Effects of Hard Water on Hair 

You may have heard people talking about hard and soft water, wondered what is the difference, and how that difference might impact your hair. Below we will look at what hard water is, the effects it can have on your hair, and what you can do about it. Hard water can cause hair loss, damaged hair, and more. Contact us at Watersmart if you have a hard water problem.

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Believe it or not, hard water can have serious effects on hair. Shampoo manufacturers often spread misleading information claiming that it is the shampoo or soap that is harsh, however, the real problem in most cases is the hard water. 

Hard water contains high levels of minerals, specifically magnesium and calcium. Read more about hard water vs. soft water here.Washing hair with hard water can cause a number of problems, such as:

• Hair loss
• Dry and damaged hair
• Eczema and scalp conditions
• Split ends
• Thinning of hair
• Breaking of hair

What is the Problem?

Hard water is water that has a high mineral count. The most harmful of the minerals for your hair are calcium and magnesium.  The hardness becomes greater as the mineral content increases.  The term originated from the difficulty to work with the water. You may have noticed that hard water requires much more soap, shampoo, or detergent than soft water. This is because the minerals decrease the soaps lathering capabilities. 

How Does It Effect My Hair? 

The minerals in the water can cause buildup and residue to be left behind in your hair after you wash. It can leave your hair feeling dry, limp, and even damaged as a result. Some people experience a dry, itchy scalp as well.  The problem is that the minerals and oxidizers in the water weaken the hair. Scientifically speaking, these minerals are positively charged, while our hair has a negative electrical charge. When they come in contact, they are attracted like a magnet. This results in weak, damaged hair and can even cause the hair to fall out.

Hard water can also affect hair color. Hard water can cause color-treated hair to wash out quickly, causing a need for more treatments and therefore damaging the hair. If you are someone who cares about having healthy hair this should concern you. 
 

What Do I Do About It? 

You can determine your actual water hardness level by looking at the maps of the Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, and Guelph regions provided here. 

A water softening system in your home could go a long way toward keeping your hair healthy. Hard water can be softened relatively easily by using specially designed water softeners.  Water softeners reduce the mineral content in your water straight from the tap, leaving you with soft water in your entire home. With softened water, you will notice that you require less shampoo and soap, and your hair will be healthier and fall out less. 

The professionals at WaterSmart can help you choose the most effective water softener for the level of hardness in your particular area. We have been servicing the KW region for more than two decades, so we understand the special requirements and settings necessary to ensure that your new water softener will function with maximum efficiency. Our customers have come to recognize us as a company who provides superior customer service combined with the highest quality products at the best prices. Contact the water softener specialists at WaterSmart today.

Sources: 

Chagrin Valley Soap and Salve 

What Hard Water Does to Hair