The Impact of Hard Water on Your Hair: What You Need to Know

You may have noticed your hair feels different when travelling to a new place. It might be drier, rougher, or more prone to breakage than usual. The reason behind these changes could be the water you’re washing your hair with. In this blog, we will explore the effects of different types of water on your hair and share tips to keep your strands looking their best.

Hard water, found in many regions worldwide, contains high levels of minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron. While these minerals aren’t necessarily harmful to your hair, they can negatively impact your skin and hair. Over time, the buildup of these minerals can leave your hair feeling dry, brittle, and rough in texture.

What is Hard Water?

Hard water is simply water that contains a high concentration of minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium ions. Other metals, such as aluminium, barium, strontium, iron, and zinc, can also contribute to water hardness. In contrast, soft water has a lower concentration of these minerals, making it much gentler on your skin and hair.

How Does Hard Water Affect Your Hair?

Hard water can have several negative effects on your hair, and you may start noticing them after only a few washes. If you’ve ever travelled to a different area and noticed your hair feeling different after showering, it could be because the water there is harder than what you’re accustomed to. The increased mineral content in hard water can affect your hair in several ways:

Reduced Hair Strength & Increased Breakage: Hard water can weaken the hair shaft, ​​making it more prone to breakage.

Texture Changes: Hard water can also leave your hair feeling dry, stiff, and rough to the touch. It strips away the natural oils from the scalp, leading to a lack of moisture that makes hair more vulnerable to damage.

Differing Effects on Hair Types: Hard water affects different hair types in various ways. For example, virgin hair (hair that hasn't been chemically treated) and bleached hair show different responses to hard water. Virgin hair can become stiff and lose shine, while bleached hair can become dull, brassy, and more prone to breakage and colour fading.

Does Soft Water Affect Your Hair?

While soft water is generally much gentler on your hair than hard water, it’s not completely free of effects. If your hair has already been chemically damaged, soft water can still extract minerals, leading to stiffness and reduced strength. However, the impact of soft water is usually much less severe than that of hard water.

How to Protect Your Hair from Hard Water Damage

Luckily, there are several strategies you can use to protect your hair from the effects of hard water:

Install a Shower Head Filter: Swapping out your showerhead for one equipped with a filter designed for hard water is an easy and effective way to reduce mineral buildup. These filters remove some of the minerals responsible for damaging your hair, improving the water quality. Just remember to replace the filter regularly for optimal results.

Wash Your Hair with Lukewarm Water: Hot water can strip your hair of its natural oils, leaving it even more vulnerable to the drying effects of hard water. For healthier hair, always wash your hair with lukewarm water. This simple adjustment can help reduce the overall damage caused by both hard water and high temperatures.

Switch to a Decalcifying Hair Care System: To combat hard water buildup, use a decalcifying shampoo and conditioner formulated to detoxify your hair:

L’Oréal Professional Serie Expert Metal Detox

The L’Oréal Professional Serie Expert Metal Detox range was designed as an anti-metal cleansing range that detoxifies hair after any colour, balayage or lightening service. The range includes:

1. L’Oreal Professional Serie Expert Metal Detox Pre Shampoo Treatment
2. L’Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Metal Detox Shampoo
3. L’Oréal Professional Metal Detox Anti-Deposit Protector Mask
4. L’Oréal Professional Serie Expert Metal Detox Oil
5. L’Oréal Professional Serie Expert Metal Detox Leave in Cream

This patented technology with no sulfate is enriched with Glicoamine a chelating molecule small enough to penetrate and neutralise metal inside the fiber. Leaving your hair feeling healthy and recovering its shine. Learn more about the L’Oréal Professional Serie Expert Metal Detox range online.

Kérastase Premiere

The Kérastase Premiere For Damaged Hair range was designed to work together to repair damaged hair. The range includes:

1. Kérastase Premiere Pre Shampoo Concentre Decalcifiant Ultra-Reparateur
2. Kérastase Premiere Decalcifiant Reparateur Shampoo
3. Kérastase Premiere Filler Reparateur Hair Mask
4. Kérastase Premiere Filler Fondamental Hair Serum
5. Kérastase Premiere Huile Gloss Reparatrice

This range fights the problem of calcium buildup from hard water that leaves your hair dull, lifeless, and limp. Whilst also restoring broken links between keratin chains, and leaving your hair feeling smooth, manageable, shiny and in premier state. Learn more about the Kérastase Premiere For Damaged Hair range online.

Hard water can be a major factor in dry, and brittle hair. But with the right strategies and products, you can protect your hair from the damage it causes. Installing a showerhead filter, washing with lukewarm water, and using a decalcifying hair care system are all effective ways to reduce the negative effects of hard water and keep your hair healthy and strong. Discover our range of decalcifying hair care products specially designed to combat mineral buildup, and contact us for any further professional advice.

By addressing the water quality in your shower, you can make a significant difference in the health and appearance of your hair. Don’t let hard water be the invisible enemy standing in the way of your best hair!