Shower filters work similarly to other water filtration systems around your home, except the goal is not to reduce pharmaceuticals or heavy metals because those elements are more of a health risk if consumed. Instead, removing chlorine from your shower water will help prevent dry skin and hair, offer relief from itchy scalps, and help keep color-treated hair from fading. Chlorine also vaporizes quickly in hot water and is inhaled into your lungs. The concentration of chlorine in can be up to 20 times more than your tap water. Over time, this overexposure to chlorine can lead to respiratory health issues.

Why is there chlorine in water?

Some of the first cities in the United States to demonstrate the benefits of adding chlorine to the water supply was Chicago in 1908, and New Jersey in 1911. Prior to this point, the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid was common in people who drank from polluted rivers and streams in urban areas.

In water treatment systems, the amount of chlorine added should be offset by what is known as “chlorine demand“. People, plants, and other organisms absorb chlorine so we need enough chlorine to prevent water contamination further along in the system.

The Water Research Center writes that “chlorine readily combines with chemicals dissolved in water, microorganisms, small animals, plant material, tastes, odors, and colors.” They continue, “an effective disinfection system kills or neutralizes all pathogens in the water. It is automatic, simply maintained, safe, and inexpensive. An ideal system treats all the water and provides residual (long-term) disinfection.”

What makes chlorine such a problem?

In order to maintain safe water quality and ensure that people do not get sick because of germs or diseases, more chlorine is needed. This means that concentrations in water are expected to exceed what is required.

As we noted above, chlorine dissolves in water. When this occurs an equilibrium of chlorine, hypochlorous acid (HOCl), and hydrochloric acid (HCI) is reached. Meaning that after a long day at work or a hard workout, when you hop in the shower or draw a bath, you are washing yourself with corrosive acids that damage cells in your body.

Are there any negative effects of chlorine exposure?

Research from the New York Health Department indicates that “the severity of health effects depend upon the route of exposure, the dose and the duration of exposure to chlorine. Breathing high levels of chlorine cause fluid build-up in the lungs, a condition known as pulmonary edema. The development of pulmonary edema might be delayed for several hours after exposure to chlorine. Contact with compressed liquid chlorine may cause frostbite of the skin and eyes.”

Chlorine exposure can have many ill effects. The severity of chlorine exposure depends on whether or not it is diluted, consumed, or breathed, and for what length of time. When you swim in a pool, red and irritated eyes are common after spending an extended amount of time in the water. This is usually the result of chlorine.

The water you wash with in your shower is immediately flushed down which negates the benefits of the chlorine. In this regard, shower head water filters can help.

Solutions

There are two common methods for chlorine reduction in water. The first uses activated carbon to turn chrloine into a non-oxidative chloride ion which is less likely to cause damage to cells through a catalytic process.

The second is through the use of granular KDF (Kinetic Degradation Fluxion), a filtration media that uses some combination of alloy, copper, and zinc. Depending on the combination of elements, the resulting material can reduce bacteria and organic materials. To reduce chlorine, the KDF-media uses an electrochemical process that results in changing chlorine to soluble chloride that won’t cause excessive damage to your hair and skin.

We understand the importance of a good shower. That is why we carry some of the best shower filters and bath dechlorinators. Here are some of our favorites:

Culligan Hand Held Shower Filter with Massage

The Culligan Massaging Shower Head Filter features chlorine reduction of up to 99% and will also reduce scale, rust, sediment, sulfur odor, and other impurities in your shower water. You’ll enjoy the easy-to-handle design that comes with 5 massaging spray settings including full body, soft rain, and invigorating pulse.

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Rainshow’r Dechlorinating Shower Filter

The Rainshow’r Dechlorinating Shower Filter will leave your skin and hair feeling soft. It features an effective KDF-55 filter media that reduces 90% of chlorine from the water. Plus, it has crystalline quartz built into it that will provide an invigorating shower experience.

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Rainshow’r 3000 Crystal Ball Bath Dechlorinator

Soak in a hot bath and let the stress of your day melt away. Just don’t forget your dechlorinating crystal ball! You do not need any new plumbing or fittings to use this dechlorinator ball. Just put the ball in the bath and circulate through the water while the KDF filter media transforms chlorine into a harmless chloride.

The Rainshow’r Crystal Ball Bath Dechlorinator can remove up to 100% of chlorine in bath water. The replaceable KDF-55 filter will last up to 200 baths and includes energizing quartz crystals. Your skin and hair will feel noticeably softer and your mind and body will relax like never before!

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Culligan Shower Head Filter with Massage

Treat yourself to the Culligan Massaging Shower Head Filter! It features 5 spray settings ranging from full body, soft rain, invigorating pulse, and more! Don’t put up with chlorine damaging hair and skin.

This massaging shower head filter will reduce chlorine, scale, rust, sediment, the odor of sulfur, and other impurities in your shower water. You don’t need any tools to install it, just hook up to existing plumbing for a better shower experience.

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When you know better, you do better. Now that you know that chlroine in your shower water can have some long-term health effects, it’s time to invest in a shower filter!