What does Hard Water do to your Hair?

Last Updated 2 years ago:

What does hard water do to your hair? It can leave behind a residue of minerals that may cause dryness and curly hair. These minerals will cling onto your hair strands, leaving them feeling coarse and dull-looking. If you are experiencing these symptoms, it could be because of the hard water you are using on your hair!

Here are some ways to tell if you have hard water: – You notice white spots on your dishes when they come out of the dishwasher – Your skin feels tight after showering or bathing – You see lather forming when taking a shower or bath – Your soap doesn’t seem to be bubbling as much as it can.

How to care for hard water hair?

Are your hair dull and matted after showering? This is the reason.

Those who live in areas with hard water well know that hair does not look the same as when you wash it with soft water. Hard water is considered to have high mineral salts such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, and manganese. It is easily identified because it is the type of water that is difficult to lather with shampoo in the shower. The mineral residues in the water can clog the pipes of electrical appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers or irons.

After washing, those identical residues remain on the hair, making it dull, dull, and slightly caked. A few hours after washing your hair with hard water, you will notice that your hair needs to be rewashed. It is even known that the color tone can be modified by frequent washing with hard water, especially concerning hair dyed blonde or red.

What measures should we take then to get beautiful hair in places with hard water? Take note of these tricks.

Tips for washing hair with hard water

Hard water hair care tips

One of the common mistakes of people who wash their hair with hard water is to apply too much shampoo. The explanation is straightforward: as with this type of water, soaps tend to make less foam; we think we need more. This can cause product residue to remain on the scalp, leaving hair dry and dull. So remember to thoroughly rinse your hair when you use hard water to wash your hair.

One of the tricks that stylists resort to in beauty salons is to use a clarifying or “wash-in” shampoo. These shampoos are designed to drag and remove residues from the hair, whether oils, pollution residues, fixing products, or lime residues from hard water. For example, it is an ideal product to apply before coloring, as it allows the hair to “restart.” The problem with regular use is that this type of shampoo dries out the hair, so it is essential to complement it with a good conditioner. Its use is ideal for scalps with excess sebum.

Clarifying shampoo

On the other hand, it is recommended that you invest in a good shower filter. You’ll find filters that specialize in “softening” hard water. This type of filter reduces the amount of residue left on the hair after washing with hard water. But it is also beneficial for the skin since it dries it less and prevents itching, primarily if we use a “syndet” gel, which respects the skin’s hydrolipidic layer.

If the problem of hard water catches you on a trip, a recommended trick to show off your hair clean, loose, and shiny is to use bottled water for rinsing. The difference will be noticeable.

Does hard water cause permanent hair loss?

Hard water doesn’t cause permanent hair loss, but it can lead to breakage after prolonged use. Research studies have shown that hard water does not directly affect the tensile strength and elasticity of hairs. However, the minerals such as calcium carbonates, magnesium sulfates, and toxic lead chloride in high concentrations pose a significant risk for our hair health. With dull, lifeless dryness prone to becoming fragile, which may manifest through shorter lengths or even strands being lost from your head due to some alopecia areata.

Our hair starts feeling brittle until; eventually, coarse textures develop, making them easily damaged and susceptible to damage caused by everyday activities like brushing against furniture edges while sleeping or sitting.

Conclusion:

What does hard water do to your hair? Well, you’ll need a new shampoo and conditioner. That is because of the minerals in it that can cause dryness and frizziness. You may also notice more frequent tangles or knots in your locks, which have been linked with mineral content as well! If this sounds like something you want to avoid, consider switching from tap water to filtered water. It tastes better anyway!