From dullness and color changes to hair loss, hard water is not your hairs friend.
People Images/Getty Images
The hard truth is that hard water hair damage is more common than you think.
What Is Hard Water and Why Is it a Problem for Hair?
Photo:People Images/Getty Images
Hard water also makes haircare efforts less effective, according to colorist Tiffanie Richards.
Signs of Hard Water on Hair
How to know ifyourhair suffers from hard water damage?
Firstly, listen to your hair and pay attention to any abnormal issues, starting with changing hair color.
Blonde hair can start appearing anywhere from green-toned to brassy or metallic.
Hard water can make your hair feel very dry with a waxy buildup.
This means that hard water is present.
Can Hard Water Cause Hair Loss?
Mineral buildup can also weigh down hair at the scalp, giving the impression of flatter, thinner hair.
Here are suggestions for navigating your hair on the road to repair.
Use a Clarifying Shampoo
Changing up your shampoo formulation is an easy place to start.
Because apple cider vinegar is highly acidic, it’s not for everyday use.
Nevertheless, it’s an effective clarifying treatment to useoccasionally, every 2 to 4 weeks at most.
Afterward, a final rinse is all you need.
Richards recommends Redken Pre Art Clarifying Treatment, a professional in-salon treatment that goes on clear.
A brightening color refresh can also counteract dullness because of hard-water minerals.
A chilly finale seals your cuticlesclosing them off to harmful mineralsto give your hair a bit of extra shine.
When it comes to a final rinse after shampooing, use filtered water instead of the shower head.
At all other times in the shower, wear a shower cap to avoid incidental exposure to hard water.
Invest in a Shower Filter
Consider investing in agood shower filterthat removes contaminants and minerals.
Old showerheads can be lined with limescale, adding even more minerals to your hair and skin.
2016 Sep 15;11(9):e0161749.
Erratum in: PLoS One.
2018 Aug 2;13(8):e0201978.
PMID: 27631616; PMCID: PMC5025014.
Shevchuk NA.Adapted cold shower as a potential treatment for depression.
2008;70(5):995-1001. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2007.04.052.
Epub 2007 Nov 13.
