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I am pretty sure this doesnt apply to many of you, but it applies to me since I live out in the country! Since we are quite a distance from the nearest city, we have our own well/pump. We do not get water from the city in any way. However, to save money, we have never had/used a water softener or a filter on our water. It is straight from the ground, other wise known as hard tap water.
My question is, would this have any adverse effects on my hair now(since I am growing it out)? If so, is there any things(like oils or soaps) I can get to prevent the effects(If they are harmful)?
Thanks in advance for any help!
> My question is, would this have any adverse effects on my hair now(since
> I am growing it out)? If so, is there any things(like oils or soaps) I can
> get to prevent the effects(If they are harmful)?
I don't think hard water is 'harmful,' except to your plumbing fixtures and appliances, but there may be an adverse effect on your hair.
The dissolved minerals in 'hard' water forms deposits on plumbing fixtures. I would think that some of these deposits could end up on your hair, perhaps robbing your hair of some shine. I have heard that some people like the effect that hard water does to their hair, giving their hair a more desirable texture.
If by 'soap' you mean shampoo, I would try a clarifying shampoo now and then to remove any possible buildup. The detergents in clarifying shampoo shouldn't react with the hard water (causing 'soap scum' deposit).
I've lived with both hard and soft water and there is a difference. I have fairly thick hair with some body (wave) to it and hard water can make it harder to manage. It seems harder to do a good rinse with hard water. I dealt with it by showering more often, and using a lot of conditioner. I think the products Greg L. mentions on his website, Pantene Pro-V Daily Treatment Conditioner and Daily Clarifying Shampoo are good.
About 10 years ago I invested in a water softener, for no reason other than to preserve my plumbing and appliances (we have a lot of lime and rust in our well water). I was surprised at the difference in my hair and that was kind of a bonus. It was like I didn't need a conditioner. If you can ever swing getting one installed you will be really glad you did.
Heh, looks like I will see if I can persaude my dad to get a water softner some time soon! If I mention that it will be easier on appliances and whatnot, he might actually consider it!
My mom's only excuse to keep it, is that "Its good for you!" Apparently she thinks hard water is good for drinking. I dont know if that is true, but either way it sounds like it isnt worth it.
Thanks for the advice guys!
This was the situation here: my house is around 80 years old. The pipe is galvanized steel. Eventually I'll have to have the house repiped with copper and it'll cost around $3K. I'm lucky because most of the pipe is exposed and can be gotten to without ripping out walls. Minerals in water build up and slowly close off pipe the way fat in arteries restricts blood flow. I had a special kind of softener installed that would treat the water and prolong the use of the pipe. So far it seems to have worked out well. If you have a plumber install the water softener, he will usually ask you were you want the soft water to go. Usually people have it go to showers, washing machines, water heaters, and some or all sinks on the hot side. Outside utility taps for sprinklers are always bypassed because you don't want to water plants with soft water. It's true that minerals in water can be good for you so you're mom isn't wrong about that, but people usually have at least one or all cold water taps indoors bypassed because they want to wash with soft water, not drink it, so that shouldn't be a problem.
Hi!
Moved to the country and the experience of well water last Sept. I hated the water! We had large tank filters for the extreme amounts of calcium in the water. Chemicals had to be added to the big tank filters every other month. The water left white spots on everything! My hair or body never felt clean! My hair was dull, never squeaky clean.... and very hard to manage. We had city water instaled at a huge expense a few months ago, but I love it. I lived in the city for most of my life and this feels right! It rinses clean, feels softer,and has shine again! Everything is bettter, cothes, dishes, bodies, hair all feel clean again. I know what you are taking about and I really think it makes a huge difference. Damage ? I don't know about that, but it sure felt nasty! Check to see if our nearest city will install public water. If not I don't know what to tell you other than have a really good softener installed. I tried all sorts of shampoo and conditioners, leave in and rinse out, also I had to use tons of detangler. Sorry friend but if you can't get publicly treated water, get softeners put on if you can afford it. That was gonna be my next option but the city hooked us up for about the same price as a large tank water softener added with the hardness filter that took bi-monthly service at $75 bucks a pop. We use the well water to water grass and outdoor flowers now! They seem to love it? Most of our neighbors still have well water but there are no other longhairs around, just lots of short haired people in very large pick ups who like to yell "Hippie go home" when they see me at the mailbox or the local small market. Other than that we are on 20 acres and keep to ourselves as much as possible!...Eat A Peach For Peace! Best of luck... RedTail Wolf
