The topic of the effects of hard water on hair has been around for the past years. Some of the most common questions ladies with curly hair usually ask to know about the effects of hard water on curls are: how does hard water affect my curly hair? Can hard water damage my hair? Does hard water cause hair loss? How can I protect my curly hair from effects of hard water? To find out more about the effects of hard water on your hair keep reading this article piece to find out more below:
So how does hard water affect your hair?
For starters hard water contains high levels of minerals such as calcium, iron and potassium which have been found to have negative effects on the health of human hair. Hair that has been exposed to hard water can easily be distinguished by seeing it look dull and feeling frizzled. The human hair is mostly composed of keratin but there are also small traces of minerals that can be found in the structure of hair. When your hair gets into contact with hard water for a long time you will realize that it will start to dry up, become brittle, dull, easily get entangled and frizzy. You may even start to switch the hair products that you usually use in an attempt to save your hair to no avail.
If you continue using hard water without your knowledge the result will be a buildup of matter on your scalp that looks almost similar to dandruff. If you are that lady with curls and you recently moved to a hard water area you will realize an abrupt change of your once healthy curls.
So why does hard water react with your hair?
Using shampoo and other hair products in hard water conditions usually causes a reaction with calcium that is present in the hard water, this causes a mineral buildup and a film formation. The final result of this on your curls will be frizz, detangling issues, dry scalp and hair and of course the alteration of a general appearance of your curls to your disappointment.
Hard water will also alter the chemicals that you use on your curly hair to help make them look cool and healthy. The result of this will be a change in the pH of your hair and its overall look. When the pH balance of your hair is interfered with, it means the oil present on your scalp will cease to exist causing even more issues. Basically healthy human hair is usually acidic with a pH of between 4.5 and 5.5, while the pH of water is usually neutral at 7. This means that normal water that is not hard basically doesn’t interfere with the pH of your hair. When the water is hard, what happens is that it disrupts the pH balance of the hair and the scalp thus leaving the hair and scalp vulnerable to fungi and bacteria. Mineral deposits from hard water on the hair and scalp usually open up the cuticle layers on the hair thus making them feel brittle, frizzy, dry and susceptible to easy breakage from friction.
Here are some steps you can take to protect your curls from the effects of hard water
1 . If you move to a new area test that water to know its hardness levels
There are a number of companies that offer to test the water source to your home for hardness. Better still if you don’t wish to use lots of cash, you can simply take a look at the bathtub, sinks, shower heads, faucets and even toilet bowls. If you see that these have some sort of stains on them, then the houses’ water supply is definitely hard.
2. If the test proves that your home’s water is hard install water softener
You can install water softener in your new home so that you only use soft water to clean your hair to avoid damaging your curls with hard water. Water softeners may cost you a big amount on its initial installation but will be advantageous to you in the long run.
3. Use chelating shampoos
These kinds of shampoos are those usually formulated for swimming ladies and they help to eliminate product buildup from the hair care products on the hair. Even if you use chelating shampoo to do away with the effects of hard water on your hair, ensure that perform deep conditioning treatment. This option is lengthy and you may not do it every single day so perhaps the best option to take is to install a water softener if it is a new home you have just bought in an area with hard water.
