Russian trichologist and cosmetologist Sofia Belash has weighed in on a trend among young people of washing their hair with filtered or bottled water instead of tap water, according to Gazeta.Ru.
Supporters of the trend say the practice leaves hair softer, shinier and less frizzy. Belash said hair can genuinely look better as a result, but the improvement mostly comes from bottled water containing fewer mineral salts rather than any special property of the water itself. She said soft water will not solve problems with brittle or falling hair.
Belash said tap water quality can affect hair condition. In regions with hard water containing high levels of calcium and magnesium salts, mineral deposits can be left on the hair after washing, sometimes making it feel coarser, harder to comb, quicker to lose shine, with dyed hair fading faster.
Other factors at play
The specialist noted that hair quality can also be affected by scalp condition, hormonal changes, nutrient deficiencies, chronic stress, poorly chosen hair care products or regular heat styling.
Belash warned that if hair is already damaged, simply swapping tap water for bottled water will not address those underlying causes. She added that not every bottled water differs significantly in mineral content from tap water, so the expected effect may not appear at all.
In July, top stylist Alexander Avanesov of the beauty space Shevelyur recommended hairstyles that mask dirty hair for Russian women, suggesting sleek low buns, ponytails and side-parted styles with hair clips.
