Hard Water and Your Healthy Hair Journey!

It’s common for people to notice a difference in their hair after moving to a different city or country. Humidity and pollution levels – even altitude - can play havoc with curls, frizz, texture and shine. If these factors don’t account for suddenly dry, rough hair, hard water may be the culprit.

What is hard water?
Rainwater is soft and mineral free, but as it seeps through the ground it picks up minerals from the soil and rocks, which give it its character. By definition, hard water is rich in minerals. Calcium, iron, copper, magnesium, silica and lead can all be found in hard water. Hard water can especially be found in rural areas.
Chlorine can also be found in hard water. Chlorine is a harsh oxidizer added to the water to kill bacteria and also badly effects hair.

Some signs of hard water are:

• A rust or green colour around the drains of the bathtub
• Needing to use lots of soap to get a lather

What are the effects on your hair?
Signs include:

• Discolouration
• Lacks body
• Less shine
• Brittle texture
• Early grey hair
• Split ends
• Dry itchy scalp
• Hair loss

EXTRA FACT: Hard water can inhibit the proper processing of perms, colour and relaxers.
On the other hand, hard water isn’t all bad news for hair. Drinking it can help prevent mineral deficiencies which lead to hair loss.


What can you do to prevent the problems hard water causes?
For damaged hair, treat with a clarifying (or chelating shampoo). Once this is done, continue the rest of your washing routine using soft water and plenty of moisture and protein.
Here are a few quick and easy solutions that will bring more life and vibrancy to your hair and also prep the hair to receive colour processes more effectively:

• Installing a water filtration system to soften the household’s water supply is an expensive but convenient solution to the problem. Alternatively, some filters attach directly to the showerhead, and purify water not only from minerals but chlorine. As chlorine is also damaging to hair, this is a particularly hair-friendly investment. They are supposed to be good for about 6 months before needing a replacement filter.

• A clarifying shampoo is another great way to strip off built up product as well as some minerals from the hair. They are designed to remove impurities like minerals from hair while restoring it back to its best possible health and shine. The effects are immediate. Your hair will feel softer and look fuller and shinier. If you use it too often it will dry the hair. Be sure to condition afterwards.

• The use of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) and water mixture as your final rinse. This helps flatten the cuticle for the hair. The acidic nature of the ACV helps tighten and close those raised cuticles allowing your hair to retain more moisture. Apple Cider Vinegar also stimulates hair follicles to encourage healthier hair growth. The high acidity and powerful enzymes in Apple Cider Vinegar also supports a healthy scalp. Use 1/4 cup of Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 cups of water. Mix that up and pour it over the hair in the shower as a final rinse after deep conditioning. The rinse will help lock in all the benefits from the Deep Conditioner, into your hair, by closing the cuticles. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm/cool water.

• Distilled water. Distilled water is completely free of minerals. Used as a rinse after washing hair, it can help alleviate dryness and discolouration caused by hard water. Filtered or bottled water are cheaper alternatives.

What products are available here in the UK?

• You can buy Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) from most supermarkets and health food shops.

• Distilled water can be found in local hair shops and Amazon.

• Clarifying shampoos found here in the UK include: Tresemme Deep Cleansing Shampoo, Nexxus Clarifying Shampoo, Elasta QP Scalp Stimulating Shampoo, Boots Expert Product Buildup Shampoo, ORS Creamy Aloe, KeraCare 1st Lather, Organic Root Stimulator Uplifting Shampoo and Nexxus Aloe Rid Shampoo (To name a few).