Effects of Hard Water on Your Hair and How to Deal With It

Hard water contains a mix of minerals that build-up to create a film-type feeling. Now imagine this film on your hair! When you wash your hair with hard water the film makes it difficult for your hair to get the moisture and nourishment it needs. As a result, your hair becomes dry and prone to split ends.

If you are worried about the effects of hard water on your hair, then keep reading to learn about how you can counteract the effects of hard water. 

The Effect Of Hard Water On Your Hair

Hard water is not harmful or toxic in any way, it can just cause very minor side effects on your hair and skin. A 2016 study found that women who were washing their hair in hard water samples experienced a decrease in the thickness of their hair, as well as having a ruffled appearance. Additional effects of hard water on your hair include the following:

  • Thinning of the hair
  • Split ends
  • Dry/itchy scalp
  • Frizziness
  • Brassiness

In more severe cases, some people have experienced hair loss due to long-term damage caused by hard water. 

How To Repair Your Hair

If your hair has been damaged as a result of hard water, then these 3 tips should help bring your hair back to life. 

Use Hard Water Shampoo

Washing your hair with hard water makes it more difficult for you to wash out all of the shampoo and condition in your hair, which causes a build-up that stays in the hair.  One way to counteract this issue is to use a hard water shampoo.

To help narrow down your options, visit Allaboutthegloss.com, as they have created a list of the most effective hard water shampoos to use. The better the shampoo, the more effective it will be! Be prepared to pay a little extra for those more effective shampoos, but it will be worth it when you can finally say goodbye to hard water hair.

Change Your Shower Head

Another way to counteract the effects of hard water is to buy a water softener shower head to replace your current one. These showerheads are filled with carbon so that they can remove the minerals in the water before it touches the hair. It will not be capable of eradicating all the minerals in the water, but the concentration will be significantly reduced.

As a result, you will have access to water that is cleaner and healthier. This method is not as expensive as you might think and it is a great long-term solution for hard water. 

Use Hair Masks

You will have heard of face masks, but perhaps not hair masks. These are an excellent tool to help restore moisture and shine back into your hair. Ideally, you need to use a nourishing hair mask at least two times a week to really reap the rewards. Ensure that you massage the mask into your scalp and take the time to run it through the ends of your hair. Opt for one with a low pH as this will help to keep moisture in and lock minerals out. 

Don’t settle for hard water hair! Tackle the problem today and you will be grateful tomorrow as it will affect your looks in general.