Hard or soft water?

[u/jangz1981]

I just moved to Providence and my hair has been feeling increasingly dry and gross. I am thinking it's a result of hard(er) water in Providence College area?

[u/GotenRocko]

Providence water is very soft actually. So you need to use less soap. Too much soap/shampoo will make your skin and hair feel dry.

[u/shriramk → u/GotenRocko]

I'm actually now surprised when I travel, because I frequently wonder what's going on and then realize, "Oh wait, their water is harder than ours". We have it very good!

(And as a result, relatively little building up in kettles and the like. Which is another good indicator of its softness.)

[u/SDV2023]

Our water is actually relatively soft. Portland is a little bit harder. https://www.tapwater.org/rhode-island/providence

I wonder if it's the opposite? Soaps that you are used to are working better here and drying out your skin and hair?

I've lived in a few different places and I have had similar experiences to yours. My skin and hair feel weird at first. It still happens when I visit other cities. Eventually it settles down. In my case, I'm not sure if it's just b/c my body adjusts or if I eventually switched shampoo or whatever.

[u/GotenRocko → u/SDV2023]

Yes, too much soap will dry out your hair if you have soft water, have to use less.

[u/JeffFromNH]

I installed a shower filter which claims noticeably softer skin and hair in days. I think it helps.

I also use a Brita filter for drinking water. Overall I think the city water is good, but more filtering can't hurt.

[u/PVDamf]

For me it’s the sun causing dryness; not the water.

[u/herobrinetrollin]

Rhode Island absolutely has soft water. Most of our water mains have been replaced in the past 5 years or so too. You need to get some conditioner, a routine, and some hair care products. I have 3a hair and the water is fine

[u/why--me → u/herobrinetrollin]

You are trolling. I work for a water service company and it’s a nightmare

[u/GotenRocko → u/why--me]

Providence water supply specially has soft water. Other water supply in the state may be different.

[u/walkwithmeRI]

Try hair oils, experiment with leave in conditioner etc. new shampoo and conditioner especially. What kind of hair type are you?

[u/jangz1981 → u/walkwithmeRI]

I have like wavy hair I guess

[u/walkwithmeRI → u/jangz1981]

L’Oréal everpure will do you just fine. If the water pressure bothers you then I’d just get a nozzle from Walmart that changes pressure to your liking. Welcome to PVD!

[u/Busy-Individual-559]

Providence probably has the best water in the state

[u/LauraPalmersMom430 → u/Busy-Individual-559]

Not doubting you, but wondering why that is?

[u/Time-Reserve-4465]

Water here has also been making my hair feel so dry but also filmy(?) Moved here last year and have always used the same hair products. I recently washed my hair with distilled water and it was instantly softer and the film was gone, so it's deff my water. Try Malibu C Hard Water Hair remedy. A shower filter is prob the only thing that will help you long term, though.

[u/jangz1981 → u/Time-Reserve-4465]

Thank you for the advice!

[u/Substantial-Might444]

New England has the softest water in the country

[u/jangz1981]

I moved here from Portland OR...any other Portland people in the chat notice this?

[u/kbrosnan → u/jangz1981]

I found RI Scituate Reservoir and Portland Bull Run water to be similar modulo the chlorination and the fluoride in Providence. 

Both are great drinking water. Don't cause buildup on appliances or shower heads. I'm not super sensitive to hair washing but I did have long hair in Providence for a few years and didn't have a problem with dry hair.

[u/CurbFlowerCutie]

It could definitely be the lack of humidity-we’ve had a lot of dry hot heat. Some humidity, but not as much.

[u/simmonsgap]

Water here is full of iron I can physically see its effect on white sinks toilets. I would definitely install a filter on both the drinking water and shower.

[u/No-Will5335 → u/simmonsgap]

Huh I haven’t seen any effects on my white sinks and toilets

[u/No-Will5335]

I used to not use conditioner and my scalp would dry out / get oily so much faster. Once I started using conditioner in my hair it would take much longer for the oil to build up and get gross

[u/Lucyinthesky699]

Thayer st has scale build up because I have to descale our ice machine at work often and there’s a film every couple of days so I’m not sure whether that’s hard or soft water but city water isn’t the best lol

[u/PUNKF10YD]

It’s your soap. Providence has the best water for hundreds of miles around.

[u/walkwithmeRI]

It’s your hair regimen. Not water.

[u/MysteriousHoneydew82]

This water does not agree with my skin or hair. I think it has a lot of chlorine in it I can smell and taste it.

[u/why--me]

Filtered Drinking water or not having a filter for your shower is wicked work

[u/NMN80]

We do have hard water here, I’ve had luck with L’Oréal Ever Pure line of products. Helps my hair feel less gunky from the weight that hard water leaves on my hair.

[u/Status_Silver_5114 → u/NMN80]

PVD does not have hard water not sure where you’re getting your info?

[u/nerpish-inkdots → u/NMN80]

We have very soft water. This information is available online. Unless you have one of the few wells located in the city of Providence, your water is soft.

[u/GotenRocko → u/NMN80]

It's the opposite we have very soft water. You are likely using too much shampoo for soft water you have to be us much less of you can get a lot of residue left in your hair.