Long-Term Effects of Chlorinated Water on the Skin
Chlorine is the most common water treatment to kill bacteria living within it. Chlorine is added not only to swimming pools, but also is often found in tap water. According to Free Drinking Water.com, most cities within the U.S. treat the city water with chlorine concentrations of two to four parts per million; and they report the average person receives 50 percent of their chlorine exposure from bathing. Chlorinated water can have long-term effects on human skin 3.
Acne, Eczema and Rashes
Chlorine not only kills the bad bacteria that can make us sick, but it also kills good bacteria on which our our skin relies. According to Dr. Rona, M.D., chlorinated water destroys most of the intestinal flora--friendly bacteria that help not only with the digestion of food, but with the production of vitamins B12 and K. A press release announcing the result of findings reported by quickacneremedy.com on PRLog.org also notes chlorinated water also destroys vitamin E and polyunsaturated fatty acids 3. All of these factors have been shown to result in acne and other skin irritations, including eczema and rashes.
Cancer
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According to a report on HULIQ.com, an independent news organization, chlorine actually promotes the generation of free radicals within the body, and specifically the skin. Free radicals have been shown to cause cancer, as has chlorine. Drinking tap water most has been linked to bladder, breast and bowel cancer; and long-term effects of drinking, bathing and swimming in chlorinated water has been shown to cause malignant melanoma, otherwise known as skin cancer 3.
Premature Aging
Most anti-aging products contain antioxidants to help fight and kill free radicals within the skin as they have been shown to result in premature aging such as fine lines. Free radicals increase toxicity, which can also aid in general skin irritations such as acne and rashes. Free Drinking Water.com reports published studies showed chlorinated water to promote the aging process, similar to the effects of extended exposure to the sun.
Depleted Proteins & Dry Skin
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Free Drinking Water.com reports chlorine can destroy much of the needed protein within the body 1. Short term, this can lead to dry, itchy skin.** Continued depletion can lead to very dry skin. Though many would think to soak in the tub to alleviate dry skin, this can actually do more harm than good. Water alone can deplete the skin of its natural oils that hold moisture in, and chlorine only intensifies that effect. Showers and baths should be kept short, and the appropriate moisturizer applied immediately following.
- Free Drinking Water.com reports chlorine can destroy much of the needed protein within the body 1.
- Though many would think to soak in the tub to alleviate dry skin, this can actually do more harm than good.
Related Articles
References
- Free Drinking Water: Water Education: 7. Swimming and Chlorine : Protecting Your Skin and Hair
- Natural Health Techniques: Health Basics: Chlorine in Drinking Water
- PRLog.org: Chlorinated Tap Water Major Cause of Acne
- HULIQ: Reports Reveal Chlorinated Tap Water May Cause Acne and Other Serious Skin Disorders
- Novak-Bilić G, Vučić M, Japundžić I, Meštrović-Štefekov J, Stanić-Duktaj S, Lugović-Mihić L. Irritant and allergic contact dermatitis - skin lesion characteristics. Acta Clin Croat. 2018;57(4):713–720.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rashes. Reviewed May 4, 2016.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Parasites - Cercarial Dermatitis (also known as Swimmer's Itch). Reviewed October 22, 2018.
- Rossetto AL, Da Silveira FL, Morandini AC, Haddad V, Resgalla C. Seabather's eruption: report of fourteen cases. An Acad Bras Cienc. 2015;87(1):431-6. doi:10.1590/0001-3765201520130468
- Chaumont A, Voisin C, Sardella A, Bernard A. "Interactions Between Domestic Water Hardness, Infant Swimming and Atopy in the Development of Childhood Eczema." Environmental Research. 2012 Jul;116:52-7. DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2012.04.013.
- Gomà A, de Lluis R, Roca-Ferrer J, Lafuente J, Picado C. "Respiratory, Ocular and Skin Health in Recreational and Competitive Swimmers: Beneficial Effect of a New Method to Reduce Chlorine Oxidant Dervatives." Environmental Research. 2017 Jan;152:315-321. DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.10.030.
- Khodaee M, Edelman GT, Spittler J, et. al. "Medical Care for Swimmers." Sports Medicine Open. 2016 Dec; 2: 27. DOI: 10.1186/s40798-016-0051-2.
- Salvaggio HL, Scheman AJ, Chamlin SL. "Shock Treatment: Swimming Pool Contact Dermatitis." Pediatric Dermatology. 2013 Jul-Aug;30(4):494-5. DOI: 10.1111/pde.12017.
Writer Bio
Brenda Barron is a writer, editor and researcher based in Southern California. She has worked as a writer since 2004, with work appearing in online and print publications such as BabyZone, "Cat Fancy" and "ePregnancy." She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from California State University, Long Beach.