your hair.

The best way to neutralize chlorine from the hair is by using hair products containing chelating agents.

Chelating agents are chemical compounds that can dissolve metal and mineral ions. When used in shampoos, they bind to hard water minerals and chlorine to nullify them, break them down, and make them soluble and washable.

My Personal Experience and The Shampoo’s Qualitites

I was looking for an anti-chlorine shampoo that I could grab for my vacation to Punta Cana (Dominican Republic). This was the only one I found with a 100 ml capacity that was cheap enough and suitable for traveling.

Since I would spend almost all 10 days in the pool or on the beach with my besties, I needed a shampoo that could help me remove the chlorine and salt water to keep my hair soft and manageable.

I used The Paul Mitchell Chlorine removal shampoo on alternate days, and the results were pretty good. The shampoo did not let my hair dry out. It gave my hair a sense of relief and freshness. After only 2 washes, my hair may feel softer, smoother, and more hydrated.

I would have loved for this shampoo to have the same Pina Colada scent of the Paul Mitchell No 1 shampoo, but this one has a lighter scent of pink grapefruit. Still clean and energizing.

The Paul Mitchell anti-chlorine shampoo lathers well, rinsing out easily and leaving no residue. I like that the shampoo is a clear, runny liquid. It did not leave any white residue or irritate my scalp, considering my skin was so dry from the sunshine. In fact, it left my scalp feeling refreshed and hydrated.

Customer Reviews in General

What initially convinced me to buy this shampoo was the excellent reviews. 7684+ customer reviews with 78% 5-star and 13% 4-star ratings.

The 2% of poor reviews were mostly related to packaging and the scent.

Here are some of the key points in the reviews:

• It lathers nice and cleans your hair squeaky clean.
• Best clarifying shampoo that I have used to date.
• The shampoo works well for very oily hair.
• It did not tangle my heat damaged 4c hair and left my scalp feeling incredibly clean after usage.
• You barely need much to feel it working, which is almost instant once applied in the shower.
• I think it was worth the money. I wish it had more of a scent, but that’s okay.
• Like an eraser for hair gunk.
• Seems to get the chlorine out pretty well.
• A bit of a mess when delivered.

So these were my experience and what others had to say about the Paul Mitchell 3 shampoo.

Let’s see what else you can use this shampoo for …

Benefits of Using the Paul Mitchell No 3 Shampoo

It Prevents Swimmers Chlorine Green Hair

Chlorine green hair is a condition that causes light-colored hair to turn green and brassy after prolonged exposure to chlorinated water, such as in a swimming pool.

Chlorine reacts with proteins in the hair, particularly those containing the amino acid tyrosine, and can form a chemical compound called “chloromelanin.” Chloromelanin has a greenish-yellow color, which can give light-colored hair a greenish tint.

The formation of chloromelanin can be exacerbated by several factors, including the length of exposure to chlorinated water, the concentration of chlorine in the water, and the hair’s porosity. Individuals with blonde or light-colored hair may be more susceptible to green shades due to their hair’s natural tendency to be more porous and absorb more chemicals.

A good anti-chlorine shampoo must be used after swimming in chlorinated pools to prevent chlorine-green hair. Protective hair care like a swim cap or a swimmers’ leave-in conditioner can also prevent chlorine from saturating the hair.

The Paul Mitchell Clarifying shampoo is an excellent product that helps prevent swimmers’ chlorine green by inhibiting chloromelanin formation in the hair.

It Prevents Brassy Tones in Blonde Hair

Brassy tones refer to the yellow, orange, or reddish discoloration that can occur in blonde or light-colored hair due to exposure to chlorine.

Chlorine is a highly reactive chemical that can make the hair porous and cause hair damage. When hair is exposed to chlorine, the chlorine molecules can penetrate the hair shaft and react with the hair’s proteins, including keratin. This reaction can break down the hair’s protein structure, causing it to become weaker and more porous.

As a result, the hair can absorb more of the minerals and metals present in the water, such as copper and iron. These minerals can build up in the hair and cause it to take on a brassy or yellowish tint. The specific tone of the discoloration can depend on the individual’s hair color and the concentration of minerals in the water.

When used immediately after swimming, the Paul Mitchell No 3 Chlorine Removal shampoo can prevent chlorine damage. It immediately rinses the chlorine chemicals away to prevent them from further oxidizing the hair.

It Prevents Color Fade from Pool Water

Pool water and sea water can both contribute to color fading. Again the prime reason is oxidizing.

Oxidizing means a chemical reaction in which the hair’s natural pigment molecules are broken down, causing a change in hair color.

Hair oxidation is a key component of many hair treatments, such as dyeing and bleaching. In these processes, the oxidizing agent is used to lift the hair’s natural pigment and replace it with a new color.

In the context of chlorine, the lift only does one thing. It bleeds hair color fast.

To prevent oxidation, the Paul Mitchell Three shampoo clarifies the hair immediately to remove chlorine iron and minerals.

Ingredients

Aqua (Water, Eau), Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Urea, Magnesium Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Thiosulfate, Glycine, Leucine, Tyrosine, Cysteine, Plantago Major Leaf Extract, Trticum Vulgare (Wheat) (Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein), Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract, Sodium Borate, Sulfated Castor Oil, Disodium EDTA-Copper, Tetrasodium EDTA, Magnesium Carbonate, Trisodium EDTA, Magnesium Nitrate, Bisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 Aminoethyl PG-Propyl Dimethicone, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Glycolate, Trisodium NTA, Magnesium Chloride, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Parfum (Fragrance), Limonene.

The Key ingredients in this shampoo are Disodium EDTA, Sodium Glycolate, Trisodium NTA. The chelating agents do the heavy lifting to remove chlorine and hard water mineral deposits.

Tips to Use the Paul Mitchell No 3 Shampoo Effectively

Here are some tips for using an anti-chlorine shampoo more effectively for best results:

1. Apply to wet hair.
2. Massage the shampoo thoroughly.
3. Make sure it reaches the scalp too.
4. Focus on the areas where the hair is most affected.
5. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes.
6. Rinse your hair with lukewarm water.
7. Follow up with a regular conditioner.
8. If you swim frequently, do a deep conditioning treatment once a week.

Paul Mitchell Chlorine Removal Shampoo Vs. TriSwim Chlorine Removal Swimmers Shampoo?

Both TriSwim and Paul Mitchell Three Shampoo are designed to effectively remove chlorine and other impurities from hair. They are suitable for all hair types, including color-treated hair, and have a mild scent that is pleasant to use.

TriSwim only comes in one size, 8.5 fl oz (251 ml), whereas the Paul Mitchell Three shampoo comes in 5 sizes. 100 ml, 300ml, 500ml, 1000 ml.

TriSwim Chlorine Removal Swimmers Shampoo contains Aloe Vera, Vitamin A, and Pro-Vitamin B5, which help to gently cleanse the hair while restoring its natural texture and shine. On the other hand, Paul Mitchell Three Chlorine Removal Shampoo contains Tetrasodium EDTA, Trisodium HEDTA, and Disodium EDTA-Copper, which work together to remove chlorine and other impurities from the hair.

Comparing the price per ml, the Paul Mitchell shampoo seems better value for money.

Final Thoughts

The Paul Mitchell shampoo Three is an excellent shampoo to have by your side when you’re off on vacation or if you use swimming pools, jacuzzis, and hot tubs a lot.

You may not realize how much chlorine can dry your hair until you use this shampoo to see the transformation!

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About the Author

Camelia Smith

Camelia Smith can color hair, perform keratin treatments, bleach hair, and even cut curly hair. She is our go-to person whenever we have hair treatments and styling questions.

She's also currently training as a freelance makeup artist and is passionate about helping others feel beautiful in their skin. When she's not writing or doing hair, she's usually spending time watching British period dramas.