Do we really need a water filter for the shower? The answer might surprise you

Africa and the Indian subcontinent, it can literally mean the difference between life and death for thousands of at-risk families. But even in the wealthiest countries of the world, municipal supplies can be far from perfect as this shocking report from USA Today eloquently explains.

There is little doubt, then, that drinking filtered water is something that we all need to think seriously about. The only safe alternative is to buy bottled water, but the environmental impact of all that plastic can be every bit as harmful to our natural world as those contaminants can be to a human body.

Shower filters

You might think, however, that the idea of using filtered water for your shower is taking things to something of an extreme. Drinking water is one thing, but surely a few contaminants in the water you are using to wash yourself is not going to do you any harm. Perhaps it’s time to think again. Products like the Berkey shower filter are growing in popularity, and the reason is far more than an idle craze. Let’s find out more.

From shower to bloodstream

Your skin is your body’s largest organ. As such, you need to take care of it. Studies have shown that even a quick shower results in your body absorbing more of the chemicals and contaminants in the water than drinking a gallon of the stuff. It’s a sobering thought. Of course, if you like your shower hot, the amount you absorb increases, as the pores naturally open up.

It might sound melodramatic, but if you live in a country where tap water is treated with chlorine or chloramines, the consequences can be just as bad, as you are essentially showering in a dilute pesticide. The chlorine absorption through the skin is not typically high, but in a hot shower, it is all around you in the water vapor, and you will be breathing it in by the lungful.

Numerous studies, including this research published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, suggest that the causative link between chlorinated water consumption and cancer is more likely due to showering in chlorinated water than drinking it.

What’s in that shower head?

Even if the water coming through the pipes is fine, that can change very quickly by the time it has passed through the shower itself. Professor Norm Pace has led a number of ground-breaking research projects at the University of Colorado, including a study on just what resides in your shower head.

His research revealed that 60 percent shower heads contain harmful bacteria and microorganisms. The most common is a pathogen called Mycobacterium avium, which can cause a range of serious conditions, including pulmonary disease.

Filtered shower water makes you feel better and look younger

You might be prepared to take your chances health-wise, but surely everyone wants to look and feel younger! Another side-effect of chlorinated water is that it is harsh on the skin itself. It tends to bond to the skin tissue, drying it out and upsetting its natural balance. In the long run, that means skin becomes dry, wrinkled and irritated – classic ingredients for what is known as premature ageing.

Your hair is similarly affected by chlorinated water. It strips away the natural oils and moisture there in exactly the same way, leaving your hair dry, frizzy and lackluster. The effects on your scalp can be even worse, and of course, the trouble here is that the damage can be invisible and therefore you will not be aware that anything is wrong till it is too late.

Showering in filtered water helps restore natural balance to your skin and hair. Even better, it will mean less need for to you to spend out money on expensive conditioners and moisturizing products.

Reduced exposure to chlorine and other contaminants doesn’t just make your skin and hair feel better. It will also leave you more revitalized, which is surely what a good shower is supposed to be all about. Again, it’s all down to chlorine exposure, which can lead to mental and physical fatigue, as well as having a detrimental effect on your autoimmune system.

A worthwhile investment

Put that way, you can certainly see why shower filters are becoming increasingly popular. Showering in filtered water protects your health from both water-borne contaminants and those that can build up in your own home, while reducing the signs of ageing and making you look better and feel better.

It will even reduce your monthly outgoings when you find yourself spending less money on cosmetic care products. The benefits are compelling and adding a filter means that shower time is about to get a whole lot better.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes.