Understanding Hard Water Hair Damage

Getting your head (and your hair) around the impact that different types of water can have, can be challenging. But with hair washing such a fundamental part of haircare, it’s important to recognise what kind of water your hair regularly comes into contact with, what kind of affect that water can have on your hair, and how best to protect your hair. 

In this blog post, we uncover the reality of living and washing your hair in a hard water location. 

What is hard water?

All water contains different minerals and chemicals. The concentration of certain minerals is what justifies the ‘hardness’ of water – with hard water the name given to water which contains high levels of calcium and magnesium. In comparison, soft water contains higher levels of sodium. 

Many people will be unaware of what kind of water their home or property has access to, however there are a few ways to tell if your water is hard or not.

Hard water is characterised by:

• Spots appearing on glasses or silverware after washing
• Lower water pressure in your home
• A light film on your hands after using soap, due to the hard water calcium reacting with the soap

And that light film isn’t just relegated to your hands. It can also settle in your hair during washing – and here’s what happens when it does. 

How can hard water affect your hair?

The build up of minerals in hard water produces a film on your hair during the washing process, which makes it difficult for moisture to penetrate your hair. The result? Dry and brittle hair which, seemingly, cannot be fixed no matter what product you use. In fact, you’d be amazed at how many of our clients complain of dry hair and blame their products, not knowing that it is actually their water which is the problem.

Dryness isn’t the only effect of hard water though. Some of the other signs include a decrease in thickness of the hair, thinning, dullness, a dry scalp, brassiness, and even hair loss in some cases. 

All of these are seen as a result of the inability for moisture to penetrate and condition the hair, leaving it dry and subject to extreme breakage. But what can you do about it? 

How to fix hard water hair damage

The most obvious fix is to change your water from hard to soft water, and while this may feel impossible (short of moving to a new area), there are things you can do to reduce the negative impact of hard water on your hair. 

The first thing you can do is install a water softener shower head on your shower, which filters the water as it runs up the shower hose and through the head. While the water will still contain some minerals, the strength will be far lower and thus your hair will not suffer the same dryness after washing. 

Another thing you can do is to use clarifying shampoo and conditioning products which are designed to restore and cleanse hair which has been subject to hard water. By removing the mineral build up at the roots, these products will give your hair a greater chance of soaking in the moisture it needs. 

Other solutions include:

• Hydrating hair masks which restore and inject extra moisture into your hair to give it a shine.
• Use a citrus and vinegar concoction on your hair using water, vinegar, and a pure citrus juice. Apple cider vinegar is a good option because it contains additional vitamins which nourish the hair. 

How to protect your hair from hard water 

While all of the above solutions will help to restore your hair to a good state following exposure to hard water, there are a few things you can do in the wake of hard water washing which will help to protect your hair. 

The first is to reconsider the way you wash your hair. By starting from the crown and working you ward towards the forehead, you follow the natural growth structure of the hair and thus help to prevent additional stress and breakage. 

You can also use the clarifying products mentioned above in hard water, as they will help to remove any excess build up which clogs your hair. 

Finally, make sure that you finish each hair wash with a blast of cold water, as this seals the cuticles and helps to reduce the impact of product and mineral build up at the roots. 

If your hair is suffering from hard water and needs a little TLC, why not book for a professional wash, cut, and blow dry, and restore it to its natural beauty? Visit our website for more appointment information.