Is Chlorine Ruining Your Hair? How to Protect It?

Chlorine is commonly used to disinfect water, effectively killing harmful bacteria like E. coli. While it's essential for making water safe to drink and use, its impact on hair and scalp can be concerning. Frequent exposure to chlorinated water, especially from showering, can have detrimental effects on hair health, causing damage that is often difficult to reverse.

Chlorine and Hair Health When in contact with hair, chlorine binds to the natural oils (sebum) and proteins that protect the hair and scalp. This strips away the protective layers, leading to hair dryness, breakage, and frizz. Over time, this exposure weakens the hair strands by making keratin (the primary protein in hair) water-soluble, reducing the hair's strength and elasticity.

For those with chemically treated or colored hair, chlorine can accelerate damage and cause hair color to fade faster by reacting with melanin. Additionally, chlorine's drying effect can result in split ends, coarser texture, and overall dullness. While chlorine doesn't directly cause hair loss, its cumulative damage can lead to hair thinning and brittleness, making it more prone to breakage.

Scalp Health and Chlorine Chlorine not only affects hair but also negatively impacts scalp health. Prolonged exposure to chlorinated water can disrupt the natural pH balance of the scalp, leading to irritation, itchiness, and dryness. Chlorine strips away the natural oils that keep the scalp hydrated, which may contribute to dandruff, flakiness, and in severe cases, even inflammation or eczema.

Hair Texture and Appearance Hair that is constantly exposed to chlorinated water tends to lose its shine and becomes rough and difficult to manage. The chemicals in chlorine, especially in high concentrations, can alter the hair's structure, making it prone to frizz and tangling. The lack of moisture from constant chlorine exposure leads to a lifeless, coarse appearance, making styling and maintenance difficult.

Chlorine in Home Tap Water vs. Chlorine in Swimming Pool Water

While both tap water and swimming pool water contain chlorine, the concentration levels differ significantly, leading to varying degrees of damage to hair and scalp. Chlorine levels in tap water are generally lower than in swimming pools, but daily exposure during showers can cause cumulative damage over time. Showering in chlorinated water strips natural oils and weakens hair, leading to dryness, frizz, and scalp irritation. On the other hand, swimming pools contain much higher levels of chlorine, which can cause more immediate and severe effects, such as noticeable dryness, brittle hair, and faster fading of hair color. Using a shower filter at home can significantly reduce these daily effects, whereas swimming requires additional protection, like wearing a swim cap or applying a leave-in conditioner, to shield your hair from the harsher chlorine in pools.

The Benefits of Using a Shower Filter

Given the negative effects of chlorine and other water contaminants, installing a shower filter can make a significant difference in hair and scalp health. Here's how a shower filter can benefit you:

1. Removes Harmful Chemicals: A shower filter effectively removes chlorine, heavy metals (like lead and copper), and other harmful contaminants from the water. This helps prevent damage to the scalp and hair, reducing dryness and irritation.
2. Improves Hair Texture and Shine: By filtering out harsh chemicals, the shower filter helps restore the natural moisture balance of the hair and scalp. This leads to softer, shinier, and healthier hair that is easier to style and manage.
3. Supports Hair Growth: With reduced exposure to harmful chemicals, the scalp stays healthier, creating a better environment for hair growth. A cleaner, more hydrated scalp promotes stronger, more resilient hair.
4. Protects Skin Health: In addition to hair, a shower filter can improve skin health by reducing the likelihood of dryness, irritation, and eczema caused by harsh water chemicals. It helps maintain the skin’s natural oils, which are essential for hydration and elasticity.

The Benefits of the MDhair Filtered Showerhead

For those looking for the ultimate shower experience, the MDhair Filtered Showerhead offers advanced filtration technology and numerous benefits for your hair, scalp, and skin:

• 20-Stage Filtration System: The MDhair Filtered Showerhead incorporates a comprehensive 20-stage filtration system that eliminates chlorine, heavy metals, and other contaminants, ensuring the cleanest water possible. This advanced filtration process promotes scalp health and reduces the risk of hair thinning, breakage, and scalp irritation.
• Dermatologist-Tested: The MDhair Filtered Showerhead is formulated and tested by dermatologists, ensuring it provides the highest level of protection and care for both hair and skin. It’s designed to support healthier, stronger hair and a more balanced scalp.
• Meets NSF-177 Standards: The showerhead meets strict quality and safety standards, ensuring that the water you shower with is as clean and pure as possible, reducing the risk of irritation, and promoting overall skin and hair health.
• Scalp and Hair Health Support: By filtering out chlorine and other harmful chemicals, the MDhair Filtered Showerhead helps reduce itchiness, dryness, and irritation, leaving the scalp healthier. This, in turn, supports hair growth, leading to shinier, more resilient hair.
• Hydrates and Protects Hair and Skin: The filtration system includes components like activated carbon, resin balls, and vitamin C that work together to neutralize chlorine, promote hydration, and protect your hair’s natural oils, resulting in softer, shinier hair and smoother skin.

Conclusion:

While chlorine plays a vital role in disinfecting water, it can be harmful to your hair and scalp when frequently exposed during showers. The drying and weakening effects of chlorine can lead to brittle hair, split ends, and scalp irritation, ultimately affecting your hair's texture and strength. Using a shower filter, like the MDhair Filtered Showerhead, is an effective way to combat these issues, offering a healthier shower experience that protects and enhances the condition of your hair, scalp, and skin.

Shop:

MDhair Derm approved shower head
MDhair Derm approved replacement filter

More info:

Benefits Of Washing Hair With Filtered Soft Water
Bad Water, Bad Hair: High-Risk States

FAQs:

1. Phillips TG, Slomiany WP, Allison R. Hair loss: common causes and treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2017;96(6):371-378. PMID: 28925637.
2. Joekes I, Pires-Oliveira R. Hair color damages caused by exposure to chlorinated water in the presence of ultraviolet radiation. J Cosmet Sci. 2010;61(5):403-415. PMID: 20839655.
3. Mirkovic B, Milenkovic M, Colovic M. Effects of heavy metal exposure on hair. Toxicol Ind Health. 2012;28(9):864-872. PMID: 22045614.
4. Hostynek JJ, Maibach HI. Skin irritation potential of chlorinated water. Food Chem Toxicol. 2003;41(2):239-247. PMID: 12419694.
5. Purdon SE, John A. The effects of chlorine on hair protein. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2018;11:199-205. PMID: 29670379.

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