How Does Hard Water Affect My Hair?
Sometimes we want to find one good reason why our hair is not looking its best. However, most of the times it’s not one thing, but an array of different factors that come into play. One of the least-thought variables is the water in your shower which, if you live in certain areas, can be hard water. You see, hard water can leave your hair feeling lifeless and even rough to the touch. One of the reasons behind this lies in its high mineral content (magnesium and calcium mainly); another reason is the occurrence of chlorine, fluoride and chloramines in the water. These chemicals are put into our water to eliminate bacteria and to reduce the presence of antibiotics or any other waste that is in the water.
Some people who come from areas with softer water will notice the difference in their hair almost immediately once they switch to hard water. However, some people who have always had hard water may not notice an issue until after some time. There are different things that can happen after showering with hard water for too long:
Damaged hair: After many washings, minerals dissolved in the hard water create a film on the hair. This prevents the moisture from entering the hair, thus, the dry appearance.
If you have used our henna hair dyes, hard water will make your shade fade faster.
Here are some treatments we recommend that can help your hair when it needs a boost of life after it’s been washed with hard water:
Apple Cider Vinegar Rinses: The acidity in this type of vinegar works to remove scaly build-up from your hair, while rebalancing your pH and increasing blood flow to strengthen the hair and rejuvenate the scalp.
Zen Detox Hair Mask: Applying this mask once a week can do wonders. Its active ingredient, Bentonite Clay, helps pull out every toxin or mineral build-up, giving back your hair its natural shine and softness.
However, the best options we suggest to prevent further damage to your hair is getting a good shower filter, in case a home water filter system is not an option. Here are some of the shower filters that we recommend:
Carbon filters: They are effective at removing chlorine but not chloramines. Another downside is that the higher the temperature of the water, the less effective they are at filtering out chlorine. This would be a good option if you like cool showers.
KDF filters: They are effective at removing chlorine as well, but not as good with removing chloramines. This is a good option if there is no chloramine present in your water.
Vitamin C filters: Even if there is no filter that will eliminate 100% chlorine, chemicals and minerals in water, Vitamin C filters are by far the most effective option. Vitamin C creates a chemical reaction that almost completely removes chlorine, chloramines and mineral traces.
Getting a water filter is essential for your hair if you live in certain zones. The map below will help you better define if this is something you should look into:
Some people who come from areas with softer water will notice the difference in their hair almost immediately once they switch to hard water. However, some people who have always had hard water may not notice an issue until after some time. There are different things that can happen after showering with hard water for too long:
Damaged hair: After many washings, minerals dissolved in the hard water create a film on the hair. This prevents the moisture from entering the hair, thus, the dry appearance.
If you have used our henna hair dyes, hard water will make your shade fade faster.
Here are some treatments we recommend that can help your hair when it needs a boost of life after it’s been washed with hard water:
Apple Cider Vinegar Rinses: The acidity in this type of vinegar works to remove scaly build-up from your hair, while rebalancing your pH and increasing blood flow to strengthen the hair and rejuvenate the scalp.
Zen Detox Hair Mask: Applying this mask once a week can do wonders. Its active ingredient, Bentonite Clay, helps pull out every toxin or mineral build-up, giving back your hair its natural shine and softness.
However, the best options we suggest to prevent further damage to your hair is getting a good shower filter, in case a home water filter system is not an option. Here are some of the shower filters that we recommend:
Carbon filters: They are effective at removing chlorine but not chloramines. Another downside is that the higher the temperature of the water, the less effective they are at filtering out chlorine. This would be a good option if you like cool showers.
KDF filters: They are effective at removing chlorine as well, but not as good with removing chloramines. This is a good option if there is no chloramine present in your water.
Vitamin C filters: Even if there is no filter that will eliminate 100% chlorine, chemicals and minerals in water, Vitamin C filters are by far the most effective option. Vitamin C creates a chemical reaction that almost completely removes chlorine, chloramines and mineral traces.
Getting a water filter is essential for your hair if you live in certain zones. The map below will help you better define if this is something you should look into: