The Hidden Culprit Behind Bad Hair Days: Hard Water!

Combatting Hard Water The Effects on Your Hair and How to Repair It

Is hard water ruining your hair? Here’s how to fix it!

Not many people give much thought to the quality of the water their shower head disperses, but the type of water you are using to shampoo your hair can be more detrimental to its health than you think. Hard water, with higher-than-normal amounts of calcium, magnesium, and other minerals or heavy metals, can be the reason for limp locks and perpetual frizz. That’s because as hard water accumulates on the hair and scalp, it can work against your best efforts to make every day a good hair day.

We enlisted the help of experts Dr. Joshua Zeichner and Shab Caspara to share everything you need to know about hard water hair damage, plus tips to prevent and treat future damage. Let’s dive in!

Meet the Experts

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of hard water effects on hair, let’s meet our lovely experts:

• Joshua Zeichner, MD: A board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
• Shab Caspara: A hair-health expert, trichologist, and founder of hair-care brand Leona.

How Hard Water Affects Hair Health

According to Dr. Zeichner, water hardness is determined by the amount of calcium it contains. “Hard water is thought to be harsh on the skin, leading to skin barrier disruption and a loss of hydration resulting in skin inflammation throughout the body, including the scalp,” he says. “Hard water can be particularly irritating and can lead to dryness, flaking, and itching of the skin.”

Besides affecting the scalp, hard water can also wreak havoc on the hair, provoking dryness, brittleness, brassy hair color, and color fading. “Hard water can leave a hard-to-remove film on the hair and scalp that accumulates over time, leading to less than ideal hair conditions,” says Caspara. “Minerals, like calcium, can change the hair color while iron can interfere with chemical treatments like highlighting, straightening or relaxing services.” The buildup of minerals can also limit how much moisture the hair can absorb, leaving it looking and feeling dry, dull, frizzy, and hard to manage.

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Signs of Hard Water Hair Damage

Identifying hard water damage as the cause of your hair problems may not be the easiest to diagnose simply because not everyone understands the potential effects water can cause. However, there are a few signs to note:

• A green or white coating on your shower head and sink faucets.
• Weak water pressure.
• Dry, dull, frizzy, or limp hair.

Caspara says hard water may be the culprit if the hair never feels clean enough, causing you to over-cleanse it, which can dry out your hair or irritate the scalp. “Calcium in water mixes with shampoo to create a difficult-to-rinse-away soap scum that makes hair products ineffective,” she explains. “When that happens, the conditioner cannot penetrate the hair and work efficiently.”

If your hair is frizzy, coarse, or breaks easily, Dr. Zeichner recommends determining if the water in your shower is a problem since many of those factors link to hard water damage.

When there’s a buildup of minerals on the hair, it can lack shine and the ability to retain moisture, causing the hair’s natural luster to fade. Hard water can also cause your color and highlights to fade fast and turn brassy. Split ends are also problematic since the hair’s protective outer layer starts to slowly break down, causing the hair to split and break. And the scalp can feel tight or itchy due to the residue left behind. There’s also a connection between excessive exposure to hard water and hair thinning. Caspara says hard water is harsh on the scalp and offsets the microbiome, causing inflammation and dryness. “When that happens, it can lead to hair thinning over time.”

Hard Water Hair Treatments

Now that we know the enemy, it’s time to fight back against hard water damage! Here are some treatments and tips to keep your hair healthy:

1. Get a Water Softener or Filter: Installing a water softener or filter for your shower head can help clarify the water and reduce the amount of hard minerals in it. Water softeners remove calcium compounds, while water filters remove other impurities. You can purchase water-softening showerheads to enjoy a softer shower experience.

2. Choose Gentle Shampoos: Stick with gentle shampoos that don’t strip the scalp and hair. Opt for ultra-hydrating hair products that help protect the outer layer of the hair from the damaging effects of calcium in the water.

3. Try Purifying Shampoos and Rinses: Purifying shampoos and acidic rinses, like apple cider vinegar, can help lower the hair’s pH and break up any buildup. They attract minerals and lift them off the hair while smoothing the cuticle. Use them weekly, followed by a rich conditioner or hair mask to lock in moisture.

4. Use Pre-Wash Treatments: Pre-wash treatments, such as Colorproof Pre-Tox Spray, are important to strip away hard water minerals, buildup, and residue. Look for shampoos specifically designed to remove hard water buildup from thicker or medium hair density types.

5. Opt for Tepid or Cool Water: Always shampoo and condition your hair with tepid or cool water rather than hot water. Hot water strips the lead and lime off pipes and deposits onto your scalp and hair, contributing to hard water damage.

Taking things a step beyond regular hair care, hard water treatments like Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Hair Remedy and L’Oréal Metal Detox Mask can remove minerals and metals and the residue they leave behind, giving you stronger, shinier, and healthier hair. These treatments are especially crucial before any chemical service, such as highlighting, coloring, perming, straightening, or relaxing, to avoid damage or incorrect color outcomes.

So, Fashionistas, let’s show hard water who’s boss and say goodbye to bad hair days! Remember, by taking care of your water quality, you’re taking care of your hair. Feel free to share your tips and experiences combating hard water damage in the comments below!✨✨

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