The quality of your water isn't something that is typically discussed when it comes to hair care, but it definitely plays a major role in the overall health of your hair.
In the Community, Under Fun Facts, I shared : "Shampooing your hair with hard water has a number of unpleasant effects.", and promised to deliver those effects.
So, here they are-- 6 Ways Hard Water Affects Your Hair.
First, let's define Hard Water:
Hard Water is water that has high levels of hard minerals such as magnesium and calcium. This type of water can leave a film over your hair making it harder for your hair to absorb moisture.
This ultimately makes your hair dry and more prone to breakage.
Prolonged usage of Hard Water can cause hair loss... ... we don't want hair loss.
Some cities that have the hardest water in the US are Sacramento(California), Chicago(Illinois), Los Angeles(California), Tampa(Florida), San Antonio and Austin(Texas), Phoenix(Arizona), Minneapolis( Minnesota), Las Vegas(Nevada), and Indianapolis(Indiana). These are just the cities with the higher levels of it. If your town uses well water, then you have hard water.
It is not recommended to use shampoo bars if you have hard water. The hard water can make it hard for the shampoo bar to lather and hard to rinse out. It can and will cause the shampoo bar to leave a film over your hair. That film can leave your hair feeling crunchy, waxy, and unclean. Instead, it is recommended you use a hard water specific shampoo and a clarifying shampoo.
Ways to Combat Hard Water
- Get a water filter for where ever it is that you primarily wash your hair. If you wash your hair in the shower, get a filtered shower head. If you wash your hair in the sink, get a water filter for the sink.
- Wash and rinse your hair with distilled water. Gallons of distilled water are sold for $1.09 at all major grocery stores.
- Use a clarifying shampoo a few times out of the month to break through build-up from the Hard Water.
- Once a month, do an Apple Cider Vinegar rinse to get rid of build-up, lower your scalp's pH, and treat dandruff and scalp irritation.
3 comments
I am excited to try your products, based on this fact alone. I know that we have hard water, and that my options to change that (right now) are sparse. So my best combatant is product choice.
I have well water and live in IN right next to Chicago, IL. I agree it’s super hard on the hair.
I’ve learned so much about my 4c hair from your website. THANK YOU!!!