With people becoming more and more conscious each year, one of the things that has gained traction lately is shower filters. Now, you may wonder: how does a shower filter contribute to better health? Believe it or not, there are a lot of proven health benefits brought about by this genius innovation. In today’s article, we’ll be sharing with you the science behind shower filters and how they work.

What is a shower filter, and what does it do?

Shower filters are a type of water filtration system usually attached to the shower head to strain water of chlorine, impurities, and other sediments that can harm your skin and hair. It’s a common practice among water supply plants to add a certain percentage of chlorine into the water to disinfect it from bacteria and other contaminants.

What kind of contaminants are present in the water, and how are they harmful to us?

With that said, there are times wherein the said mineral tends to be too strong and overbearing, especially for newly added chlorine, thus giving it a strong odor and taste.

But that’s not all; too much chlorine in the water can trigger skin reactions, making it dry, flaky, and susceptible to abrasions. This issue is even harder for people with sensitive skin.

What’s more, it also dulls your hair, making it brittle and more susceptible to breakage. With these issues combined, it can create anxiety and insecurities, which affect one’s mental health and self-esteem.

How do shower filters work?

As mentioned earlier, shower filters “strain” these impurities and improve the quality of water. You can now bathe knowing that there are no irritants present in the water passing through your body, making it gentle on your hair and skin. There are many types of shower filters available on the market, and you can even check out the catalog of Fettle Effect shower head filters to get an idea of the type you need at home. Ultimately, it all boils down to the kind of filter media used since some are more effective in ridding certain pollutants compared to others. The most common types of filter media are:

Activated carbon. As one of the most popular filter media, activated carbon removes specific impurities and chemicals from the water but focuses more on organic chemicals like chlorine and hydrogen sulfide. The only downside of this material is that it does not effectively remove microbes and other minuscule particles.

KDF. KDF is short for Kinetic Degradation Fluxion and is made up of copper and zinc. This filler effectively removes a variety of impurities and contaminants like chlorine, mercury, and other organic minerals. They are the most common filter media used in showers because, among other types, KDF is the most effective when used at high water temperatures.

Ceramic beads. Contrary to their name, ceramic beads are not actually made up of beads; instead, they are small, porous tubes that filter water. It filters water by acting like a magnet, attracting the contaminants through a chemical process. Ceramic beads are also known to effectively improve the water’s taste and smell and are effective against limescale. With this filter media, you can rest assured that your toilet bowls will be limescale-free. However, make sure you clean them out regularly and thoroughly to avoid bacteria growth and production. They have a pretty long lifespan, but if the beads are damaged, then they should be replaced immediately.

Combination filter. As the name suggests, a combination filter is made up of several filtration methods and media where it performs more than one function. It comes in different types and combinations, like the dual-system setup wherein the water filter and water softener are combined. By doing so, it eliminates the need to use two different units, which can save up space and costs. Filter-wise, one example of such is the carbon filter and sediment; this combination removes sediments, chlorine, and other fine particles from the water.

Do I need to install a shower filter in my home?

Installing shower filters isn’t really considered a necessity, but there are certain benefits to doing so, including the following:

Say goodbye to dry, flaky skin. Since the shower filter will eliminate chlorine in the water, you can now wash up easily, knowing that you’ll emerge from the shower squeaky clean with all your natural oils intact. But don’t make it a habit to stay under running water when showering; it can still dry you out, so it’s best to limit your wash time for maximum benefits.

Your hair becomes shinier. Continuing with the above benefits, your hair will also reap the benefits of quality water, thanks to your shower filter. Now, you can wash your hair without worrying if it will dry out and become prone to breakage since there’s no more chlorine in the water. If you have colored hair, expect its vibrancy to last longer too, also making your crowning glory more manageable and fuller compared to before.

Lesser skin irritations. Having sensitive and dry skin is bad enough as it is, so it would be a great help, especially for people who suffer from these ailments, to get a shower filter to better their water quality. Can you imagine spending a lot of cash for treatment and skincare products to help soothe your dry skin only for it to get worse because of poor water quality? Don’t make this dreadful mistake since it will not only make you more uncomfortable than you already are; you are also forced to pay extra costs for medicine and treatment.

Reduced exposure to harmful contaminants. Apart from chlorine, chloramine is another chemical compound that you should be wary of. Not only can it irritate your skin but your eyes as well upon contact, and when you inhale it, chloramine can also irritate your throat and nose, which can trigger coughing and shortness of breath.

Shower filters are not a one-save miracle that will heal you of all your health issues, but installing them will greatly improve the quality of water you use for bathing. In turn, you can expect improvement in your hair and skin condition, thus improving your quality of life.