- Dryness: Dry skin and hair are regular occurrences for many. While lotions and conditioners can help, treating the root cause is one of the most effective preventive methods. Generally, dryness is caused by heavy metals in the water or hard water, both of which a showerhead filter can help mitigate.
- Irritation: Skin and scalp irritation is a persistent problem that can lead to constant itching or rubbing to relieve it. High levels of chlorine, heavy metals, or hard water can cause it.
- Eczema and psoriasis: These common conditions can worsen with heavy metals or high chlorine levels in the water. Eczema and psoriasis share some symptoms, including discolored skin, rashes, and itching. Eczema typically causes a rash of dry, bumpy skin, while psoriasis creates thick, scaly patches.
- Flakiness and dullness: Hard water is a primary cause of flaky skin and dull, lifeless hair. High levels of calcium and magnesium tend to dry out the skin, causing flakiness, while leaving behind a residue that steals luster from your hair.
- Brittleness and fading: If your hair looks brittle, fragile, or frail, it may be due to high levels of chlorine or minerals in the water. Similarly, chlorine and hard water can cause color-treated hair to fade quickly.
- Premature aging: Heavy metals, such as lead, copper, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, chromium, and manganese, can accelerate premature aging by creating an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the body’s ability to neutralize them with antioxidants.
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Practical Solutions to Fix Water Quality Issues
You can take simple steps to improve water quality and adjust your beauty and wellness routine for healthier hair and skin.
“I tell my patients to start with a good shower filter. It makes a big difference in reducing chlorine and softening water,” says Kopelman. “I also recommend switching to gentle cleansers and moisturizers that hydrate instead of stripping, while for hair, using a clarifying shampoo once a week to wash away buildup and following with a hydrating mask can bring back shine and softness.”
Additionally, testing your home’s water quality can help you identify the problem and take appropriate steps to fix it. A shower filter is a great option, but you can also install a whole-home filtration system to remove contaminants or a water softener to treat hard water problems.
How to Test Your Water Quality
Testing your water quality is the first step when you suspect a problem with your home’s water. “You can buy simple test strips online or at a hardware store, and if you want to get more detailed, you can send a sample to a certified lab. That way, you actually know what you’re dealing with,” explains Kopelman.
Test strips and lab testing kits typically include directions for collecting a sample from your home’s water supply. For example, most test strips work by dipping a strip into a water sample, whereas a lab testing kit may require you to let the water run for several minutes before collecting a sample from the faucet. Once you have the test results, you can use this information to make an informed decision about how best to address your water quality issues.
