Chlorine and Fluoride in Australian Shower Water: Are They Affecting Your Skin and Hair?

Most of us are conscious about the water we drink, but what about the water we shower in? In Australia, chlorine and fluoride are added to the water supply to keep it safe for drinking and to promote dental health, but have you ever wondered how these chemicals might be affecting your skin and hair? Let’s take a closer look at the levels of chlorine and fluoride in Australian shower water and how they compare to what’s considered ideal for healthy skin and hair.

Chlorine: Necessary for Clean Water, but Tough on Your Skin

Chlorine is a powerful disinfectant used in water treatment to kill harmful bacteria and other pathogens. While it’s crucial for making water safe to drink, the chlorine that’s present in your shower water could be doing more harm than good when it comes to your skin and hair.

Chlorine Levels in Australian Shower Water

Chlorine levels in Australian water supplies vary by region, but they typically fall between 0.5 and 1 milligram per litre (mg/L). For example:

• Sydney Water reports an average chlorine level of around 0.9 mg/L in its supply.
• Melbourne’s water sits at about 0.5 mg/L.
• Brisbane often sees levels closer to 1 mg/L.

These levels are well within safe drinking standards, but showering in chlorinated water day after day can take a toll on your skin and hair.

What’s the Ideal Chlorine Level for Showering?

While chlorine is a must in drinking water, it’s not so welcome when it comes to showering. Chlorine strips away the natural oils that your skin and hair need to stay moisturized, often leading to dryness, irritation, and even conditions like eczema or dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Over time, exposure to chlorinated water can also weaken hair strands, causing them to become dry, brittle, and more prone to breakage.

For the best shower experience, the ideal amount of chlorine in your water is as close to zero as possible. This is why filtering your shower water with a product like the Flo Filtered Showerhead is a great solution, as it helps to significantly reduce chlorine levels, making your showers kinder on your skin and hair.

Fluoride: Great for Teeth, But What About Your Skin?

Fluoride is another chemical added to Australian tap water, primarily to help prevent tooth decay. There’s no doubt about its benefits for dental health, but what about when it’s absorbed through the skin while you shower?

Fluoride Levels in Australian Water

The amount of fluoride in Australian tap water typically ranges from 0.6 to 1.1 mg/L, depending on where you live. For instance:

• New South Wales and Victoria generally have fluoride levels between 0.6 and 1 mg/L.
• In Queensland, some areas may have fluoride levels up to 1.1 mg/L.

Again, these levels are designed to support good dental health, but fluoride’s impact on skin and hair is less well-studied.

The Benefits of Filtering Your Shower Water

Even though the chlorine and fluoride levels in Australian water are within safe limits for drinking, they can still have unwanted effects on your skin, hair, and overall health when you’re exposed to them daily in the shower. Here’s why filtering your shower water can make a big difference:

• Softer Skin and Hair: By filtering out chlorine, you’ll notice your skin feels softer and your hair less dry and brittle.
• Reduced Irritation: If you have sensitive skin or suffer from conditions like eczema, removing chlorine from your shower water can help reduce irritation and flare-ups.
• Preserving Hair Health: Chlorine can damage color-treated and processed hair, making it dull and lifeless. Filtering it out helps keep your hair looking vibrant and healthy.

Conclusion: Why Clean Shower Water Matters

Chlorine and fluoride are essential for ensuring that Australia’s water is safe to drink, but they aren’t always so friendly to your skin and hair when it comes to showering. While the levels of these chemicals in shower water are considered safe, reducing them could lead to noticeable improvements in the condition of your skin and hair.

The Flo Filtered Showerhead offers a simple solution, filtering out chlorine, fluoride, and other impurities so you can enjoy cleaner, healthier water every time you shower. Take control of your shower experience and feel the difference clean water can make!