Skin feels drier after adding SWG, not sure why?

[aztodd]

I converted our pool to SWG at the beginning of this season and, among other benefits, was looking forward to the "feel" of salt water that everyone seems to notice.

I do like the SWG but the water feels no different to me than before, and if anything I have noticed that my skin consistently feels drier after swimming and to the point where I need to apply lotion to relieve the itchiness.

Anyone else have this experience or am I just a weird outlier?

I keep my FC between 4-6 with CYA at 70. pH is kept between 7.6 and 8.0. Salt is at 3600 ppm.

 

[Newdude]

Anyone else have this experience or am I just a weird outlier?

For every rule there is an exception to it. I hope some folks have ideas because it would be a shame if you didn’t see the benefits that most of us do.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Todd,

Well, you also love your "Poolvergnuegen" so I vote for weird outlier...

Saltwater has the opposite effect on me.. I guess that all people and pools are all a little different.

The good news is the "feel" is not the main reason to own a SWCG.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Dave31410]

I am not an expert but I suggest raising the FC, lowering the pH and salt level. What is your combined CL level?

 

[jakeg]

I can't say I have noticed a huge difference in mine, but I do think it feels a little softer. I definitely don't think my skin feels more dry though. Just trying to think outside the box - What is your CH at? I know we tend to have a lot of calcium in our fill water in AZ - maybe really high CH can irritate skin?

 

[jakeg]

I can't say I have noticed a huge difference in mine, but I do think it feels a little softer. I definitely don't think my skin feels more dry though. Just trying to think outside the box - What is your CH at? I know we tend to have a lot of calcium in our fill water in AZ - maybe really high CH can irritate skin?

Just kidding - I just saw that you use softened water for your fill water in your signature. CH probably isn't an issue then.

 

[Flying Tivo]

Try your Ph around 7.2-7.4.

 

[Newdude]

Hey Todd, new thought.

Any chance you are using a new sunscreen and are sensitive to it ? I know a couple people who have become gluten sensitive/allergic this last year and it’s in many sunscreens. My daughter is allergic and will turn beat red within minutes of applying the wrong brand. (Of course it’s *any* of the easy to find ones).

it could be that you’ve picked up a level of sensitivity (gluten or many other additives) and are having the dry skin / discomfort from the sunblock.

I find that’s usually the only time I’ll use sunblock is if I know I’m going to be at the pool all day. The rest of the time I’m usually not outside for hours and hours.

 

[Oly]

I'm curious to know if your cell is beginning to load up and start acting up after looking at your pH, TA, CH and CSI numbers for the last month.
I was is a similar spot with my TA, pH and CSI and have been observing some cell loading resulting in lower amperage and reduced salt ppm readings.
There seems to be a good reason to reduce TA lower pH and run a negative CSI in my situation anyway.

 

[wgipe]

I thought the same thing after firing up our SWCG. I’ve let the salt level drift down a fair bit through rainwater and splash-out. I have definitely noticed that as the salt level came down a bit that went away. That said, correlation is not causation, so I may be connecting things that aren’t connected. That said, both my wife and I have noticed it got better. You can see my logs if you want to see where I started V’s where I’m at now with levels.

 

[aztodd]

I'm curious to know if your cell is beginning to load up and start acting up after looking at your pH, TA, CH and CSI numbers for the last month.
I was is a similar spot with my TA, pH and CSI and have been observing some cell loading resulting in lower amperage and reduced salt ppm readings.
There seems to be a good reason to reduce TA lower pH and run a negative CSI in my situation anyway.

Good question, I'll have to check it this weekend. I have been meaning to take the steps to drop my TA but just haven't gotten around to it yet

Any chance you are using a new sunscreen and are sensitive to it ?

I don't think it's likely, we mostly swim at dusk this time of year and so nobody is generally wearing sunscreen then anyway. I like the outside the box thinking though!

 

[aztodd]

Just wanted to circle back here since I've been paying closer attention to my itchiness related to the pool chem levels. I have come to the conclusion that my itchy skin is mostly related to the pH level. When it's 7.4-7.6 my skin feels great, but when it creeps above 7.8 it starts to bother me.