Beauty

Every day, while taking a shower, washing, washing our hair, we arrange stress for the body. After all, most of us, for hygiene purposes, use ordinary tap water, the content of bleach in which is often beyond the “harmlessness” mark.

What is harmful bleach in terms of external effects on the body, and how to deal with it, this article will tell.

The effect of bleach on the human body

Fortunately, the concentration of bleach in tap water is not so high that negative effects are manifested from the first application. However, with the regular use of such water for hygiene (on average 2 times a day), bleach, affecting the skin, hair and human body, in general, leads to a number of negative consequences.

Effects of bleach on hair

Hair is most often the first to react to the high content of bleach in tap water. The main «signals» of negative reactions of hair can be:

• Increased hair loss
• Increased dryness and «fluffiness»
• Dehydration and dullness (dyed hair quickly loses color, as bleach «eats away» the paint)
• Fragility of hairs and split ends

Effects of chlorine on the skin

Skin irritations are also one of the main indicators of high levels of chlorine in the water. For most people, skin reactions may include:

• Increased dryness and flaking
• Poor reaction to moisturizers
• Early aging and the appearance of age spots, as well as mimic and age wrinkles
• Redness and itching
• Feeling «tight»
• Sharp reactions (irritations) to the usual cosmetics

If you are a person prone to dermatitis, skin diseases, allergies, then the reaction to water with a high content of bleach may appear after the first contact (severe itching, “weeping” spots, eczema).

The effect of bleach on the body as a whole

In addition to local hair and skin reactions, chlorinated water can cause much more serious health problems. With regular long-term contact, bleach can cause:

• Oncological diseases
• Pulmonary diseases (including asthma)
• Exacerbations of allergies
• Exacerbations of psoriasis

Also, chlorine compounds with other substances contained in tap water can cause food poisoning (with regular swallowing) and intoxication of the body as a whole.

How to protect yourself from chlorine exposure

Today, in many countries of the world, including Ukraine, the issues of replacing the use of bleach as the main method of disinfection with more modern and gentle ones — ozonation and disinfection with ultraviolet light — are being actively discussed. However, as long as water with bleach is flowing from our taps, the problem remains.

There are two ways that can significantly reduce the harm from exposure to bleach on the body:

Installation of special filters

This method is the most convenient, although quite expensive. Its advantage lies in the fact that by fixing the filter on the faucet, you get almost the same uninterrupted flow of water as before, but almost without bleach.

The main disadvantage of this method is that the device itself and replaceable filters cost a lot of money. And since the volumes of passing water are quite large, then the filters will have to be changed often.

Settling of water

The second method is more economical, but it is unlikely to suit most of us, as it is very labor intensive. The method consists in collecting water in large containers, letting it stand for at least 48 hours. This will cause most of the chlorine in the water to evaporate and make it usable.

This method can hardly be called convenient. After all, you will practically stop using the usual tap, and all hygiene procedures will have to be performed by heating the water in advance and using the good old ladle.

The undeniable advantage of this method is its cost. Or rather, its absence. After all, you will not have to bear any additional expenses, except for the usual payment for water. In addition, regular adherence to this method will inadvertently lead to more economical use of water.

Take care of yourself. Be beautiful and healthy!

Auto: Natalia Kay

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