Are you frustrated with your dry, damaged, and lifeless hair? Maybe you've done everything you can think of. You've taken every hair vitamin, used a microfiber towel, avoided heat styling, applied all the best conditioners and serums in the store... but still no results?
If you've done all of this and are still having trouble with your hair, the problem may be with your water. Yes, you might be surprised. Some of the things in the water we use can damage our hair. That's what we're going to talk about today.
What is hard water?
Simply put, hard water is water that contains a high amount of dissolved minerals, especially calcium and magnesium . The harder the water, the higher the amount of these minerals it contains.
There is usually no problem in drinking tap water. In fact, it can provide our body with the nutrients it needs. Because calcium and magnesium are things our body needs. Calcium builds strong bones and teeth, and also helps the heart, muscles, and nerves function. Magnesium is also an important element that helps the body produce energy and helps muscles and nerves function.
However, although this water is good to drink, it is not so good for the appliances we use in our homes, our skin, and our hair. Just think, have you seen that white powdery layer that builds up around the taps, in the basins, and in the buckets in our bathrooms? One reason for that is this hard water.
Hard water can cause limescale to build up inside pipes and water-using appliances, reducing water pressure, damaging appliances, and causing clothes to shrink when washed.
Also, this water is harsh on our skin. It can dry out the skin and weaken the skin's natural protective barrier . For people with skin conditions like eczema, using hard water can worsen those conditions.
How does tap water affect hair?
Just as tap water dries out the skin, it does the same to our hair.
Our hair is made up of layers of cells that are stacked on top of each other, like the scales of a fish. Hair looks smooth and shiny when these cuticles are nicely flattened.
However, when minerals like calcium and magnesium in tap water are deposited in the hair shaft, the cells that should be flat start to bulge out. Then the hair becomes very coarse , tangles easily, and is more likely to break .
Soft water is a completely different type of water . It does not contain as much calcium and magnesium as hard water. When you wash your hair with soft water, the minerals that have accumulated in the hair shaft are washed away, leaving your hair smooth and shiny.
Is your hair affected by hard water? Check out these signs
Hard water can have various effects on your hair. Check out the table below to see if you have any of these symptoms.
| Effect / characteristic | What is happening? |
|---|---|
| Coarseness of hair | Due to mineral deposits, the hair shaft loses its smoothness and feels rough to the touch. |
| Dry and lifeless hair | It sucks the natural moisture from the hair, making the hair look dry and straw-like. |
| Buildup on the scalp and hair | Shampoo and conditioner don't rinse properly, but combine with minerals and form a layer on the scalp and hair. |
| Hair color change | Especially if the color of dyed hair fades quickly or changes color. |
| Increased hair loss | Increased risk of hair loss due to increased hair breakage and damage to the hair follicles on the scalp. |
| Itchy scalp/allergies | The buildup of mineral salts can cause dry, itchy, or allergic skin. |
How to protect hair from Katina water?
Okay, now we understand the problem. Now let's see what this can do.
1. Use a Hard Water Shampoo (a shampoo specifically for hard water)
This is the best and closest solution. These shampoos are also called Clarifying shampoos . They contain special chemicals. They are called Chelating Agents .
Simply put, these Chelating Agents are like magnets. They grab the minerals that are deposited in the hair shaft and wash them away with water.
One of the most common chelating agents found in shampoos like this is EDTA (ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid) . If you buy a bottle of shampoo and read the ingredients, you'll find this name.
But remember! These shampoos are a bit harsh. So it's best to use them about once a week . Using them every day can dry out your hair even more.
2. Use filtered water for the final rinse.
It can be difficult for everyone to find a special shampoo. This is the simplest thing that can be done for such people. You should shampoo your hair as usual, apply conditioner, and wash it. Then, finally, rinse your hair thoroughly with filtered water or boiled water taken in a separate container. This can reduce the amount of minerals that are stuck in the hair.
3. Use a good conditioner and treatment
Using a good conditioner is essential to reduce the damage and dryness caused by hard water. In particular, using a leave-in conditioner or a deep conditioner treatment once a week can help restore lost moisture to your hair. It is best to choose products that contain natural oils such as coconut oil and argan oil.
4. Install a Water Softener or Showerhead Filter
Although this is a bit impractical for us in Sri Lanka, it is worth knowing. There are devices called Water Softeners that are installed in the water line coming into the house. They filter and remove the minerals in the water. Also, there are Showerhead Filters that can be installed in the shower in the bathroom. These can reduce the amount of minerals in the water coming from the shower.
Take-Home Message
- If your hair is always rough, dry, and lifeless, the cause may be the hardness of the water you use.
- Mineral salts such as calcium and magnesium contained in tap water can damage the hair if they are deposited in the hair.
- As a solution, you can use a special shampoo that removes mineral salts (Clarifying/Chelating Shampoo) about once a week.
- As a simple solution, rinse your hair with filtered water at the end after washing it.
- It is also very important to use a conditioner and treatment that provides good moisture to the hair.
- If none of these things solve your problem, especially if you have an itchy scalp or other skin problems, it's best to see your doctor for advice.
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