We agree. Western shower head technology is outdated and obsolete. We still shower like our grandparents 50 years ago. There are new types of shower streams, but everything else is the same. Most "modern" showerheads still have:
- high water consumption
- poor cleansing power
- no filters against pollutants
- impurities from old pipes
- no caring water additives
It is time for a change. Let's see how we do that.
This page is divided into three problem areas coming from unfiltered shower water - and three solutions from our side. Plus you get two bonuses at the end! Enjoy the ride :D
1. Chlorine is that dangerous?
Kills Natural oils
Chlorine is an oxidant and can strip the skin of its natural oils, causing dryness, inflammation and irritation. This may be exacerbated in people with psoriasis or eczema. Over exposure to chlorine may result in accelerated aging of the skin, as well as random breakouts, rashes and redness.
Kills hair moisture
Chlorine, a chemical compound made from chlorine gas and sodium hydroxide, removes moisture from hair. This leads to brittle hair, dryness, dullness, frizziness, split ends, and damaged roots. These factors can cause hair loss.
Changes hair color
Chlorine in tap water can damage hair color, whether it's natural or treated. If you have blonde hair that turns green, it's due to the chlorine and metals in the water. You spent 300€ on that hair treatment? Filtering your water with our shower head will protect it.
Impairs other beauty products
The average consumer spends over 3.500€ a year on their appearance. Whether you have a 1-step or 10-step routine, use drugstore skincare, or luxury skincare, using dirty water as part of your beauty routine can sabotage your investment in your skin.
Unfortunately, many cities use chlorine to disinfect tap water. Chlorine has a sterilizing effect due to its strong oxidizing power. It also damages protein, which is the main component of skin and hair. It increases the risk of skin diseases like eczema and causes problems like itchiness, dandruff, and hair loss.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) removes chlorine by neutralizing chlorine water.
The chemical structure of Vitamin C interacts with the chlorine contained in tap water, creating non-harmful mild hydrochloric acid.
The result is mildly acidic yet clean water ideal for your hair and skin development.
2. Hard water and limescale can damage hair and skin?
Unfiltered water carries harsh minerals and impurities from dirty, rusty pipes that can damage your skin and hair. Over time, this turns into weak hair follicles, flaky skin, and even psoriasis and eczema flare-ups.
Hard water coats the hair with a film of mineral buildup that leaves it feeling filmy, straw-like, and weighing down curls. This leads to easier accumulation of buildup, which erodes the hair's elasticity and leaves it feeling limp.
People living in areas with hard water are more likely to develop eczema or psoriasis because mineral residue on the skin can cause dryness, a leading precursor for flareups.
Furthermore, vitamin C is an environmentally friendly acid that reacts with limescale to make it water-soluble and harmless.
Vitamin C is an acid similar to vinegar but much weaker. It can prevent hard water (meaning water with lots of minerals) from building up soap scum by breaking down calcium carbonate into water-soluble compounds, water, and CO2.
This process lets your soaps and shampoos do their job effectively, leaving you truly clean.
3. Dirt and rust is in tap water?
Tap water travels through pipes that are, on average, 56 years old in Berlin, Germany. Water collects rust & dust in the pipes. The average age of a water main in Berlin is 52 years; the oldest pipes are around 120 years old.
That is what gives our handle filters a brown and black color over the weeks, see left side.
- Rust Particles (Iron)
- Dust
- Sand
Independent water lab tests show our cotton fiber filters to be highly effective in filtering out heavy metals and nitrates.
- Lead
- Copper
- Zinc
- Nitrate
The United States Food and Drug Administration certifies this filter as high-performance.
It is composed of fine fibrous cotton-like tissue that filters bacteria, parasites, and other contaminants commonly found in tap water. The filter reduces chlorine and bad taste while removing dirt particles and odor from tap water.
It is made of natural materials – wood pulp and cotton – that do not contain harmful substances or chemicals.
Case Study Berlin Mitte, 06-09/202
*iPhone 12, no filter or edits
New and shiny
Week 6
Week 11
New filter after one shower :(
Picki Niki vs. Other Shower Heads
Tea Tree – The delightful pepper minty smell for a refreshing shower experience
Baby Powder – The warm powdery smell for a comforting shower experience
Unscented – contains no fragrances, for those sensitive to fragrances
The gel inside the Vitamin filter has only natural ingredients. It is composed of vitamin C, collagen, glycerin, natural essential oils, and distilled water hold together in a matrix of xanthan gum.
Xanthan gum is a natural sugar molecule often used as a food thickener.
None of these ingredients are harmful for the human body.
Spa every day
Save Water
Save Money
Save Time
Turn on your shower & FEEL the difference. Your regular shower head will just not compare after using Pickiniki's.
Our shower head is designed to need only two thirds the amount of water compared to European showerheads.