Shower filter: a necessity or a trinket?

We frequently think about the shampoo and conditioner we use when taking care of our hair, but there’s another player in the game that you might want to take into account: the shower filter. These tiny devices may have caught your eye, and you may have wondered if they are truly worth the hype or are just gimmicks. Let’s explore shower filters in more detail and see if they can actually improve your regimen for taking care of your hair.

Shower filters make the promise to filter out contaminants from your water, like heavy metals and chlorine, which can harm your hair’s health and appearance. Many people have less-than-ideal water quality in their homes, and these contaminants may be the source of problems like color fading, brittleness, or dryness. Your hair will be softer, glossier, and generally healthier as a result of filtering out these impurities.

However, are they actually required? It is dependent upon your hair type and water quality. A shower filter might be extremely beneficial if the chlorine content or hardness of your tap water are issues. However, if you’re already content with the way your hair feels and looks, you might not notice a big difference. We’ll go over the advantages and possible drawbacks to help you determine whether or not a shower filter is something you should buy or if it’s just another gimmick.

So, the promises of manufacturers

Since water is not pleasant, I have long wanted to buy a water filter specifically for the bathroom (I spend a lot of time in the kitchen). This became especially apparent when I relocated from a small town to a regional multimillion dollar development; the water seemed dirtier and rougher.

Although washing with a shower head isn’t particularly convenient, I wanted to purchase a filter for the faucets as well as the shower. However, these systems aren’t inexpensive. I was unable to leave without it after I unintentionally noticed this filter attachment on sale.

It cost roughly 900 rubles.

General appearance

It says that it fits all types of faucets. It fits our needs. My hubby swiftly completed the installation.

And this is how the bathroom filter appears:

Shower filters may be more than just an accessory—they may even be necessary for maintaining healthy hair. This article investigates whether installing a shower filter—which eliminates dangerous minerals and chemicals from your water—is a wise choice for promoting better hair health or if it’s just a gimmick that doesn’t really add much value. We’ll examine the advantages and disadvantages of shower filters to assist you in determining whether they’re a need or just a waste of money.

Impressions from a month of use

1. I almost always wash my hair in the shower, so get used to I didn"t have to. And in my opinion, masks are washed off better this way.
2. Water through a filter heats up a little longer, that is, at first, cold flows for a long time. You won’t be able to immediately direct the watering can at your hair. Hence a small loss of time. But if you first set the desired temperature in the mixer, and then switch to the shower, then the desired water immediately comes out.
3. For the scalp I did not feel any difference, because.. it rarely dries out/is capricious. Only if the shampoo is not suitable. But perhaps those with dry/damaged scalp will appreciate the difference.
4. For hair length there is a difference – hair in such water feels softer to the touch even after shampoo. This is good.
5. For the face I did not see much of a difference – after a shower my skin always tightens less than when washing at the sink.
6. Replacement nozzles are not so easy to find on sale.
7. And they need to be replaced: if 2 people – once every 3 months, 3 people – once every 2 months.

And, well, I just had to check.

Testing water: comparing indicators without a filter and filtered

I bought special test strips specifically for these uses. Although intended for aquariums, they will work in this instance.

Although the test is straightforward, you must respond quickly:

I removed two measuring cups. I filled one with water I usually use to wash my hair, straight from the bathroom faucet. The second has the same temperature coming from the shower head.

I then used two test strips. I signed: b/f – without filter, F – filtered. I dropped them into the appropriate water-filled cups at the same moment.

Results for chlorine

Thus, you must check the water’s chlorine content results right away.

The smallest color shades are difficult for my camera to capture, but in this instance you can see that the yellow square on the strip with b/n is foggier than the F strip.

Let’s examine the scale more closely so you can verify the outcomes.

It turns out that 0.8 mg/l of chlorine is present in unfiltered water.

And 0 mg/l of chlorine in water when a shower filter is used.

Fantastic! Thus, chlorine is actually removed by the filter.

However, let’s continue and examine the remaining 5 indicators. Overarching scheme:

Since the test scale is on a cylindrical tube, it is challenging to determine the outcome from a picture like this.

Let’s take a closer look at these two test strips:

It is evident that the only two squares with different colors are hard water and square 5. water’s pH. Here’s how it works. Let’s examine this more closely now.

Results on pH

The scale indicates that 7.6 is the ideal pH for filtered water.

Additionally, the pH of unfiltered water is closer to 8.0.

Despite not being a chemist, I have some experience in the chemical industry. Making liquid soap was one indicator where there was a negligible difference; the important point is that this indicator is not 8.5, which is already noticeable. 8.0 is categorized as a neutral environment in some lists and as a low environment in others. Since our hair already has an adequate alkaline environment (chem. curling/straightening, staining), it’s a good thing that the filter somewhat lessens this indicator.

Results on the degree of water hardness

And here, with an 8-unit filter, I was not happy with the outcome!

The b/f strip’s square is slightly lighter—it’snotexactly 16 es-ts, but it’s in the middle.

In terms of stiffness, the filter does soften water, but only marginally. However, the sensations did not fool me any longer, and the water is actually a little bit softer to the touch. Maybe if the water is extremely hard to begin with, the filtration process will produce a better result.

Water containing 10 mg/l of nitrates (NO(3)) displayed both stripes. For tap water, the indicator’s value is appropriate.

Both stripes were also visible for nitrates in water (NO(2) — 0 mg/l).

I had to use four strips for testing since there was not enough time to ensure the accuracy of the data on the color strips, and I needed to take a picture of the results.

Feature	Is a Shower Filter Necessary?
Water Quality	Improves water quality by removing chlorine, heavy metals, and other impurities.
Skin and Hair Health	Beneficial for sensitive skin, can reduce dryness and irritation.
Cost	Can be a bit pricey, but worth it for those with skin or hair concerns.
Maintenance	Requires regular filter changes, adding to the ongoing cost.
Overall Value	Not essential for everyone, but valuable if you notice issues with your water"s effect on skin or hair.

The question of whether a shower filter is a need or merely a luxury ultimately boils down to individual requirements and preferences. A shower filter can significantly improve skin and hair health for people with hard water or chemical sensitivity. These filters can aid in preventing dryness and irritation, resulting in more manageable and healthier hair, by eliminating impurities such as chlorine. A filter might be well worth the money if you notice that your skin is always dry or that your hair seems lifeless.

On the other hand, a shower filter may seem like an unnecessary extra expense if your water is already treated or if you’re not having problems with its quality. It often comes down to balancing the benefits and drawbacks. For some people, the cost may be justified by the peace of mind and possible improvements to their skin and hair. It might not be a top priority for others.

Ultimately, your particular situation will determine whether a shower filter is a need or just a nice-to-have. A filter might be a great addition if you have problems with the quality of your water or if you just want to improve the experience of taking showers every day. But if everything is good enough for you already, it might just be an extravagance. It all depends on what best suits your requirements and way of life.

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