You love the feeling after a warm shower or bath, but notice those white, chalky spots on the shower stall and bathtub and wonder, is that what is left behind on my skin and hair? According to several dermatologists and hairdressers, yes, and tap and hard water may contribute to the aging process of skin and hair. Tap water contains various minerals and metals to maintain its pH and level of safety.

·    Chlorine – used as an antibacterial agent

·    Magnesium and Calcium

·    Lead

·    Zinc

·    Iron

·    Copper

Hard water contains salts and minerals and, when left behind on skin and hair, these metals and minerals act as free radicals, the very same culprits that we read and hear about in pollution and the sun that break down the cell structure, which can lead to fine lines, wrinkles and clogged pores in skin and dull, dry, brittle hair.

According to New York City dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross, MD, tap water can contribute to several skincare concerns:

·    Wrinkles and sun damage – heavy metals that settle in the skin create chain reactions from other free radicals (pollutants, sun), causing a breakdown of collagen and elastin.

·    Irritation and redness – individuals with easily irritated skin or those who suffer from conditions such as eczema or rosacea may experience increased redness from the chlorine in tap water.

·    Acne and enlarged pores – heavy metals may convert the skins natural oils into hard, waxy plugs that build up and clog pores, leading to blackheads, whiteheads and pimples. These waxy plugs may also contribute to enlarged pores by blocking glands on the skin.

How can you combat the damage from these metals and minerals? One suggestion is installing a showerhead filter and replacing the filter every 3-4 months. Another is using skincare products containing chelators, which are compounds that break down the bonds of heavy metals.

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