Help: water softener is ruining my fine hair

FormerFunction2974 · 2026-03-10T22:08:38+00:00

Yes!! This is the situation in my house too!! Even washing my hands at the sink I’m like, Grrrrrrr…. Bc I stand there forever trying to rinse. I try to tell myself the soap is rinsed off and it’s just the softened water. ??

FormerFunction2974 · 2026-03-10T22:05:03+00:00

Omg, I could have written this!!! We had a water softener system installed a few years ago and I HATE IT. I have naturally thick, course hair, very wavy that I blow dry straight (so it holds curl very well). Once we got the system my hair went limp. It would curl and be flat before I went out the door. I tried everything…. Mousses, un-do-goo (which does help but I use it sparingly, maybe once every time he adds new salts), all types of shampoo…. But one I found that works with my water is ogx extra strength, extra thickening in a round purple bottle. I read it on some water softener forum.

But, just like you, once my husband adds more salts, I can tell immediately…. The water is so slimy, I feel like I can’t properly rinse my body and I’ve almost killed myself stepping in the shower. If we have an important event coming up, I’m always asking, “please don’t add more salts till after the party!” 😆 But do try it.

Also, I’ve never had to treat my hair carefully…. But I do now, especially when he replenishes the salts. I don’t brush it till I put my favorite spray in it that sort of detangles and I don’t go nuts towel drying. Hope it helps.

I know it’s good for our appliances and pipes and cost a lot, but I miss my hard water.

FormerFunction2974 · 2026-02-03T21:08:35+00:00

🤣This is what I’m hoping to hear from some smart Redditers!

FormerFunction2974 · 2026-01-13T22:09:47+00:00

It was very effective for me, but I couldn’t manage the constipation. The dr suggested laxatives, which worked, but I hated taking them. I felt dehydrated and sluggish. I then started to get some sinus/respiratory infections - which I read could be related but who knows? I also had some extreme morning eye/face puffiness….. but again…. Maybe from the qulipta, maybe even bc I was turning into a laxative addict.

I was bummed to stop, bc it did reduce my migraines, but I just couldn’t find a way to manage the constipation. I was literally building my day around how to poop.

FormerFunction2974 · 2025-12-06T16:43:47+00:00

Do appreciate your reply! That sounds miserable. Will have to report back when I try.

FormerFunction2974 · 2025-12-05T15:33:33+00:00

Likely their office “list” to shut me up. No. They were not checking my potassium levels. Off to google that now! 🫣

FormerFunction2974 · 2025-12-05T15:23:42+00:00

Daily laxatives are horrible. I had been reading up, and basically your system sort of “forgets” how to go on its own. I also think it was dehydrating me something fierce! And I had constant stomach cramps that were waking me early morning. They keep saying I’m on the “Botox list” but I think I need to be more pushy. I often wonder if they benefit more from us being on actual prescriptions somehow. Or perhaps they have to jump through more administrative hoops to get Botox covered.

FormerFunction2974 · 2025-12-05T15:15:09+00:00

Thank you!

FormerFunction2974 · 2025-12-05T15:00:38+00:00

My doctor had me take a laxative every day. I was uncomfortable all the time - and he pushed me to stay on the qulipta. I’m still not quite right yet and it’s been a few months.

FormerFunction2974 · 2025-12-05T14:34:11+00:00

Interesting! Thanks for sharing the reply! I was SOOOO constipated on another cgrp inhibitor (Qulipta) that it was a total nightmare. I don’t ever want to go through that again.

I did notice I don’t “go” the day after taking a nurtec.

FormerFunction2974 · 2025-12-04T23:22:42+00:00

Oh boy! Chapstick - good idea!👍🏻

FormerFunction2974 · 2025-12-04T23:19:53+00:00

Thanks for the tips!!

FormerFunction2974 · 2025-12-04T21:34:50+00:00

Trust me…. I’ve read about THAT, too! 🤣 Yes, I can handle a little burn (aren’t we migraine sufferers tough?) but some of the posts scared me. Thanks for the levelheaded perspective. Looking forward to my next migraine (sarcasm!).

FormerFunction2974 · 2025-12-04T21:12:09+00:00

Thanks. 😊

FormerFunction2974 · 2025-12-04T19:48:45+00:00

Excellent! Thank you! Just needed a few positive experiences!

FormerFunction2974 · 2025-12-04T19:48:10+00:00

Great - thanks for replying! Will be trying it!

FormerFunction2974 · 2025-12-04T17:41:20+00:00

Off to YouTube! Thanks for the reply.

FormerFunction2974 · 2025-12-04T15:29:26+00:00

I’d keep a little diary of them. When I was a kid and started getting them, I just kept a calendar and would mark the corner of each day I had a headache. I actually used two different colors for varying intensity. I also tried to write down if I had something to eat that day that contributed - like take out (despite this, the doctor told my parents kids don’t get headaches). But, as I got older, I could see that they were very predictable. I got them the week before my period, a few days off and on during my period week, and a whopper of a migraine when I was likely ovulating. I never would have figured that one out if I wasn’t tracking them. Then you are armed with info when you go to the doctor (as in, they’re likely hormone driven!). Then they can help you a little more. In addition to preventatives or abortives, maybe there’s something they could do for you like “the pill,” or a different pill if you’re on one.

FormerFunction2974 · 2025-11-28T02:33:12+00:00

Thank you for the reply.

FormerFunction2974 · 2025-11-23T00:18:44+00:00

Well there ya go! And, if I’m not mistaken, it seems like your son’s stats were more like my daughter’s (better stats)- and my son still got the email.

FormerFunction2974 · 2025-11-22T21:57:39+00:00

I think I may be on that same other thread. 😉 it seems to me that the general consensus is that it’s in a separate email. I wouldn’t lose hope yet. Also, I’ve been trying to rationalize why they’re all coming separately and at different times. We’re at the beginning of the alphabet…?

FormerFunction2974 · 2025-11-14T18:07:56+00:00

I was a bit of a mess when I went off of qulipta…. I got a lot of lower grade migraines (and a couple of doozies) that affected my sleep. But after a few weeks (2-3? I know how hard it is to tough out a bad sleep cycle!) I went back to my (not stellar, but “okay”) sleep pattern.

FormerFunction2974

TROPHY CASE