The Real Reason I Lost All My Hair: Hard Water Hair Loss Story Time | by Erin Elizabeth 

My hair is so greasy and has so much build up from hard water, it is literally stuck to my scalp even after a fresh wash. I just scheduled an appointment to have a soft water system installed in my home for $5,000 and I’m CRYING happy tears. I cannot wait. People don’t realize how big of a role hair plays in someone’s Confidence!

Girl. I had the double whammy of postpartum hair loss and hard water when my family moved. I feel this video so much. We got a water softening system about two months ago and I’m finally seeing a difference.

*Thank You*. I'm watching this February 5, 2023. I moved into my current home 8 years ago. Since living here, I've experienced MAJOR hair issues. In my previous home, I had a water softening system, no hair issues. I attributed my hair loss to going through menopause, but also developed eczema and very dry skin during my first few years here. We take water for granted and I feel we never give it a second thought. I have always had fine hair, but decent density and a healthy shine regardless of products used. When I noticed the hair loss, I was using volumizing hair products. Over time, I feel they compounded the problem. When I switched to clarifying hair products and no sulfate body wash, my condition improved. I'm 55 and in good health. There certainly are stress, genetic and hormonal components to hair loss. The quality of water is vastly under reported via the health care community and the hair care industrial complex. If it's not in the budget for a whole house system, spend $30 bucks on shower filter and save hundreds on hair care products that won't solve the issue. Your story is GRATELY appreciated.

Same freaking issue here!!! When I moved into another apartment 1.5 years back, lost half my hair. No joke at all. The trauma, the anxiety. Just wanted to check in with you if the hair that you lost was restored to full glory, or some are permanently lost?

i hysterically cried with relief watching this because the exact same thing happened to me too. I moved into a house in the country and after a year I lost half of my hair. Kept thinking it was stress or thyroid/minerals related. I went to Thailand for a couple months, my hair and scalp became baby soft, barely shedding, and my curls were coming back. Been home 3 months now and the shedding has gradually increased to drastic measures and I've been so heartbroken about it. I feel like I can finally breathe now since finding this out. Knowing this is the source of my hair declining I feel like i can face the mirror and not immediately look at how much hair is gone, because i know the root problem and i can fix it. Thanks so much for this video, its made me feel so much better I can't even describe it. The glow up is going to be so real

When I'm listening to your story, my emotions go nuts. I kept saying I have a sensitive scalp, I have to be careful. I need to wash it almost every day because it turns greasy so fast, but my scalp is itchy, especially lately. All the things you're telling me is happening to me. I bought a shower filter and I'm trying it tomorrow.

Okay so your video have been so helpful. I originally saw one of your videos and thought "finally someone with very similar hair to me" I have thin fine hair with a lot of breakage and have for a long time. My sister told me as a child my hair was never has brittle and thin as it is now. Long story short I moved into a home at age 7 that has extremely hard water. I moved out for 2 years after grade school, and randomly my hair started to come to life for the first time since I was a child. Then I moved back to the house with hard water and I just assumed this is the hair i am born with since i have struggled from such a young age. Since taking steps you recommended I am starting to see the health of my hair coming to life. Thank you so much for sharing. Realizing my hair is not a lost cause has literally changed my confidence and life. Since i have struggled from such a young age I'm excited to see how much healthier my hair can get now that I have a good direction. Thanks again for the content!

I'm glad you finally found out what was going wrong, this way you can take the appropriate action according to where you live! It was nice watching and i wanted to say that your whole look (including your hair) is beautiful 🙂

Thanks for this video! I´ma from BRazil and moved to Vancouver in march 2022. I noticed that my hair started to get thinner and dry, and I had little hair. My husband's hair is long and curly, and when we arrived it was very silky and shiny, but in the winter it started to get extremely dry and started to give dandruff. We bought a shower filter this week in an attempt to solve this problem. I hope it works out

My skin started acting up. Never before had any issues not even in my teen years. Late 20s and I have horrible skin. One week away from home and my skin cleared up. It was the hardwater.

Thank you soooo much. This is exactly my situation! And it's definitely the water because I'm healthy and even take good hair supplements. 🥰 I'm happy I finally found out what's the true problem, with your help. ❤️

I also have fine hair and had no idea about the hard water issue. Thank you so much Erin!!

I'm definitely going through this myself it is even caused eczema on my skin and scalp I'm now getting my well outside worked on my water heaters I keep having to get them replaced This is got to be the culprit but before this I started having a lot of hair at all undiagnosed thyroid problem so I'm hoping with the medication and hard water treatment this will go away because this is exactly what's happening to me of this video reaches everyone possible Thank you again for confirming this situation it can be really bad I'm considering moving out of the home that I own

This is something i didn't think of before, struggling with hair loss too. I've done research and will be trying to not use hard water on my hair. Can you tell me how long did it take for you to start noticing improvement in your hair after cutting hard water?? It will helpful for me. Thank you ❤️

Interesting that none of those specialists thought to ask or consider the quality of water you were using tonwash your hair, especially if testing came back normal.

Omg sameeee such a frustrating thing to figure out. A shower head filter helped me realized this

Great video. I’m a new widow of 2 years. We just built our home. We are on a well. We have a water softener filtration system. My husband had an empty bag of salt or something in the pump house where the filtration system is. I don’t know how to work it yet but learning fast as I can because my hair is thinning fast. Thank you for the video.

I use apple cider vinegar rinse and it really brought life back to my hair. Before that my scalp was falling out in chunks that it's so embarrasing.

Amazing that you discovered the issue! Good for you! Must have been stressful not knowing. Wonder if a shower head water filter would help? i.e. for someone who can’t move away for whatever reason (like people living on an island).

Hey Erin, helpful tip: you can put an in-line water filter on your shower head and use a scalp scrub with a silicone scrubber to help. The filter will take out all the bad stuff in the water and the scrub will help remove residue and stimulate growth and blood flow. :)

My hair started shedding significantly after a very stressfull period I went through. So, I researched the net and opted to try a hair oil called litttleextra coocoonion & a comb made of neem wood. The results definitely worked. Now, my hair is lengthy, dense, dark hair that has grown down to my waist & cut off three times after I began using it. Easy & effective. Additionally, just as effective is massaging your scalp - it encourages the growth. You just need to do this once a week. Pretty soon, you will see short hairs starting to grow.

You are definitely not alone! My condo has very hard water & has become worse over the past 5 years. After dealing with hair loss & skin breakouts because of it, I found a shower filter I order from Amazon, which helps keep things at bay. I definitely notice a difference when I don't have it. It was so frustrating until I put two & two together as well. Thanks for sharing your story. Hopefully the next place I live will have less harsh water lol...💖

This is such an amazing tip! ❤️ Love this, Erin!

Thank you so much for this very informative video!

I moved to the south. Hair fell out in no time. Three years later, I moved out of the south. My gums stopped bleeding and my hair started growing back. I have more short hairs than long. I'm keeping my hair in a pony tail/bun with gel to hold down the fly-aways until it's long enough to cut the lengths closer together. I looked like the Crypt Keeper. The local governments in the south lie to their residents about the water. It's insane what DuPont and similar poisons are in them!

I dont get it... so what was your solution? did you just change the water source? this is not possible for most of us so what are the alternatives?

Thank you so much for this video! I have coily afro hair but I have the same issue - this video was an "aha!" moment for me

Thank u for making this video because I found it and realized it’s the exact same problem I’m having! And tye plumber recently said to us that the water is extremely hard!!

I am going through this exact same thing and JUST came to realize it's the water after yesrs of wasted products/money.😢 Im going to buy a Waterstick. It's an in-shower water softeners.

Thank you for this!!! By the way your hair looks gorgeous 😍😍🔥!!

This is what I needed because the same thing is happening to my hair. Thanks for the info. I hope your anxiety is better and I have anxiety also …. Can you tell me what meds are working well for you you? Thanks so much!

Erin can you do an update on hair care and products including shampoo and conditioner?

I use a water filter and clarifying shampoo once every two weeks, and Redken soft shampoo and conditioner, plus a couple masks and my hair is finally back to normal from hard water and chlorine. Vitamin d3 deficiency can also cause hair loss and was causing some of mine!

I have soft water/water softening system and my hair is a disaster! It’s falling out more, shedding, smells bad faster and is oily quicker. I think it’s a myth about how soft water makes hair healthier. My has taken a total 180 for the worse.

just use dionised water. its cheap. is almost the same as distilled i just dont think its been heat treated.

You never mentioned how you resolved that issue. I recently installed a shower head filter and after a few months, i have seen an improvement in my hairl.

I started following you for thin hair - how to manage styles. Now i will be careful. Thanks for this video Erin. . I have thin hair and my hair is thinning more and more. I dont know how to fix hard water issue.

Thank you for this video! I have always had thin, fine hair, but after moving about three years ago where the water is extremely hard, I have lost about half of my hair. I have cried and cried! I tried not using heat, products, special shampoo...wish I would have figured out earlier it was the water!

Even though your hair wasn’t feeling it’s greatest, I love the platinum/blonde bottom! 1:40 Did you do it yourself or get it professionally dyed? ♥️

What do you use on your hair in soft water that doesn’t make it greasy?

Wow! Thank you so much for this, I never would have known.

Hey Erin, you've mentioned you installed a water softening system in your first condo. What was it? Thank you!

In my case the water wasn't the problem as i had thin hair problem since my childhood, i tried everything possible to thicken my hair, like oil, shampoo, home remedies, salon etc but nothing helped, but since last few months i stopped using any chemical for my hair and washed my hair with gram flour or rice water. So now i figured out that cutting out chemical from hair care can help a lot

Moved into a new place 2 months ago and noticed a change in hair and skin. I am 59 years old, so I do have thinning hair, but my hair was falling out like crazy. Finally figured out last week it was the hard water after doing research. Just bought a shower filter, hard water shampoo and conditioner. I am so upset because I lost so much hair and at my age, so worried it will not grow back. I also ordered the Bondi Boost system...do you have opinions on that?

I just moved to Kitchener, ON and learned about hard water as well! My previous city didn't have hard water. My unit has a water softener that helps treat the water of all the minerals to make it softer. But GIRL! It involves adding softener salt to the water softener and those bags weigh between 2-4kg *cries* I'll definitely be keeping an eye out on my hair and skin health though. Thanks for another great video

I checked the TDS of water it is 300+ ...😢 Im loosing hair like crazy..

Do you mind sharing what hair products you use? Shampoo, conditioner and styling?! My hair is just like this!!!!

I have not been able to grow my hair for the last few years. Constantly breaks... four years ago my hair was so long and felt alot thicker. Not sure if it's hormones as well as I started the pill. Only now is it starting to get back to how it used to be. I think stress as been a major factor for me.... My life was turned upside down four years ago and I was very unhappy. Its nice to know I'm not the only who's stress also affects hair 🤭

This may be the reason for my hair loss...will get a filter ASAP. Thank-you Erin!

I also lost half of my hair during a visit to Jordsn. It was definitely the hard water.

Mam how long did it take to reverse the hair damage caused by hard water? And happy that u figured it out. Now u have a great hair👍

Finally an answer!! I can't thank you enough from over here in England. I realised from your video that my hair changes with where I live, and I never once considered the water. I still live in in hard water area, do you have tips and what to do to combat this? Thank you so much x

I’m going through this now. Maybe I’ll buy water to wash my hair. See if I find a change. 😉

Thanks it’s really useful information for me.

The water in Paris is horrible! The locals would tell me the water from the sink was safe but lol they would only buy water in bottles... And my skin and hair were so dry.

Hard water in London is no joke 🥴🥴

Thanks for this video, I have the same issue as you and I never even thought that it could have been thee water :o

Was hoping for a recommendation for a shower filter. Anyone know which filter is reputable ? Thanks

Thank you! I needed this video!

I think this is happening to me. I ha e a water filter coming in soon so we'll see. I hope this is what it is because I am becoming insecure. I always had beautiful extremely long hair and after moving to another state my hair has gotten so bad. We will see 😪

My hair is fine and the water were I'm from is soft but I'm hair falls alot, I think it's likely stress. After washing clothes the house is full of is it a spider or another hairball?! Glad you got your hair problem sorted, looks good btw

A shower filter can cleanse the water!

Omg. Thank you for this!!!!!

ive had this problem for yearsssss like literally and my hair used to need two rubber bands to hold up in a pony tail now i need to tie my hair like 3 times in one rubber band ive been trying to find the best solution but trying to find the best one to buy help??..

Thank you so much for making this video, this is happening with me since i moved to my new place, its been just 1 month and it feels like i already lost 10% on my hair...i also started washing my hair with Mineral water and there's a slight improvement, do you think mineral water is solution for hard water? Not sure if its good for hair

Is hard water damage permanent?

What If I can't move address for soft water what can I do?

I have checked the hardness of my water sample it was mentioned that the water is in the range of softwater only.but even though i am suffering with the hair loss roughness of water and itching of scalp. actually this problem was not there in my home ,as i moved to another place for studies in the hostel this is the problem i am facing,can you please suguest the best solution .

Omg. This happened to me. Skin broke out and hair fell out. I’ve been transitioning out of my new apt to my flat. Major difference!

I went through the same hair journey exactly 💯. It's the water but do u have a hair routine now?

Great story! So glad you figured out the problem.

Hard water bad for your hair (and skin), got it. What do you do to counter the effects? You didn’t give any suggestions or recommendations.

Erin, in the country did you have a water softener?

Condo means? ( not so good in english)

What new techniques are you using on your hair now ?

Hardwater is such problem where I live. I'm happy I'm gonna move soon :)

Next video...how to cope with Hard Water routine!! This is a real problem. Did you notice that your laundry is harder? too??

I had the exact same thing. I first thought it was medical (it could be, but the loss seemed excessive for the issue I have tbh).. Then I thought maybe its shampoo, which triggered the expensive shampoo hunt, from Kerastase, Phyto, to every other one under the sun.. No change. I bought Regaine, which helped the front section, but my hair still felt disgusting, never clean, kinda stringy, weighed down and dry, yet no amount of conditioner helped.. despite trying conditioner for fine hair, coloured hair, thin hair, dry hair, ageing hair.. Nothing, just heavy every time. Leave-ins and treatments only added to the weight.. I tried the water softening heads off amazon, it helped some, but nowhere near as good as a real water softener did. I kinda didn't want it to be that, I knew the softener would be the most expensive thing, but I'd had it.. I was so miserable with my hair, probably sounds vein but I lost so much it was really upsetting. Some of the loss now is age I think, but it doesn't come out in big clumps any more. It used to just hang down and I could see all the lost strands hanging there, I could gather it all up and pull a handful out.. Kinda distressing to see that everytime I washed my hair.. Not anymore though thankfully. I can always tell if the salt has ran out, it will just start to come out in clumps again, so I know it's working at least! You're beautiful as always xx

I have fine hair as well and had the same thing happen to me when I moved from a soft water city to a state that is notorious for their hard water! My hair felt dry, brittle, and like something was caked onto it. It also thinned out and my scalp was always itchy. I would sometimes even go to the extent of filtering my own water with a brita filter and washing my hair with the water I made from that just so that I could have a good hair day! I have since moved back and my hair has significantly improved in health.

Hi Erin, on your blog you spoke about getting scalp injections. How did that contribute to changes? Do you plan to get those again? Thanks! Love you videos

I think your bleach use also destroyed your hair

Ohhhh my god..... THIS MAKES SENSE!!!!!! I used to wet/wash my hair every single day. It was brittle and thin and just generally terrible. We moved house and I stopped wetting it every day and now only wash/wet it once a week and I thought it was improving just because of that but it was probably the water!!!!!!!!

Okay i will just wash my hair only in salon once a week

I think I have same problem, and I always think must be water

Thankssssd

General Jack Ripper was right 😂

The late bed microbiologically connect because egg commercially check underneath a second-hand backbone. elastic, guarded grasshopper

Banging your head against the wall might have caused it 🤪

Great video! I’ve been battling with a lot of hair loss while travelling in Bali and the water here seems to be the culprit! using a clarifying shampoo for the very short remaining time I have here and then hopefully my hair will thicken up again once I have left 🥹

9 minutes could be done in 1 minute. Thanx...