How Hard Water Affects Your Hair and Tips to Combat It

Hard water can cause dry, frizzy hair.

Have you noticed your hair feeling unusually dry and difficult to style lately? If you moved recently, hard water could be the cause. Even if you didn't move, a town's water supply can change, and the water can become hard.

What is Hard Water?

Hard water is water with high mineral content, primarily calcium and magnesium ions, often measured in grains per gallon (gpg) or parts per million (ppm). Levels above 7 gpg or 120 ppm are considered hard, with very hard water exceeding 10.5 gpg or 180 ppm. It's common in many areas, especially where groundwater passes through limestone or chalk deposits. Most towns in Massachusetts fall into the soft to moderately hard water range,

but even water that is considered Slightly Hard can negative affect your hair.

Here's a more detailed breakdown of water hardness ratings:

Effects of Hard Water on Hair

Hard water can significantly impact hair health and appearance due to its mineral content and interaction with hair care products:

1. Buildup and Residue: Calcium and magnesium ions bind to hair, forming a mineral film that coats the strands. This buildup can make hair feel rough, sticky, or weighed down.

2. Dryness and Brittleness: The mineral film prevents moisture from penetrating the hair shaft, leading to dryness, frizz, tangles, and breakage over time.

3. Dullness and Lack of Shine: The coating makes hair appear dull and lifeless.

4. Scalp Issues: Mineral deposits can clog hair follicles, leading to an itchy, flaky scalp or exacerbating conditions like dandruff or eczema.

5. Color Fading: Hard water can strip vibrancy from dyed hair, causing colors to fade faster or develop unwanted tones (e.g., brassy hues in blonde hair).

6. Reduced Lather and Product Efficacy: Hard water reduces the ability of shampoos and conditioners to lather and rinse cleanly, leaving residue that can make hair feel greasy or unclean even after washing it.

7. Tangled and Unmanageable Hair: The rough texture caused by mineral buildup can cause hair to tangle easily and make it difficult to style.

These effects are more noticeable if you frequently wet your hair. Particularly if you have curly, or chemically treated hair, which is already prone to dryness or damage.

Treatments for Hair Affected by Hard Water

Managing the effects of hard water on your hair involves removing mineral buildup, protecting hair from further damage, and addressing water quality. Here are effective treatments and strategies:

1. Clarifying Shampoos

• Purpose: Remove mineral buildup and residue from hair and scalp.

• How to Use: Use a clarifying shampoo 1–2 times per week, depending on hair type and water hardness. Follow with a moisturizing conditioner to restore hydration.

• Recommended Ingredients: Look for shampoos with chelating agents like EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), citric acid, or sodium gluconate, which bind to minerals and help rinse them away.

• Examples: Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Shampoo, Ion Hard Water Shampoo, or Ouidad Water Works Clarifying Shampoo.

• Caution: Overusing can strip natural oils, so balance with hydrating products.
  

2. Chelating/Demineralizing Hair Treatments

• Purpose: Deep-clean hair by removing stubborn mineral deposits, especially for severe buildup or before coloring hair.

• How to Use: Apply a chelating treatment (often salon-grade) once a month or as needed. These are stronger than clarifying shampoos and usually require rinsing with distilled or soft water for best results.

• Examples: Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Treatment or Joico K-Pak Clarifying Treatment.
  

3. Rinse with Filtered or Distilled Water

• Purpose: Minimize mineral exposure during washing.

• How to Use: Use a showerhead filter to remove minerals or rinse hair with distilled water as a final step after washing.

• Products: Showerhead filters like T3 Source Showerhead or Aquasana Shower Filter reduce mineral content at the source.
  

4. DIY Rinse Treatments

• Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) Rinse:

  • Mix 1–2 tablespoons of ACV with 1 cup of water.

  • Apply after shampooing, let sit for 1–3 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

  • ACV's acidity helps dissolve mineral buildup and smooth the hair cuticle.

• Frequency: Use 1–2 times per week to avoid over-drying.
  

5. Moisturizing and Protective Products

• Conditioners and Masks: Use hydrating conditioners or deep-conditioning masks with ingredients like shea butter, argan oil, or glycerin to combat dryness and restore softness.

• Leave-In Products: Apply leave-in conditioners or serums to seal the hair cuticle and protect against mineral adhesion.

• Examples: It's A 10 Miracle Hair Mask, Bokka Abyssinian & Kendi No Frizz Oil Serum,

  or Moroccanoil Treatment.
  

6. Pre-Wash Treatments

• Oil Pre-Treatment: Apply coconut or argan oil to dry hair before washing to create a barrier against mineral absorption.

• Pre-Rinse with Soft Water: Wet hair with bottled or filtered water before shampooing to reduce hard water exposure.
  

7. Professional Treatments

• Salon Clarifying Treatments: Salons offer deep-cleansing treatments to remove buildup and restore hair health.

• Scalp Treatments: Address scalp irritation with professional exfoliating or hydrating treatments.

• Keratin Treatments: Smooth the hair cuticle and protect against environmental damage.
  

Additional Tips

• Test Water Hardness: Use a water hardness test kit (available online or at hardware stores) to confirm the level of hardness in your water. This helps tailor your treatment approach.

• Adjust Washing Frequency: Over-washing with hard water can worsen buildup, so consider washing less frequently if possible.

• Protect Hair Outside the Shower: Wear a hat or use protective sprays when swimming in hard water pools, as chlorine can exacerbate mineral effects.

• Diet and Hydration: Support hair health with a balanced diet rich in biotin, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids, and stay hydrated to improve hair resilience.
  

Long-Term Considerations

• Hair Type Matters: Porous hair (e.g., curly, damaged, or color-treated) is more susceptible to mineral buildup, so tailor treatments to your hair's needs.

• Environmental Factors: Hard water effects may worsen in dry climates or with frequent heat styling, so incorporate protective measures like heat protectants.

• Consult Your Doctor or Dermatologist: If scalp issues persist or if your hair damage is severe, seek professional advice for targeted solutions.

  
  

Conclusion

If you have recently moved or plan to move for college or work, for example, if you move from Framingham (where the water is soft at 1.0 gpg or 16 ppm) to Worcester (where the water is slightly hard at 1.7 gpg or 29 ppm), can make a noticeable a difference in your hair's

dryness and texture. Try Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Treatment once a month, It’s a 10 Miracle Hair Mask 2 to 4 times per month, and Bokka Abyssinian & Kendi No Frizz Oil Serum as needed after shampooing. Your hair will look amazing again!