Two of the most noticeable features of a person are their skin and hair. This is why it’s not surprising to see how many of us are ready to splurge on the best treatments to achieve blemish-free skin and even attain healthy, long, and lustrous locks. But all of that may be for naught if the water you’re using for cleansing is not that “clean.” There are many hard minerals and impurities invisible to the naked eye that affect both our hair and skin. This is where a showerhead filter comes in, since it can significantly improve your skin’s sensitivity and dry hair.
How does the presence of chlorine negatively affect my shower water?
Chlorine is known for its powerful disinfecting properties, which is why this element is added to public water systems before they’re distributed to each household. Thanks to these, the water that runs through every residence is bacteria- and virus-free, making it safe for consumption. However, there’s a downside to too much chlorine in the water, and it’s how it can strip away the natural moisture from our skin and proteins in our hair.
You see, when you take a hot shower, the chlorine in the water is vaporized, which we inhale, making it easier to absorb into our skin. Of course, continuous exposure like this leads to a series of skin issues such as
- Dryness and flakiness.
- Clogged pores.
- Irritation and redness.
- Accelerated aging.
Sad to say, these aren’t the only adverse effects of being exposed to chlorine, since it also has negative effects on our hair through the following:
- Dry and brittle hair.
- Frizz and tangling.
- Dull and lifeless locks.
- Color fading.
- Scum builds up on the scalp.
How does a chlorine showerhead filter work?
Now that you have an idea of the many negative effects of chlorine exposure, why sacrifice yourself to suffer these when you can avoid them by using a showerhead filter? As the name suggests, a chlorine shower head filter is an effective mechanism to remove or neutralize chlorine in the water. Take note, chlorine isn’t the only thing it addresses, since there are many shower filters, like the Fettle Effect chlorine shower head filter, which also sieve through pollutants and impurities that are harmful to our hair and skin.
Showerhead water filters do their job thanks to the filter cartridge located within their contraption. This cartridge has a filtration media, often made up of different materials, that effectively removes chlorine and other pollutants. Here are three of the most commonly used filters on the market:
- Activated carbon.
- Kinetic degradation fluxion (KDF).
- Calcium sulfite.
How do I choose and maintain my chlorine shower filter?
As mentioned before, there are many different kinds of chlorine showerhead filters, but they’re fairly easy to use and maintain, which makes them a great addition to the household.
If you’re choosing a filter, you might want to consider the following factors:
Filtration media. Some of the most effective filters on the market are KDF, activated carbon, or calcium sulfite, so check the label if they mention these filtration media, since these are the most effective when it comes to chlorine removal.
Flow rate. Water pressure is important during shower time, so make sure that the showerhead filter of your choice does not affect the water pressure. Although most showerhead filters are designed to maintain a good flow, it’s best to ask the professionals if it won’t affect your water pressure at home.
Filter lifespan and capacity. Replacing the filter is fairly easy for your showerhead filters, but you need to be mindful of how many gallons of water they are rated to purify and how long the filter will last. By doing so, it will give you an idea of how frequently you need to replace the cartridge and allow you to set a budget for it.
Compatibility. You should also check if your chosen showerhead filter is compatible with the showerhead you have at home. Although most filters are generally designed to fit standard showerheads, it’s best to get it checked, since if it doesn’t fit, you may be required to purchase a showerhead filter that comes with a new showerhead instead.
Maintenance-wise, showerhead filters only need to have the cartridge replaced regularly, since the filtration media gets saturated over time. Manufacturers often provide clear-cut instructions on how to do this, and it’s fairly easy to do, so you won’t have any problems when it’s time to change the cartridge.
