If you’re dealing with dry, brittle hair or hair color that fades to a dull, lackluster tone shortly after your salon visit, you’re not alone. So many of us spend on hair care products only to feel that nothing is really delivering the results we want. We all want that elusive shine and healthy hair, but it can be frustrating to find effective solutions—even with high-quality products.
Surprisingly, the root of common hair care issues isn’t always in the wrong products or neglected care. The real culprit could be something as simple as your home’s water quality.
Hair care challenges often stem from heavy metals and chemicals in tap water
"It's commonly thought that tap water quality in Finland is excellent. However, water always contains tiny particles and metals from pipes, along with chlorine and calcium used in water treatment,” explains Otto Manninen, an expert from AQVA Finland.
These metals can build up on hair, affecting not only hair health but also the scalp and skin.
When heavy metals and minerals accumulate in your hair, the results are often frustrating: tangled, dull, brittle, and lifeless strands. During coloring or bleaching, these metal residues can affect the desired color results or even cause breakage. Meanwhile, chlorine and calcium dry out not only the hair but also the scalp, often causing dryness, itching, and irritation.
"Tangling and breakage are really common. People often find it hard to manage their hair at home; they feel like their products just aren’t working as effectively as they should," says stylist Siru Reunanen, describing the typical hair care challenges her clients face.
Working at The Q Hair Lounge on Runeberginkatu in the heart of Helsinki,
Siru Reunanen sees clients every day dealing with similar issues.
"Calcium deposits, in particular, dry out the hair and make it stiff. The hair loses elasticity and becomes more prone to breakage," she explains.
"Another common issue is with hair color: dyed shades fade quickly and can take on a dull tone."
Does this sound familiar? Have you been struggling with similar issues?
Stylist Leena, Q Hair Malminrinne
Steps to healthier, stronger hair – control breakage and boost hair growth
The first step toward healthier, stronger hair is to remove the metals and chemical residues that build up in your hair from tap water.
In salons, chelating detox treatments encapsulate metal ions, allowing heavy metals to be washed out of the hair. These detox products are also available in salons for at-home care.
“If metals and minerals keep building up in the hair with every wash, detox treatments won’t provide lasting benefits,” Reunanen points out.
The next step is to prevent metals and other chemicals from accumulating in your hair and scalp in the first place.
Using a shower filter, you can remove heavy metals, chlorine, and calcium
– often present in tap water – from your home’s water supply.
After installing a shower filter, many people report that their hair feels and looks healthier and more vibrant. Some even notice significantly faster hair growth.
“Healthier hair strands don’t break as easily as before. With softer, cleaner water, home care products can penetrate and nourish hair more effectively,” Siru Reunanen explains, summarizing the benefits of filtered water.
“The AQVA shower filter, developed and manufactured in Finland, is the result of extensive research and development. Each filtration stage is optimized to reduce specific impurities that burden hair and skin,” explains Otto Manninen from AQVA Finland.
The shower filter can be installed on almost any Finnish shower model without the need for special tools or expertise. The AQVA FRESH shower filter attaches by hand between the shower mixer and hose, and it’s compatible with both rain showers and handheld showerheads.
Reduce chemical load with a shower filter – especially beneficial for blonde and gray hair
Color changes are especially noticeable in blonde hair. Many people with blonde or gray hair have become accustomed to using purple shampoo as part of their regular hair care routine. However, if significant amounts of metals and other chemicals have built up in the hair, these products often need to be applied in larger amounts—and they still may not be able to penetrate and work effectively.
“Metals and minerals accumulated in hair can affect its tone. These deposits often appear in blonde hair as a dull greenish, yellowish, or even slightly coppery tint,” Reunanen explains.
By using a shower filter, you can reduce the chemical load that impacts hair care. The purer the water you use to wash your hair, the less you’ll need color-correcting maintenance products. This applies not only to purple shampoo but also to other hair care products: in healthy hair, treatments work more effectively, and less product is needed.
“When hair is healthy, color tones can stay vibrant for longer, and the color doesn’t change as dramatically over time,” Reunanen concludes.
Stylist Mikaela, Q Hair Malminrinne
Healthy, gorgeous, and vibrant hair – order the AQVA FRESH shower filter today
With the AQVA FRESH shower filter, you promote your hair's natural shine and vitality by reducing exposure to chlorine, heavy metals, and other water impurities. Cleaner water not only helps decrease skin dryness and irritation but also makes bathroom cleaning easier. Say goodbye to hair breakage, itchy skin, and limescale buildup in your bathroom!
The AQVA FRESH shower filter is made from high-quality materials in Finland and is easy to install in any home bathroom. This shower filter is constructed from drinking water-safe certified plastic, making it a safer alternative to materials like chrome or aluminum.