Is showering every day good for your health? Most of us shower at least once per day with the belief that it’s good for our health and beauty.
What if showering frequently in public tap water could be bad for your health?
Whereas there is limited scientific evidence that
chlorine in drinking water bad for your health it is more when it comes to showering. Even professionals at the municipal water companies will admit risks with hot showers as the water vaporises and forms THMs.
In this article we explore the risks and 5 reasons to use a
shower filter for better health.
Risks and side effects of showering in chlorinated water
There is a range of side effects associated with showering with chlorinated water. These are the most common ones:
- Dry or irritated skin
- Hair that is brittle, dry or frizzy
- Hair loss
- Red or irritated eyes
- Irritated sinuses
- Cancer related THMs
While dry skin and hair can be annoying they generally don't cause any long term damage.
The most worrying is THMs. When chlorine reacts with organic matter in water it forms disinfectant byproducts, e.g. trihalomethanes (THMs) of which at least one may be cancer-causing. Multiple studies around the world have highlighted this but the research is still inconclusive about the size of the risk. In the meantime it’s probably better to be safe than sorry. Especially hazardous for children and pregnant women. Find more details in
Facts and Myths section.
Showering in chlorinated water can also be detrimental for people who have pre-existing skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis or rosacea. Removing chlorine from your water supply will reduce your risk of developing a serious disease; as well as improving your appearance.
Some studies show similar effects as to those from extensive sun exposure. EPA (the US Energy Protection Agency) formulates it like this: “chlorine byproducts trigger the production of free radicals in the body, causing cell damage, and are highly carcinogenic”.
Note that we’ve focused on chlorine but the chloramine used by some public water suppliers faces the same risks.
5 reasons to use a shower filter for better health
The risks of showering with chlorinated water have been highlighted above. Here are 5 simple reasons why a shower filter will be better for your health:
- Skin - Your skin will be less dry and feel softer
- Hair - The hair will suffer less from the dryness caused by chlorine as well as the impact on the scalp
- Eyes - Reduce the risk of suffering red eyes from showering, especially for children and infants
- Breathing - Showering in hot water can be good for your health, especially if you have a sore throat or cough but breathing chlorine chlorine by-products is not healthy
- Cancer-risk - Eliminate the risk of exposure to cancerogenic byproducts from chlorine
Conclusion about a shower filter benefits for your health
In conclusion, if the water where you live is chlorinated or very hard then you should consider using a water filter. The health benefits are clear.
Read more about the
best shower water filters.
Is the water where you live safe to shower in? Find out what the water is like in
Spain and
Europe and in the
how to read the water report.
The risks of showering with chlorinated water have been highlighted above. Here are 5 simple reasons why a shower filter will be better for your health:
