Bad water

[Stacey2478]

Ok so I moved into a condo 2 years ago in a building that was built around 1920. Around that time I noticed my first big shedding episode. It has happened 3 times since then and one of the things I was suspicious of all along was the water. When I moved in the toilet bowl was black! I had viewed the condo 2 weeks before moving in and this was not the case. I guessed that it may be hard water (iron) bought some super strength cleaner (all others had failed) and it did the job. It wasn't until a year later when the shower started turning yellow that I began to suspect bad pipes! Turns out the building has all of it's original plumbing intact and the water heater is crap. Still not convinced that this was the problem (there were other suspects) I recently went away on vacation. The shedding stopped...thats right STOPPED after being away for ONE day. I thought maybe it was just wishful thinking, but then I noticed something else. My hair was full, holding a style (it never does that!) soft, and shiny. It is usually limp, knotted and at times, dry. While I am not convinced that this is the entire reason for my shedding (I still think bc pills and stress may have aggravated it) I do think it is a big part of the problem. I have ordered a shower filter that removes copper, iron, and chlorine and will let you know if this makes a difference. I've been home for 2 days and my hair already looks like crap...I would blame it on stress, but it stopped so quickly after going on vacation, and I have never heard of a shed stopping after removing stress for one day! I figured I would post this because I know some of you are like me and don't know why your hair is falling out. No one ever told me this could be a reason, and I am guessing most people dont know. I know it's not a cure, and might not even be the true reason, but it's definitely not helping and it's worth a shot to me.

[Stacey2478]

Ok so it's been a while since I changed over to a water filter, but I wanted to keep people posted so here goes. The directions said that the first time the filter is used it will turn the water black. This is because the bad chemicals in the water react with the chemicals in the filter responsible for getting the "bad" out of the water. This continues to happen on and off a month later, and seems to coincide with construction to the roads up the street. Needless to say whenever I see it turn black, I am grateful I am not showering without the filter. Immediately after installing the filter I noticed shinier, softer, healthier hair. It continues to shed, but has slowed down so much that most days I don't notice it. I know that this is not the only problem, there are probably other issues at work as well, but if this helps one woman figure out what is going on with her I will be thrilled. It certainly was not the first thing I thought of when my hair started falling out, and I wish I would have looked into it sooner. I also want to mention that I started taking biotin as well and it has been a life saver for me.

[justbeth]

That is fantastic to hear! So tell me, where did you get this filter? If anything it would be nice to have heathier looking/feeling hair!

btw: how much biotin are you taking and how many times a day?

[Stacey2478]

Believe it or not I did a lot of research and found that the best filter is also amazingly enough the cheapest! I got it on Sephora.com. It is called Jonathan Beauty Water. There are a few others out there, but this one seems to list the most chemicals (that it will remove) and since I did not want to spend the $$ to find out which chemical was responsible this was a good choice for me, I am very happy with it. I take about 900 biotin a day, which from what I hear is low compared to most, but I did not want to over do it. I also take a prenatal vitamin which has always helped a bit too.

[justbeth]

Thanks Stacey, I will be looking into that filter. im excited to have at least some healthy looking hair at the very least! my hair which used to be soft and shiney is now weak, course, and so tangled. its horrible. so not only i have to worry about losing my hair, but everyday is a bad hair day. cant seem to win.

ya, im just taking 1 biotin a day, and im wondering if i should increase it since i have been on it for a while.

damn it, i totally forgot to ask my doc about the prenatal vitamins today...ugh. they sell some over the counter, right? maybe i will just grab some of those until my next appt. cant hurt, right?!?

thanks again! :>

[justbeth]

OMG.....too funny, just looked up the Jonathan Beauty Water, he used to have a reality show on tv and i saw the episode where he thought of this idea after his hot water stopped working and he showered with bottled water and his hair was so much nicer! that is just too funny!

[Stacey2478]

yeah I thought it was pretty hokey myself, but it actually competes with the other filters really well! I love it so I guess there is something to be said for egotistical b list celebrities!

[justbeth]

I will tell you, this guy was off the charts! But hey, if his product works, im all for it!:)

[Collette]

Good PI work, Stacey!!! :D

I started 5000 mcg (biotin) in 06 and upped it this year to 10000 mcg. My nails are wonderful but I am still trying to figure out my shedding- it started in 06...

go girl!

[stacyg1234]

Hello Stacey2478,

I am curious to find out if your hair grew back?
I have been watching my hair fall out in clumps since living in a well water home for 7 months now.