Dry, Itchy Scalp? Get a Shower Head Filter for Soft and Silky Hair

Pinpointing the cause of dry hair isn’t easy. Menopause, the weather, or an unhealthy diet may be to blame — but there’s plenty of other factors. One of the culprits could even be the water you’re using to wash your hair. Surprisingly, about 85 percent of US households have water with a high mineral content in their faucets and shower heads. This water, better known as “hard water,” is safe to drink and bathe in — however, it can contribute to dry hair over time. The fix? Invest in a shower head filter that removes excess minerals. This protects your hair’s hydration during the washing and conditioning process for silky smooth results. Keep reading to learn why a shower head filter is a great option for reviving dull, limp hair.

The Hard Truth About Hard Water

Hard water is full of dissolved minerals, mainly calcium and magnesium. Constant exposure to these minerals leads to scale buildup in pipes, and decreases the water’s pressure. Because of this, mineral deposits could form on glassware, clothes, and even your hair. “The minerals in hard water can leave a residue on your hair, preventing both a deep clean and conditioning,” board-certified dermatologist Susan Massick, MD, tells GQ.com “It also affects the texture, health, and appearance of your hair. [Ultimately,] it leaves your skin and scalp feeling dry, and often itchy or irritated.”

You can search your zip code or use a testing kit to determine the hardness levels of your water. If you’ve determined that you do have hard water, Dr. Massick offers two options. One is having a filtering system installed for your entire home; a water filtration system provides clean and soft water to every water source in the house, although the average cost is over $2,000. This option certainty isn’t cheap, and may not be feasible if you live in an apartment building.

The second (and less expensive) option is getting a shower head filter. This will protect your hair from coming in contact with hard water minerals and contaminants. “These filter out excess minerals and can be effective as long as they are replaced based on time or usage,” Dr. Massick explains. Shower head filters can last anywhere from three months to one year before needing to be replaced. So, while they’re a recurring expense, they’re an easy way to help maintain your hair’s strength and shine. 

Where To Buy a Shower Head Filter for Hard Water

You can buy shower head filters in hardware stores or online. Shower head filters vary in price depending on their features, but here’s a list of three that fit any budget:

• AquaBliss High Output Revitalizing Shower Filter (Buy from Amazon, $35.86): This option’s multi-stage filter strains chlorine, pesticides, and odors from hard, chemical-filled water. Bonus: This filter is easy to install in minutes — no tools required!
• Sprite High Output Chrome Chlorgon 2.5-GPM Shower Head Filter (Buy from Lowe’s, $60.71): Along with reducing minerals and chlorine in shower water, this filter is built to last for 12 months or 20,0000 gallons of water. Plus, you can download The Sprite Showers App on iOS or Android to be notified when it’s time for a new filter.
• The Filtered Showerhead by Jolie (Buy from JolieSkinCo.com, $165): For exceptional results, this filter removes heavy metals, chlorine, and other contaminants without clogging or reducing your water’s pressure. Since this filter surpasses NSF-177 standards for water treatment systems, it’s designed to fit all US showers.

Hair Harmony

Hydrated, healthy hair can be achieved by properly tending to your strands. This may include buying a shower head filter to prevent hard water minerals from ruining your hair’s texture and volume. Once you’ve successfully got purified water coming out of your shower head, use this shampooing trick as another measure to reduce hair loss.