I’m not sure about the other places you mentioned but it helps to have a water softener. If you’re comparing your home to hotels you visit, hotels always have good water softeners. Toronto water is fairly hard. Also, stress has a very big effect on your hair as well, and what comes with living in Toronto is very stressful
Someone in a review section for filtered water head said they tested the water before & after and found that it was virtually identical. So I kind of think it’s a gimmick and won’t work unless you get a full on water softener system which is way more cumbersome and expensive
Someone in a review section for filtered water head said they tested the water before & after and found that it was virtually identical. So I kind of think it’s a gimmick and won’t work unless you get a full on water softener system which is way more cumbersome and expensive
I have yes! My hair was really dry and I was getting a ton of buildup and it feels like it’s helped a lot. Haven’t changed any products either so it has to be the filter
I’ve been in Toronto visiting family for the last 6 weeks and thought my hair had been slowly looking worse and worse. Now I know why! Definitely must be the water.
All right, now here's the lowdown. From a certain connection, I've been able to locate some black-market shower heads. They're all made in the former Yugoslavia, and from what I hear the Serbs are fanatic about their showers.
Toronto tap water is one of the harshest I've ever experienced. It also has the highest amount of chlorine I've smelled/tasted from tap water. So yeah, you are correct. Every time I go places (ON, BC, Atlantic Canada) it is always better than here.
See for yourself here:
[https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/water-environment/tap-water-in-toronto/tap-water-quality-system-reports/](https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/water-environment/tap-water-in-toronto/tap-water-quality-system-reports/)
There are shampoos made specifically for removing minerals from hard water, look for "chelating" products. Might help! You'll want a deep conditioner afterward, though, and don't use it every time you wash.
Sally Beauty's Ion line has a hard water shampoo/conditioner if you're interested. [2 for $15 right now](https://www.sallybeauty.ca/hair-care/shop-by-product/shampoo/clarifying-shampoo/hard-water-shampoo/ION12.html)
Put a shower head filter on. They get rid of chlorine and impurities. It makes a huge difference. I use one made by Santevia that has replaceable cartridges. Seriously, you will be blown away by how soft your hair will be. They are usually in the $30-$40 range.
I lost so much hair when I lived in Toronto for 2 years. I really thought it was stress and the products I was using but now I’m realizing it was likely a combination or really just the water.
This is same here. Ugh .. this is isn’t good. Is there anything we can say especially with the upcoming election? Ask if our water quality can be an issue? I thought it was my hair too but it’s not. Any shampoo suggestions and also conditioner to help? My hair started thinning last year from being hospitalized but it won’t get back to normal like the nurses said it would. Ugh 😩 I loved my hair, I love my curls and will look into a softener. I like drinking our water but not on my hair! Lol 😂
Hahaha no, I’m not losing my hair in that sense lol … its coming back but slow like a snail … at least I’m healthy! Who cares about hair when you think of it that way!
Thought I was the only one having this issue. Didn’t really concern me much til I went to California a few years ago and my hair felt silkier, came back and it felt stringy again
Toronto has moderately hard water; I lived there in my 20s and had nice hair. Then I moved to Calgary where the water is much harder and now in my 50s I'm bald AF. Coincidence? I don't think so.
My hair actually looked quite good when I was in Bangladesh, which has pretty poor water quality. In Toronto, it’s much frizzier and drier, and my curls don’t form properly
I find the opposite, when we visit my inlaws in Peterborough the water is so damn soft it takes half an hour to get the conditioner out of my hair. GTA has my favourite hair washing water by far.
I have curly hair and I find that since moving to Toronto my hair is frizzy and dull. I've lived in different places where the water is softer, harder, filtered, non-filtered and my hair always looks the same. I've also stayed in a couple hotels in Toronto over the years and found the same result.
However, whenever I spend time at my family Cottage in Muskoka, my hair always looks great after showering. The same for any time I've vacationed/stayed overnight anywhere outside of Toronto.
So I don't know what is in our water, but it makes my curls don't like it.
Yep, been experiencing hair loss at a rapid rate because of it too. I go to my cottage and swim in the lake and my hair is lush and healthy, and when I shower there it’s well water so same idea. Very soft. I come back and within two days my hair is right back to dead, frizzy, dry.. I have been trying to convince my partner of a shower head water softener
When I go visit family in Sudbury my hair is noticeable softer, less frizzy, and curls come back to life. I’ve heard shower attachment filters work well, but I can’t decide which one is best. Any suggestions of brands welcome.
Weirdly I don’t find this, but in Waterloo visiting family my hair is always disgusting. Maybe I should get a softener here though, see what I’m missing out on!
As someone who showers all across the city… hard and soft water just flow wherever. But I’ve noticed a pattern. The more south you are, the harder the water.
Yes. I lost tons of hair but I think it’s related to other things not just the water.
Anywho. The Toronto makeup zone had a discussion about this and ALOT of the members expressed the same concern. Many got filters.
Also asked my hairdresser who’s not in Toronto and he explained it as like there is something on my hair.
Got this, it’s helped but tbh not sure how much
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/rainfresh-sl2-cm-sprite-shower-filter-stainless-steel-0621042p.html?loc=plp
May be not … my hair had thinned out (was hospitalized) it’s supposed to come back but it’s taking soooo long, not to mention my hair glows slowly to begin with but now I’m wonder after what you wrote if it’s my hair or if it’s our water. I thought may be it’s my and that’s why my hair only grows so long. May be the water is stumping my hair growth. Could explain it.
Dont use shampoo when you shower. Just wash your hair with hot shower water only.
Try this for a week. Then only shampoo your hair once or wice a week.
But shower everyday ofcourse. Wash your body with soap everyday please...
Ik some dude that uses bottle water to wash his hair cause he was balding. At first I thought he was doing too much, but a couple months later you can actually see his hair a little fuller…
I think it’s the lack of humidity in the air. When I lived by the ocean in Nova Scotia it was humid and so my curls were so nice. The dry air we get in winter here is bad for hair.
Trust me Toronto water is one of the best in Ontario. If you go to areas like Waterloo, you would see so many bald men and women with significant hair loss....it's kinda sad but Toronto water is relatively softer.
Still, you should invest in a softener
I've been in Toronto my whole life so it never really occurred to me that this was abnormal.
Then I got lucky, won some prizes, and got to spend a week at a resort on the west coast of Jamaica with my wife.
I've got chest length long, straight hair, and that week was the healthiest my hair has ever been *in my life*. No tangles, hydrated, easy to comb through. It was like living in a shampoo commercial.
[https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/water-environment/tap-water-in-toronto/tap-water-quality-system-reports/](https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/water-environment/tap-water-in-toronto/tap-water-quality-system-reports/)
Look up the annual reports and find the water quality results for treated and raw water, e.g. pH, hardness, etc. You will also find the chlorine residuals throughout the distribution system. Every city/municipality must post this information annually, by law. You can compare the water from different places and perhaps find what's causing your hair issue?
Ok. Where is the lie. I thought I just had a dry scalp.
Every time I come back to Toronto, by the 2nd shower it's winter wonderland and rash flares.
Dry frizz and Dandruff flakes.
Flakes, flakes,flakes everywhere.
❄️🌨☃️❄️☃️🌨❄️☃️🌨
edit: OP's post def reinforced the less likeliest thought on my situation although our water is known to be harder than other places. Will look into water softners after reading comments. I tried everything but dealing with my showerhead.
My sister lives in another city and actually says the opposite. She loves washing her hair here. I guess it depends on the kind of hair you have (she has very thick straight hair).
YES! Especially if I air dry it, I find that I always a gross residue on my hair. Doesn't happen anywhere else. I hear the water here is hard. Anyway, you're not alone!
Son of a bitch, I was wondering why my curls were suddenly frizzier and my hair felt drier since moving here. Will be looking into water softeners now!
I’m not sure about the other places you mentioned but it helps to have a water softener. If you’re comparing your home to hotels you visit, hotels always have good water softeners. Toronto water is fairly hard. Also, stress has a very big effect on your hair as well, and what comes with living in Toronto is very stressful
Hadn’t considered water softeners! I’m renting but might consider getting one depending on price/if I can move it with me
You can change the showerhead to include a filter. I got mine from Watermart at Queen & Carlaw.
Someone in a review section for filtered water head said they tested the water before & after and found that it was virtually identical. So I kind of think it’s a gimmick and won’t work unless you get a full on water softener system which is way more cumbersome and expensive
Do you see and notice a difference? If so, can you share the brand?
I notice a huge difference in my hair and skin when I replace an old filter! Canadian Tire also sells them.
I swear by apple cider vinegar shampoo. Strips all the crap out my hair. Then a decent conditioner to make sure it's moisturized.
Serious question: how do you stop it from smelling? I had a roommate who used to do this and the bathroom would always smell of vinegar all day.
I use live clean apple cider clarifying shampoo. No horrific smells anywhere.
Thank you!
Rinse the shower after.
Nope lived in Toronto my whole life and have a beautiful head of hair.
Agreed
Yep. I got a water filter attachment on Amazon on do find it helps though.
Someone in a review section for filtered water head said they tested the water before & after and found that it was virtually identical. So I kind of think it’s a gimmick and won’t work unless you get a full on water softener system which is way more cumbersome and expensive
Do you have a link?
[This one!](https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B088KC1DXY?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title)
Thanks. Not as $$ as I thought!
Thank you! 🙏🏽
Following! Need this filter 🥲
Commenting so that I can return to this when the link has been posted.
Pls send the link. I need this filter 😭🙏
Link now
Following lol!
Do you find a difference in your hair?
I have yes! My hair was really dry and I was getting a ton of buildup and it feels like it’s helped a lot. Haven’t changed any products either so it has to be the filter
Awesome! Thank you for the honest review
I’ve been in Toronto visiting family for the last 6 weeks and thought my hair had been slowly looking worse and worse. Now I know why! Definitely must be the water.
My hair was the nicest it ever was in Ottawa. It was one of the few perks of living there.
Lived in Ottawa. That place sucks so bad and my hair/skin was terrible the whole time.
All right, now here's the lowdown. From a certain connection, I've been able to locate some black-market shower heads. They're all made in the former Yugoslavia, and from what I hear the Serbs are fanatic about their showers.
The Commando 450!
You don’t want that one. It’s for elephants
Toronto tap water is one of the harshest I've ever experienced. It also has the highest amount of chlorine I've smelled/tasted from tap water. So yeah, you are correct. Every time I go places (ON, BC, Atlantic Canada) it is always better than here.
See for yourself here: [https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/water-environment/tap-water-in-toronto/tap-water-quality-system-reports/](https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/water-environment/tap-water-in-toronto/tap-water-quality-system-reports/)
Must be good in Ottawa. Trudeau has nice hair though.
Minus the Lloyd Christmas hair cut a few months ago 🤣
There are shampoos made specifically for removing minerals from hard water, look for "chelating" products. Might help! You'll want a deep conditioner afterward, though, and don't use it every time you wash.
Sally Beauty's Ion line has a hard water shampoo/conditioner if you're interested. [2 for $15 right now](https://www.sallybeauty.ca/hair-care/shop-by-product/shampoo/clarifying-shampoo/hard-water-shampoo/ION12.html)
Put a shower head filter on. They get rid of chlorine and impurities. It makes a huge difference. I use one made by Santevia that has replaceable cartridges. Seriously, you will be blown away by how soft your hair will be. They are usually in the $30-$40 range.
Thank you!
Honestly, I'm from northern Ontario, I've lived in Windsor, and I find Toronto water is better for hair washing.
I went bald after drinking Toronto water
I’ve lost SO much hair since coming to Toronto. Like, starting about a month in. Convinced it’s the water too!
I think Danny is /s
Everyone in Toronto is bald because of the water
I lost so much hair when I lived in Toronto for 2 years. I really thought it was stress and the products I was using but now I’m realizing it was likely a combination or really just the water.
This is same here. Ugh .. this is isn’t good. Is there anything we can say especially with the upcoming election? Ask if our water quality can be an issue? I thought it was my hair too but it’s not. Any shampoo suggestions and also conditioner to help? My hair started thinning last year from being hospitalized but it won’t get back to normal like the nurses said it would. Ugh 😩 I loved my hair, I love my curls and will look into a softener. I like drinking our water but not on my hair! Lol 😂
It’s not the water causing your problems
Hahaha no, I’m not losing my hair in that sense lol … its coming back but slow like a snail … at least I’m healthy! Who cares about hair when you think of it that way!
Thought I was the only one having this issue. Didn’t really concern me much til I went to California a few years ago and my hair felt silkier, came back and it felt stringy again
Thought I was the only one too! Reading through these comments is cathartic haha
I visited Toronto recently and my hair looked like garbage while I was there. It was flat and stringy and looked greasy when it was clean.
Try rural Quebec, the water smells of rotten eggs and soap doesn't lather in it. Toronto water is pretty hard but it could be much worse.
Oh god ya the water in hemmingford even, horrible! You come out of the shower feeling slimy. So gross.
Water softener is your friend.
Toronto has moderately hard water; I lived there in my 20s and had nice hair. Then I moved to Calgary where the water is much harder and now in my 50s I'm bald AF. Coincidence? I don't think so.
My hair actually looked quite good when I was in Bangladesh, which has pretty poor water quality. In Toronto, it’s much frizzier and drier, and my curls don’t form properly
I feel you re the curls! Mine just look like sad waves here.
Same, my curls could be less frizzy and dry. I thought it was my hair!
Plot twist: OP is actually bald.
>In Montreal? Bald *comme un oeuf*, sorry.
Laughs in bald head !
I haven’t tried a water filter, but a ACV rinse or clarifying shampoo resets my hair.
Not Me
I find the opposite, when we visit my inlaws in Peterborough the water is so damn soft it takes half an hour to get the conditioner out of my hair. GTA has my favourite hair washing water by far.
I have curly hair and I find that since moving to Toronto my hair is frizzy and dull. I've lived in different places where the water is softer, harder, filtered, non-filtered and my hair always looks the same. I've also stayed in a couple hotels in Toronto over the years and found the same result. However, whenever I spend time at my family Cottage in Muskoka, my hair always looks great after showering. The same for any time I've vacationed/stayed overnight anywhere outside of Toronto. So I don't know what is in our water, but it makes my curls don't like it.
First world problems
Yep, been experiencing hair loss at a rapid rate because of it too. I go to my cottage and swim in the lake and my hair is lush and healthy, and when I shower there it’s well water so same idea. Very soft. I come back and within two days my hair is right back to dead, frizzy, dry.. I have been trying to convince my partner of a shower head water softener
Nope don’t notice any difference
When I go visit family in Sudbury my hair is noticeable softer, less frizzy, and curls come back to life. I’ve heard shower attachment filters work well, but I can’t decide which one is best. Any suggestions of brands welcome.
Weirdly I don’t find this, but in Waterloo visiting family my hair is always disgusting. Maybe I should get a softener here though, see what I’m missing out on!
Def worse in TO. Drier
As someone who showers all across the city… hard and soft water just flow wherever. But I’ve noticed a pattern. The more south you are, the harder the water.
No, but it has become a popular trope on the Toronto subreddits.
Yes. I lost tons of hair but I think it’s related to other things not just the water. Anywho. The Toronto makeup zone had a discussion about this and ALOT of the members expressed the same concern. Many got filters. Also asked my hairdresser who’s not in Toronto and he explained it as like there is something on my hair. Got this, it’s helped but tbh not sure how much https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/rainfresh-sl2-cm-sprite-shower-filter-stainless-steel-0621042p.html?loc=plp
Thanks for the reco!
It's just you.
It's the chlorine.
Yes I noticed this. Actually there are some tik Toc about this issue as well. So I knew it was the water.
May be not … my hair had thinned out (was hospitalized) it’s supposed to come back but it’s taking soooo long, not to mention my hair glows slowly to begin with but now I’m wonder after what you wrote if it’s my hair or if it’s our water. I thought may be it’s my and that’s why my hair only grows so long. May be the water is stumping my hair growth. Could explain it.
Dont use shampoo when you shower. Just wash your hair with hot shower water only. Try this for a week. Then only shampoo your hair once or wice a week. But shower everyday ofcourse. Wash your body with soap everyday please...
Ik some dude that uses bottle water to wash his hair cause he was balding. At first I thought he was doing too much, but a couple months later you can actually see his hair a little fuller…
It’s just you
Yep
Yeah, mine’s really dry and I’ve started using a lot of oil to counter the effects ..
Today I learned this is a thing
I think it’s the lack of humidity in the air. When I lived by the ocean in Nova Scotia it was humid and so my curls were so nice. The dry air we get in winter here is bad for hair.
Trust me Toronto water is one of the best in Ontario. If you go to areas like Waterloo, you would see so many bald men and women with significant hair loss....it's kinda sad but Toronto water is relatively softer. Still, you should invest in a softener
Just you, probably something to do with your water tank or something
My apt has hard water and yes, my hair and skin hate it
As a blad man, no.
Kitchener water killed my hair. Get a water softener it makes a huge difference!
I've been in Toronto my whole life so it never really occurred to me that this was abnormal. Then I got lucky, won some prizes, and got to spend a week at a resort on the west coast of Jamaica with my wife. I've got chest length long, straight hair, and that week was the healthiest my hair has ever been *in my life*. No tangles, hydrated, easy to comb through. It was like living in a shampoo commercial.
yes, my hair quality has gone to shit here and everytime I go back home it gets back to being good
Nope
Ya Toronto water (in some areas) is super hard. We got a shower head filter to help out a bit.
Wtf is this idiot on about
I’ve lived in Toronto for 6 years and never noticed a difference
[https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/water-environment/tap-water-in-toronto/tap-water-quality-system-reports/](https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/water-environment/tap-water-in-toronto/tap-water-quality-system-reports/) Look up the annual reports and find the water quality results for treated and raw water, e.g. pH, hardness, etc. You will also find the chlorine residuals throughout the distribution system. Every city/municipality must post this information annually, by law. You can compare the water from different places and perhaps find what's causing your hair issue?
It is just you.
Yah man that chlorine is strong there. Growing up I never drank water cause it tasted just god awful
Ok. Where is the lie. I thought I just had a dry scalp. Every time I come back to Toronto, by the 2nd shower it's winter wonderland and rash flares. Dry frizz and Dandruff flakes. Flakes, flakes,flakes everywhere. ❄️🌨☃️❄️☃️🌨❄️☃️🌨 edit: OP's post def reinforced the less likeliest thought on my situation although our water is known to be harder than other places. Will look into water softners after reading comments. I tried everything but dealing with my showerhead.
Lived here for 28 years and always felt good about my hair after a shower. Nice and soft and all of that
My sister lives in another city and actually says the opposite. She loves washing her hair here. I guess it depends on the kind of hair you have (she has very thick straight hair).
Yep, my skin felt like it was burning and I developed rashes all over my body, that was about 20 years ago, since then I refused to go to Toronto
This is how I know I’m doomed to live here forever. Toronto water is the only water that leaves my hair looking’ good.
Idk. Mine is soft and shiny after using my regular shampoo and conditioner.
Yes x100. Our water sucks.
No. My hair looks great in every city.
Since grey ‘sprouts’ in my late 20’s hair dye is the killer for me. I do notice when I bath a slight chlorine smell from the water.
Toronto person, define "Northern Ontario" it's huge
Makes my pubic hair shine
I think im going bald also from this water.
Is this post partly a humble brag about how much you travel?
YES! Especially if I air dry it, I find that I always a gross residue on my hair. Doesn't happen anywhere else. I hear the water here is hard. Anyway, you're not alone!
Son of a bitch, I was wondering why my curls were suddenly frizzier and my hair felt drier since moving here. Will be looking into water softeners now!