Kicking the Chlorine: The Hidden Danger in your Shower Water
Chlorinated water is reserved for the local swimming pool, right? Not so much... You might not realize that the water that comes from your home taps has a surprising amount of chlorine in it too.
What is chlorine used for?
Just like in the local pool, chlorine is used in our piping systems to get rid of bacteria. In the UK, chlorine levels are relatively low when compared to elsewhere in the world (around 0.5mg/l). However, even this small amount can have an effect.
So, what are the effects of chlorine?
Ever noticed your eyes sting after a dip on holiday? That’s chlorine. It’s highly irritable to the skin and can leave it dehydrated, flakey and red. Even worse, if you suffer from an existing skin condition such as eczema or psoriasis, chlorine in your shower water could be exacerbating this.
Just as it damages your skin, chlorine in shower water takes it toll on your hair too. You might notice that you have a dry scalp, brittle hair or lots of fly always.
Chlorinated shower water doesn’t just affect us outside, it also has its effect on the inside too. Free radicals in chlorinated water have been found to weaken our immune systems. As we get older, our bodies are less able to detoxify them, allowing them to roam our bodies and – in some cases – cause dementia-like symptoms.
If you’re an asthma sufferer, you might find symptoms become worse after a hot shower. This is because chlorine evaporates in the water and when you breath in the steam, you’re also taking in chemical particles. These settle in your lungs and can heighten problems with asthma or even cause bronchitis.
The negative effects of chlorine have even been connected to more serious conditions such as cancer. Studies in the US have found that the chemical has been linked to colon, bladder and breast cancer. Research undertaken in Hartford actually found 50-60% higher levels of chlorination in the breast tissue of women suffering from breast cancer when compared to those without the illness.
Does Shower Water Have Chlorine?
It might surprise you, but the answer is yes—shower water often contains chlorine. While we commonly associate chlorine with swimming pools, it's also used in our home's water supply to eliminate bacteria and maintain water quality.
How can you protect yourself?
Using a filtered shower head helps to remove chlorine from water, so you can feel safe while showering. While most shower heads available on the market filter out chlorine using KDF (Kinetic Degradation Fluxion) or AC (Activated Charcoal), Vitaclean shower heads use Vitamin C.
Not only does Vitamin C neutralize the chemical, it also provides dry skin and hair with a boost. It helps to build collagen, keeping hair strong and shiny and skin looking plump and glowing. A Vitaclean shower head is easy to install and requires little maintenance. Plus, with our essential oil-infused filters, you can reap the benefits of an aromatherapy shower, all whilst protecting your skin, hair and well being.