Do Shower Head Filters Protect the Skin From Toxins?

Many of us focus on the foods we ingest to ensure, as much as possible, that we prevent toxins from entering our body. Yet at the same time, we often fail to appreciate what we absorb via the skin – our largest organ of all.

Many personal care products contain ingredients that we should never let near our skin, which is why we should look carefully at labels before making such a purchase.

Using a shower head filter is just one way you can protect your skin from damage caused by toxins such as chlorine. In this article, we'll look at the negative consequences of prolonged exposure to such toxins.

When we are bathing or showering, our pores open up and can easily absorb toxins, many of which bioaccumulate in fat cells and intercellular fluid. That is why we should look at dechlorinating our shower water.

With over 3 trillion pores and a surface area of some 20 square feet, it is only natural that our skin should absorb chlorine, especially when you factor in the temperature most people shower at: warm temperatures make absorption easier, not least because they increase the likelihood of our inhaling toxins when breathing water vapour.

The hotter the water, the higher, too, the concentration of chloroform in the atmosphere.

This combination of what your skin absorbs, and your lungs inhale, makes showering in chlorinated water more than a fleeting concern.

In North America, perhaps more so than in the United Kingdom, the dangers of doing so have been underscored. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency noted some time ago that “virtually every home in America has a detectable level of chloroform gas in the air due to chlorine and showering.”

Researcher Bruce Black, during a meeting of the American Chemical Society, echoed this view: “Taking long, hot showers is a health risk… Householders can receive 6 to 100 times more of the chemical by breathing the air around showers and baths than they would by drinking the water.”

When inhaled, chloroform – which is produced naturally from chlorine – can cause heartbeat irregularities, wreak liver and kidney damage and cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea. It has also, like chlorine, been classified as a probable carcinogen.

While you can open windows to improve ventilation and minimise the risk of chloroform exposure, and endeavour to shower in water that is not piping hot, the simplest option is to install a shower head filter which gets rid of chlorine (and by extension chloroform) altogether.

The Biocera Premium Shower Head Filter is a great option. Not only does the shower head protect skin from toxins by effectively reducing the levels of chlorine in the water, but its bioceramic balls – which comprise dechlorinating ceramic balls, tourmaline far infrared ceramic balls and antibacterial balls – help energise the shower water itself.

It is a very cost-effective health investment and makes showering a far more pleasant experience, without the horrible chlorine smell. It is particularly beneficial for our skin and hair, as well as for respiratory problems aggravated by chlorine.

As an added benefit, the shower head filter helps save about 25% of water. Stylish and functional, it is easy to fit in place of your existing shower head. The dechlorinating cartridge requires replacement every 4 to 6 months, while the second cartridge does not require a replacement.

If you are keen to combat toxins more generally, Zeolite Plus is definitely worth a look. Specially formulated to support the body’s capacity to deal with heavy metals and other neurotoxins, it is composed of zeolite, humic acid, fulvic acid and over 70 trace minerals.

There is also some evidence to suggest that omega-3 oils can also counteract damage caused by air pollution.

According to the 2017 study, omega-3 fatty acids such as those found in flax, hemp and fish oils, can “both prevent and treat the inflammation and oxidative stress caused by air pollution, delivering a 30-50% reduction in harm.”

As such, using a high-quality daily fish oil supplement such as UnoCardio 1000 is a good idea. WHC’s omega-3 formulation has been ranked #1 for quality by independent aggregator Labdoor for several years. In addition to the anti-pollution effects, you’ll benefit from 1,000 i.u. of Vitamin D3.

If we are intent on eliminating 100% of the synthetic chemicals we come into contact with, we are fighting a losing battle. However, we can certainly limit our exposure and protect our skin by drinking good clean water, using a dechlorinating shower head filter, eating organic (pesticide-free) where possible, eschewing alcohol and avoiding fried food. Choice supplements can also help to rinse your system of impurities. Ultimately, it is about making smart choices every day.