The Effects of Hard Water On Our Hair and Effective Solutions
If you regularly experience dry, dull, or difficult to manage hair, hard water could be to blame!
This is especially likely if you have tried many other solutions for following problems with little to no change:
Flaky Scalp
Dry and Brittle Hair
Premature Color Fading
Brassy or Orange-y Tones (that you just can’t seem to kick)
Excessive Frizz
Split Ends + Breakage
Tangling
Hair loss or Increased Shedding
Overall Scalp Imbalance
What is hard water?
Put simply, hard water is water that has an abundance of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc to name a few.
If you’re located in Southeastern WI and other parts of the central midwest US it’s highly likely that you are washing with hard water!
So, how does the water we wash with affect our hair?
All human hair has a certain level of porosity, much like a sponge. When we wet our hair we create the perfect gateway for chemicals, minerals and more to travel to the inside of our hair strands.
Minerals can build up inside and on top of our hair over time, or even just after one wash. Have you ever washed your hair at a hotel and noticed a huge change, even though you may have brought your at home hair care along? This is the perfect example of how water alone can make all the difference.
When minerals from hard water enter or build up on hair, it can cause a host of problems that present differently for different people. In the salon, the most common problems we see are dull, brassy, brittle and extremely dry hair. Another common sign of mineral buildup is excessive tangling.
Thankfully, there are multiple solutions at our disposal to help combat the effects of mineral buildup on hair!
SHOWER HEAD FILTERS:
This is our favorite long term solution, especially when paired with a water softener if possible. Shower head filters can be purchased almost anywhere these days! Make sure you check to see what minerals are being removed before purchasing for the best results. We recommend searching for a filter with a carbon or KDF filtration system.
WATER SOFTENERS:
If you have a water softener, you’re ahead of the game! Water softeners remove a great deal of the minerals that can wreak havoc on hair. However, it’s important to remember that softeners do not remove all minerals, but greatly decrease their amount.
AT HOME CLARIFYING SHAMPOOS:
These products can greatly reduce the amount of mineral build up at home, especially if they are used regularly over time. It’s important to follow any clarifying or detoxifying shampoo with a conditioning treatment to replenish moisture right away. Our favorite: KM MAXI WASH, this detox wash is gentle enough for weekly use and helps to exfoliate mineral buildup without removing or fading color prematurely.
IN SALON DETOX TREATMENT:
At Adorn, we put detox treatments on our service menu for a reason! Sometimes it’s best to start with a professional grade clarifying treatment to remove as many minerals as possible. More often than not, we notice that our clients hair feels softer and looks brighter immediately afterwards!
Moving forward clients should invest in a detoxifying wash to use at home to maintain best results. Our detox treatment does not damage or dry hair! However, we recommend booking a service like this a few days before any other chemical services and never directly after a hair color appointment.
Ask your stylist about what solutions are best for you and your hair at your next appointment! Our specialists are always happy to help guide you in the direction of your dream hair.