Shower filters are a popular way to protect your skin and hair from the effects of hard water. But do they actually work? And is one type better than the other?

In this post, we’ll take a look at the science behind shower filters and whether they can help you get rid of hard water deposits.

We’ll also look at the pros and cons of each kind, so you can pick a filter that will most benefit your hair and skin.

What is hard water?

Water hardness refers to the calcium and magnesium minerals in water. If you have hard water, there’s a greater concentration of these minerals than other elements like chlorine, which makes it difficult in water treatment

All these minerals aren’t necessarily bad, and they might actually provide some health benefits in smaller amounts. Calcium and magnesium can strengthen the walls of your arteries, for example, and may help to prevent osteoporosis. BUT , too much of them is a bad thing.

Hard water doesn’t mix well with soap, which is why it leaves behind residue when you shower or wash dishes.

This build-up on your skin is called dryness because it dries out your skin and makes it susceptible to irritations like red skin lesions, itching and acne. It also damages hair by leaving a coating that dulls shine and makes hair look limp.

Types of shower filters

There are 2 types of shower filters that can help soften hard water.

• Activated carbon and
• KDF filters.

Activated carbon showers work by removing the minerals from water as it passes through a bed of activated charcoal. The downside is that this process leaves behind extra chemicals, like chlorine, which have been linked to other health problems over time.

To reduce these risks, you need a special type of activated carbon called “mildly” active carbon, which only removes the bad stuff without trapping essential minerals in your drinking water.

KDF shower filter systems filter out everything but beneficial minerals to keep those healthy properties intact. They also prevent bacteria growth in your shower head so you don’t get an outbreak of nasty skin infections.

Pros and cons of each type of shower filters

Activated carbon filters:

Pros: Cheap to buy, effective at removing harmful chemicals like chlorine and lead. Cons: Doesn’t soften water; may only last a few months; might not remove all contaminants

Mildly active carbon filters:

Pros: Filters out harmful chemicals but leaves behind healthy essential minerals like calcium and magnesium. Cons: Expensive; can clog too quickly; removes both good and bad elements

KDF shower filters:

Pros: Removes harmful chemicals, bacteria and other impurities from your water. May also reduce chlorine odors as well as dandruff and dry hair. Cons: Can be expensive, especially over time; doesn’t soften water; can be hard to install.

Do shower filters soften water?

Water is one of the most important aspects of our lives, but what many people don’t know is that the water we use every day can be harmful to our health.

This is especially true for those who have hard water, as it contains minerals like calcium and magnesium that can leave spots on dishes and increase the likelihood of lime scale buildup.

While a shower filter won’t completely soften water, it can help reduce some of these harmful effects.

So if you’re looking for a way to improve your daily routine, test the quality of your water. This might mean that you need to select a shower filter that will clean the water and reduce the overall levels of minerals.

If you want to soften your water before it gets to your home, consider installing a water softener. This will filter out the minerals that cause hardness, allowing you to have healthier hair and clearer dishes.

Do shower filters actually work?

Yes, they do. They’re not magic and won’t remove all the minerals because that’s impossible to do with water softening shower.

Most shower filters can remove chlorine from your water supply. This chemical is usually added to the water supply during the purification process in order to kill bacteria and germs. However, this same chemical can cause skin irritations, hair damage and dryness when it accumulates on your skin over time.

Therefore, a quality shower filter will effectively reduce or eliminate these effects while also softening your water.

Can hard water damage hair?

Although water is often thought of as being one of the most helpful elements for maintaining healthy hair, hard water can actually have damaging effects.

Mineral deposits in hard water can build up on hair over time and cause it to become dry, brittle, and difficult to manage. If you live in an area with hard water, there are a few things you can do to help protect your hair from the effects of the minerals.

Shampooing less frequently, using a clarifying shampoo once a week, and employing a deep conditioning treatment once a month are all good ways to help keep your locks looking their best.

While not all types of minerals found in hard water are harmful for your body (in fact, some are actually beneficial, including calcium and magnesium), it’s best to avoid them as much as possible.

Final Thoughts

Shower filters remove the harmful chemicals in your water supply, like chlorine and lead, that can cause skin irritations. Quality shower filters can also reduce the amount of minerals like calcium and magnesium that cause hard water.

A water softener will remove minerals and other impurities and reduce the likelihood of lime scale buildup. Although it’s not possible to soften water completely, a shower filter can help.

However, if you want soft water without filters or chemicals, consider installing a new water softener system in your home as this is the only way to eliminate all the minerals in your water.