Your general health and the appearance of your hair, skin, and nails depend on your drinking enough water. Both the water you drink and the water you use to wash and rinse your hair are crucial. The consequences of the water we use to wash our hair are almost instantly noticeable, whereas drinking water has long-term implications on hair development and health.
How Does Hard Water Affect Hair?
It’s crucial to first grasp what makes water “hard” in order to comprehend the effects that it might have on hair. The amount of calcium carbonate and magnesium sulfate in the water determines how hard it is.
Hardness in water is frequently blamed for leaving consumers with dry, brittle hair and has also been linked to improper soap lathering. The distinction between temporary and permanent hardness is also significant. Permanent hardness salts cannot be removed by boiling; however, temporary hardness salts can be eliminated by boiling the water before use.
Read also: Best Ways To Moisturize Your Hair
So what impact does hard water have on hair? Marcus claims that using hard water to wash hair causes an excessive buildup of minerals on the scalp and hair strands. The accumulation of minerals, primarily magnesium and calcium, can have a number of negative effects on the texture and health of your hair, including:
Prevents moisture
Utilizing hard water can lead to the accumulation of minerals like calcium and magnesium, which can prevent moisture absorption. Given that moisture is necessary for elasticity and shine, over time this moisture blockage can have a significant impact on the health and look of the hair.
Prevents effective cleansing
The minerals in hard water can make it challenging to create a lather, which can obstruct proper hair and scalp cleansing. This is probably the reason why people who use hard water report feeling “filmy” after washing their hair. According to research, using bar cleansers when washing with hard water results in soap scum that is difficult to remove from the hair and scalp.
Weighs the hair down
Many people who use hard water complain that their hair feels heavy, which may be due to the mineral buildup that is left behind. This is probably made worse by the hard water’s cleaning difficulties, as repeated improper cleanings would cause an accumulation of oil and minerals.
Can Hair Loss Be Caused by Hard Water?
It’s understandable why concerns about hard water causing hair loss would arise given all the possible problems that could arise from utilizing it. Despite the long list of issues brought on by hard water, neither specialist mentioned it as a contributing factor in hair loss. No clear correlation has been shown, but it may add to problems that make hair loss more likely.
Hard water is not a proven cause of hair loss, though some people may detect changes in their hair when exposed to it. In one investigation, it was discovered that water hardness had no effect on the hair’s tensile strength or elasticity.
However, harsh water may make it more difficult for moisture to penetrate the hair, making it more prone to dryness and breaking.
How to Handle Hard Water
As hard water can also impact the skin, some people may wish to look for a remedy for their hair or perhaps their entire shower after learning about the potential risks of washing their hair with it. You can use a variety of strategies to deal with hard water, such as improving your cleaning supplies and purchasing a specific shower head.
Invest in a New Shower
Installing a filter in your shower head will help you avoid hard water, which is the best technique to prevent hard water buildup. Preventing the buildup of hard water starts at the source, therefore using shower filters or water softeners may assist in softening the water.
Implement a clarifying shampoo
Use a chelating or clarifying shampoo once or twice a week as a backup if shower filters or water softeners are not for you.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Mineral and product buildup can be removed from hair with the aid of chelating chemicals like EDTA and apple cider vinegar. Another great mineral-removing component to look for is vitamin C. Chelating compounds, whether they are vitamin C or apple cider vinegar, thoroughly cleanse the hair, which is why some people could find them stripping.
Deep Conditioning Mask to Nourish
If the hard water deposits have caused your hair to become dry and brittle, you might want to use a deep conditioning mask after your clarifying treatment.
Read also: Mistakes You Might Be Making While Washing Your Hair