Effects of Hard Water on Hair: Causes, Effect, Prevention
Do you know that hard water can take a toll on the overall health of your hair? We do so much to maintain our skin and hair health ranging from the best laser hair removal treatment to hair spas and protein treatments. No matter how expensive or high-end products you use if you’re using hard water to wash your hair nothing will work to enhance the quality of your locks. Hard water contains a high amount of minerals like magnesium and calcium. These minerals accumulate within your hair fibers leading to extensive damage to your hair. Hard water can lead to many hair issues like discoloration, dullness, and hair damage. If hard water comes in your area even after shampooing and conditioning you’ll never feel your hair is clean and well-conditioned. Also, these minerals build up in your hair makes the absorption of hair dye very difficult. Hard water can also pose an issue for those who have undergone hair transplant.
Hard water deposits lead to the creation of a cast on your hair impossible to get off. This causes your hair to lose its elasticity and get brittle over time. Your hair may also lose its luster and color and become very dry. Hard water can also lead to scalp issues like eczema. But there are ways to deal with the damage caused by hard water. Keep reading to know the side effects of hard water on your hair and ways to counteract it.
What is Hard Water?
Hard water contains a high amount of dissolved mineral content including calcium, iron, and magnesium. These minerals do not cause any harm to your internal health, but the buildup can make your hair brittle, dry, more frizzy, and dull. The scalp can even become inflamed and irritated in adverse cases, especially if you have a history of eczema, psoriasis, or sensitive skin. Water with 7 grains per gallon is known to be hard. Each region will have different concentrations of minerals like calcium, iron, and magnesium, so some cities will have soft and others will have hard water. Hard water can be one of the main reasons for hair fall so you need to identify the water in your area and take essential steps to minimize its effects on your hair. If you do not catch the signs early on, hard water can lead to thinning hair-. Hard water can also lead to the clogging of the pores on the scalp hampering hair growth in the long term.
Ways to Combat Hair Damage Caused By Hard Water
There are various ways to deal with the damage caused to your hair by hard water. Let’s take a look at a few of them.
Signs of Hard Water in Your Area: Let’s take a look at a few of the signs that can be used to identify if you have hard water in your area.
Low-Quality Water: Hard water is mineral-rich and has a different quality, texture, and taste than soft water. It has an earthy and metallic taste compared to soft water because of the presence of magnesium, iron, and calcium. A strange taste or odor to drinking water is the first sign there is hard water in your home. If the water in your home smells like rotten eggs it may be because of certain bacteria or hydrogen sulfide gas reacting with magnesium.
Low Water Pressure: Hard water can also have an adverse effect on your plumbing. Most households get water from the municipal service lines or the ground. Through pipes, the water then travels where it collects solid materials and hard minerals. The accumulation of these substances leads to the blockage of the pipe and over time it reduces the flow and stops the water from passing through. Clogged pipes can be a sign of hard water.
Soap Scum Build Up: The build-up of soap scum can be a sign of hard water. They are whitish spots that after evaporation stick to different surfaces. This mainly occurs because in hard water the soap agents and mineral ions do not mix well. When soap and hard water get mixed, the minerals start reacting by separating from the water. After this the water dries up and mineral deposits are left behind. If you notice these spots on your shower curtains and bathroom walls it might indicate that you have hard water.
No Soap Suds: Another way to identify whether the water in your home is hard is by observing your soap lather. Soft water blends well with soap as it doesn’t have hard minerals. If you mix a little soap with soft water you will see a thick lather. This doesn’t happen with hard water as the minerals present in it are not water-soluble. Minerals that are present in hard water disrupt the soap’s and shampoo’s emulsion stability making them less effective. This can lead to soap build-up on the hair and skin, which can cause itching and white spots.
Use a Clarifying Shampoo: Hard water can damage your strands, make your hair dry, and strip vibrancy from colored hair. Using a clarifying shampoo is the most cost-effective and easiest solution to counteract the hard water’s effect on hair health. It contains ingredients like salicylic acid, citric acid, activated charcoal, bentonite clay, and apple cider vinegar to remove the buildup of minerals from the scalp and hair. With the help of a clarifying shampoo, you can get rid of bacteria, dead skin cells, and toxins in your hair.
Buy a Water Softener Showerhead: Hard water can have adverse effects on your hair and in worst cases, you may even have to go for hair loss treatment. If you want to save yourself from the harmful effects of hard water you can buy a water softener shower head. Shower heads comprise cartridges that contain carbon to remove harmful minerals before the hard water touches your hair. With water softener shower heads you can get all the advantages of soft water in your shower within your budget. They can remove the texture of your hair and minimize scalp issues.
Rinse Your Hair With Apple Cider Vinegar: Do you know that one of the best ways to clarify your hair is by using apple cider vinegar? Apple cider vinegar contains minerals and vitamins that strengthen and nourish your hair. It is prepared from fermented apple juice and is caustic and acidic with 94% water, 5% acetic acid and 1% carbohydrates. It is also an excellent source of potassium that reduces hair loss and encourages hair growth. Two times a week you can do an apple cider vinegar rinse because of its acetic acids’ caustic nature.
Use a Chelating Shampoo: It can be frustrating to deal with hair problems from the build-up of hard water. Whether it’s battling constant scalp irritation, dullness, or dryness you can use a chelating shampoo to deal with all kinds of hair issues. The chelating shampoo is formulated specially to remove mineral deposits and restore your hair’s natural shine. It’s like a deep cleansing treatment for your hair, leaving it rejuvenated and refreshed. This powerful cleansing method makes chelating shampoo better than regular shampoos. It is one of the best solutions for combating hard water buildup. When choosing a chelating shampoo you should look for ingredients like phytic acid, sodium citrate, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, citric acid, and surfactants.
Go for a Pre Shampoo Treatment: We try to look our best and invest in the best laser hair removal and haircare treatments. Yet, if your hair looks coarse and dry it could be because of hard water. A pre-shampoo treatment can be the best way to minimize the build-up of metals and minerals that penetrate your hair fiber. It is a hair-care product that you need to apply before shampooing to address concerns like scalp health, hydration, and nourishment. It removes existing buildup and promotes a healthy scalp before you cleanse your hair with shampoo. Choosing which type of pre-shampoo treatment will work for you will depend on your desired results and lifestyle.
Conclusion
Hard water can damage your hair and even lead to hair breakage, dullness, and frizziness as the mineral buildup can prevent moisture from penetrating your strands. It can also fade your hair color if they are dyed. If you’ve noticed your roots get greasy quickly, your hair feels brittle and dry or your hair color doesn’t last for a long time, it’s because you’ve been using hard water to wash your hair. However, there are many ways to deal with the adverse effects caused by hard water on your hair. You can invest in a good quality shower filter that can remove minerals and contaminants. Chelating shampoos can also be bliss for those who want to deal with the negative effects of hard water as they are formulated to remove mineral buildup and heavy metals in your hair. You can also go for hair loss treatments that are designed to help detoxify and protect your hair from harmful minerals. if you want to get more about Best Plastic Surgery Hospitals in Bangalore, then reach us now!
