You’ve seen the commercials. Photos of damaged hair, as well as hair that seems to have a mind of its own. From dry ends to excessive frizz, maintaining healthy hair is a full-time job. Although we blame lousy hair days on several factors, one factor often escapes our attention. It’s called hard water, and it, too, can damage your hair.
Treating Hard Water Hair
The softness or the hardness of your home’s water directly impacts how the water treats your hair. Not sure if you have hard water? Our state-of-the-art water testing laboratory can check your water for mineral buildup and contaminants that can make your water hard. Mineral deposit buildup produces hard water, making it challenging to create a thick lather when you use a shampoo or a conditioner. If you detect the lack of suds that define thick lather, you might have a hard water problem.
Hard water turns healthy hair into hair that feels like dry straw. This is because excess minerals present in your water combine with your shampoo to form a thick substance that sticks to your hair, similar to soap scum that sticks to your shower walls.
Your initial reaction might be to wash your hair more often to remove the soapy residue from your hair. However, the more you shampoo your hair with hard water, the less moisture enters the scalp and the base of hair strands. The result is dry and coarse hair.
You also might notice your hair has a harder time retaining its color. In this case, the minerals in hard water land on the hair shaft, which causes colored hair to turn a brassy tone. Frequent washing might also cause the color to fade faster.
If you struggle with the adverse effects of hard water, the good news is there are some solutions that can help you tame your hair. Keep reading to learn more!
Use a Clarifying Shampoo
One way to keep your hair looking great is to wash it occasionally with a clarifying shampoo. Clarifying shampoo is different than standard shampoo, as it penetrates the minerals in hard water, as well as the residue left behind from styling. Standard shampoo removes excess oil from your hair and scalp.
Please keep in mind clarifying shampoos are designed to strip your hair of stubborn residue and mineral buildup, which means the shampoo can be harsh on your hair if you use it too frequently. It is best to only use a clarifying shampoo one or two times per month.
Create a Vinegar Rinse
One DIY solution for protecting your hair against hard water is to use a vinegar rinse. Because vinegar is acidic, it removes the scaly buildup of minerals such as calcium and magnesium from your hair.
Distilled white vinegar works, but the preferred type for a vinegar-based rinse is apple cider vinegar. To create a vinegar rinse, combine one tablespoon of vinegar with three cups of water. Apply the mixture to your scalp after shampooing, and allow it to sit for a few minutes before rinsing. To retain the moisture in your hair, apply an apple cider vinegar rinse once per week.
Rinse with Bottled or Filtered Water
You can also rinse your hair with bottled water or filtered water at the end of your shower. While this does not offer a permanent solution to hard water, this can temporarily prevent hair damage.
While keeping bottles of water near your shower might seem inconvenient and costly over time, another more sustainable option is to use filtered water from a jug or a pitcher.
Invest in a Water Softener
While these are great temporary options for protecting your hair, the best option for long-lasting, continual results, is to invest in water treatment, such as a water softener.
Water softeners remove calcium and magnesium found your home’s water supply, leaving you with soft water and smooth, manageable hair. When you invest in a water softener, you will notice that you use less soap and fewer rinses. Soft water also balances your hair’s pH level, so you’re left with smooth hair after every wash. As a bonus, soft water can even reduce topical issues such as eczema flare-ups and dry skin.
If you’re tired of dull, lifeless, and unruly hair, don’t wait any longer for a permanent solution. Call Atlantic Blue Water Services today at 410-840-2583 for more information on installing a water softener that’s right for you.