Noticed that you're more tired after a shower? Your skin is itchy? Your hair is dry? Red irritated eyes? It's hard to even breathe in there?
You've already got a water filter for drinking clean water (omg if you don't, please please please get one - here is my favourite). But did you know that the water you shower with can be just as harmful as drinking tap water?
Here are just some of the chemicals coming through your shower head:
- Free chlorine
- Combined chlorine (Sodium Hypochlorite)
- Hydrogen sulfide (that rotten egg smell)
- Iron oxide (rust water)
- Copper (from copper pipes)
- Dirt
- Sediment
- Odours
Next time you're in there, take a notice of the odour of these chemicals - it might surprise you! Once you smell them, you can't un-smell them.
Unfiltered shower water can contain several chemicals like chlorine as well as bacteria and fungus from the shower head (ew!). And your skin, being your biggest organ (ew too but cool), literally drinks it all up. On top of that, warmer temperatures means that these chemicals are absorbed through the skin quicker. Documented scientific studies conclude that taking long hot showers is a health risk.
Showering in chlorinated water may also cause pre-existing conditions, such as asthma and eczema, to become exacerbated.
Note: yes, Aussie water is 'cleaner' in comparison to third world countries, but clean doesn't mean chemical-free. 'Safe' and 'regulated' amounts of chlorine and fluoride for ingestion is absolutely BS! These significantly effect and kill beneficial bacteria in the gut - and the Poo fairy is not ok with that!
Here are just some of the benefits of using a shower filter
- softer skin
- silkier hair
- clearer air
- prevents illness and cancers
Let me explain these further.
But first, let's talk about the elephant in the room please. His name is Chlorine.
We know that chlorine is universally used to chemically disinfect water. It kills germs, bacteria and other living organisms. Here is how chlorine works: It readily passes through the cell wall and attaches to the fatty acids of the cell, disrupting the life-sustaining functions of the organism.
But showering in chlorinated water may be worse than drinking chlorinated water - hence why boiling and bottled water is still not enough. Chemicals absorbed through the skin can enter the blood stream quickly especially at warm temperatures.
But wait, there's much more. Chlorine it's not just absorbed through the skin, but also vaporises above room temperature, where it is inhaled into the lungs, and transported directly into the blood system - scary!
Let's talk some chemistry here: In the shower environment, chlorine can either be in a liquid or gas state. At higher temperatures in the enclosed shower stall, free-chlorine moves from the liquid to the gas state, where it vaporises and is subsequently inhaled. Chlorine combines with fatty acids and carbon fragments to form a variety of harmful compounds and byproducts like tri-halo-methanes (THMs). Nothing angelic about these. THMs have been linked to cancer. One of these THMs is chloroform - you know, the chemical criminals use to cause victims to pass out in the crime movies? This can be why you feel tired after taking a shower.
Medical studies suggest a link between absorption and inhalation of chlorine in the shower environment, with elevated risks for diseases and serious illnesses.
Showering in chlorinated water may also cause pre-existing conditions, such as asthma and eczema, to become exacerbated.
Why we all need a shower/bath filter.
1. Softer Skin
Unfiltered water makes many skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and dry skin more irritated. It can leave the skin feeling drier and scaly with residue. Taking weekly relaxing baths? Bathing in unfiltered water means chemicals enter through the skin at a high rate. Eliminating these chemicals through a water will leave your skin more moisturised, smoother and softer - and will save you time and money buying body moisturisers (most that contain harmful chemicals and preservatives).
Recently, I visited my parents place in Melbourne, and I noticed that my skin was instantly insanely itchy when I came out - a quick 5 minute job fixed this. I want you leaving the shower feeling fabulous like this GIF girl after her shower!
2. Shiny Hair
Minerals and oxidisers from unfiltered water can leave hair feeling unclean even when you have rinsed and repeated. These residues strip moisture leaving your hair dry and your scalp flaky - which only breaks hair easily. Save loads of money and time on expensive hair treatments by quickly installing a shower filter.
3. Clearer eyes.
Yep, you guessed it, the chlorine in the water can irritate your eyes, so a shower filter removing chlorine will reduce red irritated eyes.
4. Cleaner Air
Hot shower water vaporises and releases THMs into the air. Warm air also opens the lungs making inhalation of these chemicals scarily effortless. Got asthma, hay fever or any other respiratory conditions? Then you'll notice a difference with having a shower filter. Since showers are one the highlights of the day (especially in iso), it's even better when you're able to breathe that much better.
5. Helps Prevent Illnesses and cancer?
Chemicals present in shower water have been linked to cancer and other health problems. Several studies have found that communities using chlorinated drinking water have an increased risk of kidney, bladder and rectal cancers. This one is sure to blow your mind: one study found that women with breast cancer have 50% – 60% higher levels of chlorination byproducts in their breast tissue than women without breast cancer.
Don't worry, I have you covered! You can get this affordable, super easy to install, no tools needed shower/bath filter from 'Bec's gut pantry'. Find out more information on the shower/bath filter here.
How does the shower/bath filter work?
In shower filtration, free-chlorine is converted into a harmless much larger chloride element that is too large to evaporate or be absorbed by the skin. It is then carried harmlessly through the water supply. The scientific name for this chemical reaction is known as “Reduction-Oxidation”, commonly referred to as Redox (remember redox reactions in chemistry class?)
If you have a bathtub, then I'd recommend getting one for the shower and for the bath, otherwise just alternate from the shower head for your baths as it's very simple to unscrew.
Well, taking a warm shower is the best part of the day - so if you're going to shower, shower right. Am I right?
Bec is obsessed with your gut...in more of an enthusiastic-than-creepy way! Book online for a consultation with Bec or contact us to learn more about how Natural Medicine and Colon Hydrotherapy can help you say good-bye to your gut issues!
*This blog is for educational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or other qualified health practitioners before acting on information on this article, particularly if you have a medical condition, taking medication or if you are pregnant.