What Signs Will My Hair Show If I Have Hard Water?

[Supergirl]

I moved about 2 months ago and am suspecting that the area I've moved to has hard water. I've done a search, but can't get anything to come up.

 

[HoneyDew]

For me, the problems started after I moved into my current home.

I think 1st I noticed that my hair got kinda dull looking - no shine - even after conditioning. It felt stiff and dry like a brillo pad. Breaking BIGTIME. Even moisturizing would not help. Also my hair did not have the body and movement it should - it weighed down. I had a HARD time rinsing out conditioners and really getting my hair clean.

No matter what I used I could not really fix it. I started thinking that I needed protein treatments because everytime I used Aphogee Keratin 2 min reconstructor, it helped. I found out later that it is chelating, BUT the protein was having the same effect over time, you know. I was losing my protein/moisture balance.

It all made for a bad bad situation.

I have been here since 1998 and only last year did I finally realize it was my water that cause me to have these problems.

I realized it because all I knew was that everytime I used Kenra Clarifying, my hair feel soft and "normal". I ran out and started using Keracare's clarifying (NOT chelating) and my hair started having issues again after just a few weeks w/o the kenra. Went back to it, and my hair normalized again.

All this time and YEARS later, I realized that the water has been doing this to me!!

 

[PinkAngel]

I think you can also buy water testing strips from Wal-Mart in the Live Fish/Pet section. HTH

 

[Wishin4BSL]

For me, the problems started after I moved into my current home.

I think 1st I noticed that my hair got kinda dull looking - no shine - even after conditioning. It felt stiff and dry like a brillo pad. Breaking BIGTIME. Even moisturizing would not help. Also my hair did not have the body and movement it should - it weighed down. I had a HARD time rinsing out conditioners and really getting my hair clean.

No matter what I used I could not really fix it. I started thinking that I needed protein treatments because everytime I used Aphogee Keratin 2 min reconstructor, it helped. I found out later that it is chelating, BUT the protein was having the same effect over time, you know. I was losing my protein/moisture balance.

It all made for a bad bad situation.

I have been here since 1998 and only last year did I finally realize it was my water that cause me to have these problems.

I realized it because all I knew was that everytime I used Kenra Clarifying, my hair feel soft and "normal". I ran out and started using Keracare's clarifying (NOT chelating) and my hair started having issues again after just a few weeks w/o the kenra. Went back to it, and my hair normalized again.

All this time and YEARS later, I realized that the water has been doing this to me!!

This just happened to me recently. That's why I go home once a week to wash my hair instead of washing it where I live in the university dorms.

 

[Supergirl]

Yeah, the dull lackluster thing is happening along with the brillo pad and moisturizing doesn't seem to help.

Anyone have any advice on shower filters???

 

[shunta]

Yeah, the dull lackluster thing is happening along with the brillo pad and moisturizing doesn't seem to help.

Anyone have any advice on shower filters???[/quote] I recently purchased a shower filter, and I know that it helps a little. It wont per se eliminate the whole hard water thing, but its supposed to help a little. From what Ive gathered, only a water softener in your home really helps with the whole hard water issue.

 

[Supergirl]

Where/How do I get a water softener? Is it something that I or my husband can install or will we need professional installation?

 

[chayil0427]

When I was growing up we had very very hard well water, I noticed that it was very difficult to get a good lather with the shampoo, and my hair didn't soften well even with the best conditioners.

Chayil

 

[Choclatcotton]

I experienced this also, and decided to research and found an aqua sauna shower filter to be highly rated so I ordered one and it has softened my shower water and I also purchased a kitchen sink filter by PURE. Aqua Sauna has to be purchased online Pure can be purchased at Walmart. My hair had become dull, dry and no shine, broke off and thin. The hard water seemed to have permantly changed my texture. I no longer have a nice shine when I press and the straightness only last a day before it becomes a bush again. I started the Aphogee 2Min and it seemed to also help. I know do a vinegar rinse every time I shampoo and also Helmans mayonaisse. My shine seems to be returning. hopefully this helps a little

 

[HoneyDew]

I have used 2 different shower filters and they did not help. Most of them don't remove calcium deposits.

I think the softener would be better. Culligan installs them, but you can buy one yourself.

 

[tnorenberg]

I have a water softner at home and I hate to travel to my mother's because of the hard water. It makes my hair very dry and tends to tangle very easily . I have to use a really good conditioner ( Nexxus or CON or Paul Mitchell) to get it soft again.