Have you just moved to a new place and noticed that you’re losing hair all of a sudden? Hard water can be the cause. In fact, it can ruin your skin, hair, and nails.
The effort required to keep good hair is rising. Significant hair loss is caused by various reasons, such as hard water, pollution, bad lifestyle choices, and food. We may undoubtedly be aware of the quality of the water we are using for our hair, even though we have no control over everything in our surrounding environment.
Our hair may suffer long-lasting consequences from harsh water. In addition to a tonne of dust and sand particles, it is injected with calcium, mineral salts, chlorine, and other chemicals. Despite the general recommendation to avoid using hard water to wash your hair, there are some situations where it is unavoidable, like if you have shifted to a new place where water is hard.
The one characteristic that unites all water across all nations, cities, and even individual buildings is its degree of hardness, which can be rather harmful. Therefore, what exactly is hard water, and how can you avoid its wrath?
The quantity of dissolved calcium and magnesium in the water is a simple measure of water hardness. Calcium and magnesium make up a major portion of the dissolved minerals in harsh water.
What impact does hard water have on hair?
It is challenging to lather with shampoo and soap while using hard water because it is so full of contaminants, including sand, metal traces, filth, and more. Salts that notably harden water are calcium carbonate and magnesium sulphate.
Harsh water is treated with chlorine and other chemical disinfectants to remove the salts and other impurities and make it suitable for human consumption. However, the final product still contains some residual chlorine and fluoride and is not entirely devoid of these mineral salts.
The minerals in this treated water interact with the soap and form salt when it is mixed with shampoo. The salt accumulation on your scalp and hair roots compromises the porous quality of your skin.
This residue forms a layer that prevents moisture from entering the scalp, making it unhygienic and prone to hair breakage.
How can you tell if the water is hard?
Water’s hardness or softness is typically impossible to determine by looking at it. The way water feels on objects in your dishwasher or washing machine can occasionally be a clue.
Hard water warning signs include:
1. Feeling a film after washing your hands:
The reaction between the soap and calcium results in the formation of soap scum. Perhaps you should wash your hands more thoroughly if the water is hard.
2. Spots
These could be visible on freshly cleaned cutlery and glasses. These are often calcium carbonate deposits.
3. A mineral stain
These are seen on clothing after it has been washed. Because hard water is so intense, clothes can wear out more quickly.
4. The water pressure in your home is lower
Mineral buildup in the pipes can result in a reduction in the interior diameter and a reduction in the amount of water flowing through them.
The symptoms of harsh water damage to the skin are:
- Clogged pores
- Irritation on the scalp
- Dryness and itchiness
- Dullness
The symptoms of harsh water damage to hair are:
- Dryness in the scalp
- Dullness
- Frizz and lifeless hair (even post-conditioner)
- Eczema of the scalp
- Dandruff
- Split ends
- Greying of hair
- Thinning and breakage of hair
How is it possible to completely avoid hash water?
Try these simple fixes for heavy water damage that will quickly restore your locks:
1. Water filters for shower heads
These filters are simple to locate at any local home improvement retailer, and installation is also not too difficult. You can also order them online. Shower head filters significantly reduce the amount of minerals and chlorine in your water, giving you an advantage over hard water.
2. Acidic Rinses Made Naturally
Mineral buildup can be reduced by using apple cider vinegar or lemon or lime juice. Three cups of purified bottled water should be combined with a spoonful of vinegar or citrus juice before running the mixture through wet hair. Five minutes later, thoroughly rinse it off.
Lemon’s acidic composition helps to remove buildup from your hair. One teaspoon of lemon juice and three cups of water are added. Apply this rinse after a hair wash. Wait a short while after massaging your scalp. A lemon rinse will make your hair shine more, and its antimicrobial properties will minimise dandruff caused by harsh water.
3. Use clarifying shampoos.
Use a clarifying shampoo once every few days to stop hair loss brought on by hard water. This will aid in clearing out any buildup on the scalp that might be obstructing the hair follicles. Consult a dermatologist for advice on effective clarifying shampoos and how to use them.
4. Apply conditioners and moisturising masks to your hair.
Once a week, use a moisturising leave-in conditioner or hair mask to counteract the drying effects of hard water.
Use hair care products that provide your hair with the correct amount of moisture because harsh water stops your hair from absorbing moisture. Buy a moisturising mask or leave-in conditioner with jojoba oil, argan oil, or almond oil from a trusted retailer. A leave-in conditioner will even out the surface and keep moisture inside. However, using these remedies won’t provide a permanent answer, but they will still protect your hair.
5. Use bottled water
Using distilled water to wash your hair is another simple preventative technique for hair loss brought on by hard water. You can use bottled water or filter water as excellent alternatives. Use shower or tap water filters to assist in removing salts from hard water.
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