Before we go through the details of how to fix hard water damage, we should first understand what exactly is hard water. Water hardness is the amount of calcium and magnesium deposits in the water.
If you notice that your hands have some type of film after washing, then you probably have hard water on your taps. As for our hair, hard water can cause dry and coarse hair because the high amount of minerals prevents moisture from locking in on your mane.
While hard water is safe to drink and does not necessarily impose a serious health issue on any human, it can be a problem for maintaining our hair neat and bouncy.
Don’t worry, we will help you figure out how to manage and fix hard water damage. If you’ve already been bothered about this problem, read more of the recommendations and solutions for your hard water problem!
What is the Effect of Hard Water on Hair?
There are a lot of effects that hard water can cause on your hair and here are some of the most common effects that you might have been encountering already.
Shampoo Won’t Work Effectively
Hard water can make your shampoo not work as effectively as you want it to be. It is because of the extra amount of minerals in the water which prevents your shampoo from efficiently trapping the dirt and residue on your hair that should have been washed away.
Long Term Thinning and Hair Strand Breakage
Because of the ineffective cleaning of your scalp and the mineral buildup can lead to breakage and damage. If you have been bathing with hard water for long periods of time, you might probably notice that your hair strands tend to break easily and less hair grows.
Color Fades Faster
If you love dyeing your hair with vibrant colors like Korean Hair Dyes, and the colors die out faster than usual, then hard water might be the culprit. Because of the extra minerals present in the water you bathe your hair with, your hair might turn brassy and dull-looking.
But that can be prevented by using some clarifying treatments at your favorite salon. These treatments can be applied before you bleach and dye your hair so it would last longer and prevent premature fading.
Dry and Itchy Scalp
The buildup of calcium and magnesium on your scalp creates a film that leaves you with a fimly feeling on your hair. Over time, you might experience having dandruff, and itchy spots on your scalp.
For people who tend to excrete excessive oils on their hair, frequent washing can be a solution. On the other hand, if you have been washing your hair with the same hard water, it can just make the problem worse. The mineral build-up can cause more dryness and itching, especially for people with psoriasis and eczema.
Wasted Products and Money
Most people spend money on hair treatments and expensive shampoos and conditioners. But did you know that all the bucks that you have been spending on your hair if you have been bathing in hard water.
Even the most expensive shampoos cannot work well if your mane is filled with calcium and magnesium buildup. If you’re already losing hope reading all of these, don’t worry because we also have great solutions for you!
How to Repair Hard Water Damaged Hair?
Your hard water damaged hair can be treated and you can definitely bring them back to life using these techniques:
Use a Clarifying Shampoo
Clarifying shampoos can bring your dull hair back to life, according to hair experts. This type of shampoo can remove the mineral build-up on your hair. The best thing about this product is that it doesn’t just remove minerals, but also other hair product residues from gels, mousses, and hair sprays.
You can try using the Neutrogena Anti-Residue Clarifying Shampoo, and it promises to remove 90% of the build-up on your scalp. This shampoo is also non-irritating, perfect to be used for people with sensitive scalp.
Get it now here.for only $5.29
Install a Water Softener
Replacing your regular shower head might not be the cheapest option, but it can actually save you a lot of money in the long run. Water softening shower heads like the PureAction Water Softener filters out the chlorine, fluoride, and minerals before the water even touches your skin.
It can also filter 99.9% of calcium, magnesium, and other minerals that can cause damage to your hair. People with eczema can also benefit from using a water softener installed in their showers because hard minerals tend to make the skin itchy and patchy.
Use Malibu Treatment
Malibu Treatment is one of the most popular treatments that frequent swimmers use because chlorine-treated water tends to damage their manes. Malibu Treatments can give you a variety of options depending on what type of damage you want to treat.
Malibu Hard Water Treatment can be helpful in treating your hard water damaged hair. You can have this treatment at home, or you can also have a professional do it for you. This treatment can instantly remove discoloration, dryness, and hard water damage in just one application.
Do a Vinegar Rinse
Vinegar can be very helpful in removing fungus on your scalp and also in neutralizing the hard water minerals that have accumulated on your scalp.
Here’s a quick recipe that you can use to apply on your scalp and hair:
- ÂĽ cup of apple cider vinegar
- A dash of lemon or any citrus fruits
- A few drops of lavender oil
- A glass of water
Mix all of these ingredients together and put them inside a spray bottle. After shampooing your hair, spray some of this mixture and leave it on for 15 minutes, then rinse.
Use Hair Masks
Hair masks restores the moisture and hydration of your hair and locks it in. When you’re using a hair mask, make sure to massage the mask on your hair to ensure that the hydrating ingredients are fully absorbed by your hair.
If you don’t have a hair mask available, you can also resort to using leave-in conditioners. You can try using a low pH leave-in conditioner because it can close the cuticles down and ensure that your hair is fully moisturized after the application.
Try using this best-selling conditioner and mask, the Hydrating Argan Oil Hair Mask and Deep Conditioner. This professional salon treatment can transform your hair in just one application. The coarse texture, weak, and damaged hair can be turned into soft, vibrant, and healthy!
Using this product continuously can help you revive your dull hair that is damaged by hard water. It is also highly effective for permed, natural, and curly hair.
How to know if water is hard?
One important thing to remember is that you cannot tell by just looking whether water is hard or soft. But here are some techniques to know if your water at home is hard or soft.
- Film on your hands: You would notice that there is a white film on your hand when washing. This is because of the soap reacting with the calcium content of the hard water that you are washing your hands with. You might also have to wash your hands longer than usual with hard water.
- Spots: One of the most common signs that you have hard water at home is the whte spots that you would see on glasses and plates from your dishwasher. These are the calcium carbonate residues that tend to stain your silverware.
- Mineral Stains: Aside from silverware, your clothes can also be affected by hard water washing. You would see some white stains on your colored clothes after you wash them on your washing machine.
- Less water pressure: The calcium deposits can clog your water pipes at home and in return, you would notice less water pressure coming from your faucets and even the toilets.
Are there any health risks associated with hard water?
To make you less worried about having hard water at home, I want to let you know that there are no adverse health effects of using hard water. Whether you’re drinking it or washing your body and hair with it, you don’t need to worry about getting sick.
The only thing that you have to consider is that hard water can mostly affect your hair and skin and it leaves them dry and scaly. In addition to that, hard water can increase your chances of weakening your skin. Thus, bacteria and other skin infections can be a bother especially for people who have sensitive skin.
Aside from all of these, there are no other reasons why you should be worried about using hard water. The best you can do is to manage it through the techniques and recommendations that we have discussed above.
You can still make your hair healthy and shiny by just following all our recommendations above. Live happily with your healthy hair and feel more confident about yourself!
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