HAO Hair Days March 5, 2026 0 Comments

The filter that works for London might not be right for New York.

In overseas Asian groups, the question "Which filtered water shower head is the best? is always a hot topic. But what you may find is that while your friends' skin looks better in Seattle, you move to London and buy the same thing, and your hair still falls out like crazy.

It's not that the product doesn't work, it's that you haven't seen the **Global Hard Water Map**.The hardness level varies greatly from city to city. Hardness levels vary greatly from city to city, ranging from "slightly hard" to "liquid rock". As the editor of HAO Hair Days, today I'm going to show you how to find out the hardness value of your city and use the data to"Precision Care "**.

1. Know Your Rivals: Hard Water (ppm / gpg) Comparison Chart

Before you ask, you have to read the figures in the water quality report. Below is a list of hardness classifications that are used globally:

Hardness value (ppm / mg/L) classification Asian Hair Sense Care Strategies
0 - 60 Water (Soft) It lathers very well and leaves a smooth finish. A basic wash is sufficient.
61 - 120 Medium Hard Water (Moderate) Slightly frizzy, hair color tends to be dull. Base Filter + Hydrating Hair Mask.
121 - 180 Hard Water Hair ends are dry and scalp begins to itch. Strength Filter + Chelated Shampoo.
181+ Very Hard Significant hair loss and soap scum buildup. Professional water softener + apple cider vinegar rinse.

2. Global Hardness Profiles for Major Cities (2026 update)

We've compiled this 'Asian Hair Alert Map' based on average data from water boards in various countries:

  • North America:

    • Vancouver, Portland: Soft water (about 10-50 ppm).(Congratulations, you've won!)

    • New York City: Medium hard water (about 50-80 ppm).(the main problem is the heavy metal of the old pipes)

    • Los Angeles, Phoenix, Chicago: Very hard water (200-350+ ppm).（"Hair Loss Defense Hot Zone)

  • Europe & UK:

    • London, Paris, Berlin: Very hard water (280-400+ ppm).(lime geology, hardest water)

    • Scandinavia, Scotland: Soft water.(Good water quality, but need to watch out for dry heat)

  • Australia:

    • Sydney, Melbourne: Medium hard water (about 50-90 ppm).

    • Adelaide, Beth: Hard water (150+ ppm).

3. How to accurately inquire about the water quality in your home?

Water quality varies with the age of the community and the source of the water:

  1. Keyword Search: Search in Google [Your City Name] + Water Quality Report 或 Water Hardness。

  2. Simple test paper: Buy at Amazon “Water Hardness Test Strips”For a few dollars, you can measure the real data coming out of your faucet.

4. Precise selection of water filtration head based on data

Don't just buy what's advertised, choose a filter based on ppm:

  • Medium hard water (60-120 ppm): Choose the one that contains KDF-55 The filter is used to remove chlorine and heavy metals and to protect hair color.

  • Hard water (120-180 ppm): You must choose a product that contains VC Ball (Vitamin C) 或 Calcium sulfite The filter is designed to neutralize the water and reduce the damage to the scales.

  • Extremely hard water (181+ ppm): Normal shower heads cannot soften the water completely. It is recommended to choose a product that contains "Ion Exchange Resin (IER) The filter is used with a weekly "Acid Shampoo" program.

📖 HAO Hair Days Editorial Diary: The Truth About Precision Care

Many readers ask me, "Since the water is so hard, why don't I just buy the most expensive filter? Here's my advice:"Check the data before you buy the filter." If you live in New York City (soft water area) and buy a strong softening filter, you may end up with hair that's too crumbly after washing. The highest CP-value hair care technique is to give medication to the environmental pain points.

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