Korean Job Discussion Forums

stellarsky627 · Joined: 09 Feb 2010

So I'm a younger woman, and my hair has been coming out in LARGE amounts every time I get out of the shower after washing my hair. I've been in Korea for a few months now, and my hair has thinned dramatically. Some people have said it's because the water is "harder" than it is in the USA, other people say it's from the shampoo.

Has anyone else experienced this? And if so- what did you do to fix the issue?

Any ridiculous comments such as "get rogaine" or anything of the nature are completely unnecessary. Thanks for your help!

balzor · Joined: 14 Feb 2009

Provence · Joined: 18 Oct 2008 Location: South Korea

nathanrutledge · Joined: 01 May 2008 Location: Marakesh

I use Head and Shoulders here. My hair is thinning, but no more than it was back home. My city back home has some fantastic water. I'd vote more on the stress and other environmental factors than water.

Tbizz · Joined: 15 Sep 2010

I have, definitely. I went to the doctor on thursday because of this-it's seriously starting to worry me. I figured maybe i'd take blood tests or something- maybe with change in diet i lack essential vitamins & nutrients but doc just said its not noticable and probably due to stress. I'M STRESSED BECAUSE MY HAIR IS FALLING OUT. Thanks for telling me something i already knew.

anyway, i started taking women's 1 a day that my mom shipped me and today i'm going to to buy a filtration system and see how that goes.

Oh and i use shampoo i brought from home so it's not the shampoo.

If things change i'll let you know.
Good luck- losing hair is horrible- esp for a woman.

Triban · Joined: 14 Jul 2009 Location: Suwon Station

My Korean girlfriend loses an amazing amount of hair but I never notice any thinning.

Like...really. The shower has a huge amount I have to clean, then when I sweep the apartment it is mostly her hair.

This has confounded me to no end and I cannot understand it whatsoever.

rms2279 · Joined: 28 Sep 2010

. . .

brento1138 · Joined: 17 Nov 2004

Back home my hair grows slightly curly. Here it seems to have not only thinned but straightened out. Yeah, the water here is definitely harder. But it's possible to soften it. A friend of mine has, but it's in an apartment she and her Korean husband own, so I think they modified it and it could cost you a fair amount of money.

coffeesoda · Joined: 20 Feb 2009

You can buy a shower water softener, Emart has a few different models ranging in price & style. It's quite nice, def.makes my hair feel better and seems to tangle less.

When you buy it they will set up an appointment for the man to come install it in the shower-- this will entail drilling into the shower walls and hooking the pipes up but was very fast. He was in and out in about 30 mins, and it's been working great for a few years now. Every 2 mmonths you'll need to recharge the whatever it is that softens the water but it's simple.

Price for the water softener ranges from 200,000 - 400,00 won and the salt bottles (to recharge) can be found on gmarket for about 20,000 or less (each box lasts about a year or so).

You can also "rent" a water softener but will need a Korean friend to help. This is is sort of a "rent to own" deal and after a few years of paying a monthly fee (very cheap, around 10,000 or 20,000/month) it's yours to keep-- which is good cos it's already installed in your apt.

This may seem pricey if you're here for the short term but it's incredible how much better the shower feels, not only for washing my hair. Good luck, hope this helps...

jdog2050 · Joined: 17 Dec 2006

kimuchiii · Joined: 02 Dec 2007

For the short term you could try washing your hair with bottled water. A bit of a pain I know but one way to rule out if it is the water or not. Just buy a large bowl (probably best in your bathroom or use your sink) and wash your hair separately. Sorry to hear that your hair is coming out-hope your body adjusts (or whatever) and stops because I'm sure that's not helping your stress levels Confused

Globutron · Joined: 13 Feb 2010 Location: England/Anyang

Anyone else noticed the severe increase in 'going bald' threads in the last couple of weeks?

Something tells me *somebody* has spiked the water supply in SOUTH Korea...

princess · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: soul of Asia

Maybe the hard water is not to blame. Maybe it is the nasty sulfates, parabens and petro chemicals (antifreeze and brake fluid, under the names propylene glycol and butyl alcohol)Sulfates are used to degrease mechanics' garages and clean floors...YUCK.They are found in MOST shampoos. Every breathing, walking person has used these. They are in "surprise, surprise" ALL the most popular brands. Gotta love how we are being poisoned on every angle. Try switching to an all or mostly natural shampoo...and I am NOT talking about LUSH either. LUSH is not natural folks. Look at the methylparaben in their face creams...YUCK.

princess · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: soul of Asia

princess · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: soul of Asia

AND...It's scary, but I have noticed so many ladies here with balding on top of their heads at the scalp...and i am talking women of all ages, from like 20s up to 50s/60s, etc. Even a girl I work is in her 30s and has a balding spot on top of her head. She told me that's why she mostly wears it up, so she can hide the bald spot. So, they are doing something wrong here. probably a combo of chemical shampoos/conditioners, getting too many magic straights or curly perms, etc. My Mom still has a full head of hair.