“Chlorine Isn’t Just in Pools—It’s in Your Shower. Here’s What That Means for Your Skin, Lungs & Health”

If you’ve ever noticed your skin feeling tight or itchy after a hot shower, or wondered why your hair seems dry no matter what conditioner you use, the answer might be flowing straight from your showerhead.

It’s chlorine—and it’s not just in pools. It’s in the tap water you use every single day in California, including when you shower.

Why Is There Chlorine in Our Water?

Local water providers like the Irvine Ranch Water District disinfect our water to kill bacteria and viruses using chlorine and other chemicals. That’s a good thing—until it’s not.

When chlorine interacts with organic matter in water (like plant residue or decaying material), it creates dangerous byproducts known as trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). According to the Environmental Working Group, both of these chemical groups have been detected in our area’s water—and they’re linked to increased cancer risk, reproductive harm, and developmental issues​.

And while chlorine in drinking water is worrisome, it’s even more dangerous when inhaled or absorbed through your skin in the shower.

Showering in Chlorinated Water: A Hidden Health Risk

Hot showers open your pores and turn chlorine into steam. This leads to direct inhalation of chlorine gas and absorption of toxic byproducts through your skin. Here’s what that could mean for your health:

• Skin Irritation & Premature Aging Chlorine strips your skin’s natural oils, leaving it dry, flaky, and more prone to wrinkles.

• Dry, Brittle Hair Hair becomes more porous and frizzy due to repeated exposure to chlorinated steam.

• Respiratory Problems Inhaling chlorine vapor can aggravate asthma, bronchitis, and even trigger allergic reactions.

• Potential Long-Term Risks Chemicals like chloroform and bromodichloromethane—both present in local water—have been associated with liver, kidney, and central nervous system damage over time​.

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How Do You Protect Yourself and Your Family?

The best way to reduce your exposure is to filter chlorine and its byproducts at the point of entry—not just at your kitchen sink. That means installing a whole-home water treatment system that can filter every drop that comes through your pipes, including the water in your showers and baths.

At AmeriFree Water, we offer professional-grade systems like the IS1776 Whole-Home Filtration System that are designed specifically to remove chlorine, chloramines, TTHMs, HAAs, and other cancer-linked chemicals before they ever reach your body​.

✅ Schedule Your FREE In-Home Water Test Today

Don’t leave your family’s health to chance. If you live in California, we’ll test your water at no cost and show you exactly what’s coming out of your tap—and your shower.

🧪 Book your FREE water test now and discover how cleaner water can lead to clearer skin, better health, and greater peace of mind.

👉 Schedule Your Free Test Today