Hard water. What on Earth does that mean?! Water is soft right so how can it be hard?
Well, in this article we will explain what hard water is and why it could be the reason your hair and scalp feels dry and lacklustre.

What is hard water?

Hard water basically describes water that has a high concentration of minerals like calcium and magnesium in it. Certain areas have a higher concentration of these minerals depending mainly on how the water is processed and where it is sourced from. The minerals that can make water hard come from rocks and can dissolve in the water as it flows through them. The more minerals, the harder the water becomes. Hard water can affect your hair and skin as well as household appliances. If you have ever noticed the scaly residue on glassware after being in a dishwasher, then you have seen the effects of hard water.

These minerals can also leave a residue on your hair, making it feel dry and dull. Hard water from your shower head may also make it more difficult to create a good lather with shampoo. In this article we intend to share with you some practical ways you can combat hard water in order to keep your hair and skin looking and feeling their best 

Why is hard water bad for hair?

Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why hard water is bad for your hair -

Mineral Buildup: When hard water comes into contact with your hair, the minerals present in the water can form a residue on the hair shaft. This mineral buildup can make your hair feel dry, rough, and weighed down. It can also create a barrier that prevents moisture from penetrating the hair strands, leading to dryness and brittleness.

Dullness and Lack of Shine: Hard water can leave a layer of mineral deposits on your hair, making it appear dull and lacking shine. The minerals can create a film that coats the hair shaft, preventing light reflection and giving your hair a lacklustre appearance.

Dryness and Frizz: The mineral deposits from hard water can disrupt the natural pH balance of your hair and strip away its natural oils. This can result in dryness, frizz, and an overall rough texture. Dry hair is more prone to breakage, split ends, and tangles.

Colour Fading and Discolouration: If you have colour-treated hair, hard water can be particularly problematic. The minerals in hard water can strip away hair colour, causing it to fade faster and even alter the tone. Blondes may experience brassiness, while brunettes may notice a shift towards a reddish or orange hue.

Scalp Irritation: Hard water can also affect the health of your scalp. The mineral buildup on the scalp can clog the hair follicles and inhibit proper circulation, potentially leading to dryness, itchiness, and dandruff. A compromised scalp can further contribute to hair loss and hinder healthy hair growth.

In a nutshell, hard water can make it really difficult to maintain healthy, soft hair so understanding how you can counteract the effects of hard water will help you to be able to keep your hair looking and feeling nourished and vibrant.

 

How can I protect my hair from hard water?

The ultimate key to protecting your hair from hard water is to target the root of the problem… the water. You can do this by installing water filters to your home or by swapping your shower head for one that filters minerals out.

If that is not possible, or at least not for the time being, then you’ll want to regularly descale your hair and keep it hydrated with treatments.

Our ultimate scalp and hair detox mask is an ideal solution for this and something you can do every couple of weeks to really combat hard water and keep your hair in its best condition.

Ultimate hair and scalp detox treatment:

Step 1 - Apply En-Root Scalp oil directly to your scalp section by section using the nozzle applicator.

Step 2 - Massage the oil into the scalp for 3-5 mins. Use ‘Squishy’ scalp massager for an extra deep exfoliation and for boosting blood circulation to the scalp to nourish hair follicles.

Step 3 - Dampen down the mid lengths and ends of your hair using a water spray bottle

Step 4 - Pour Daily Calma or Heightened conditioner into the palm of your hand followed by 3-4 drops of En-Root Oil, mix together in your hands and then apply evenly to your hair.

Step 5 - Comb the mask through the hair using a wide toothed comb or a detangling brush, starting at the ends to remove knots.

Step 6 - Clip your hair up and wrap with a towel and then leave the detox treatment on your hair and scalp for 20 minutes minimum but ideally for several hours while you relax on the sofa, take a bath or do whatever you fancy in this time. The longer you can leave the detox treatment to penetrate and do its work, the better.

Step 7 - Thoroughly rinse the treatment with lukewarm water ensuring all the product is rinsed out and enjoy super soft and hydrated hair.

Can hard water cause hair loss?

Hard water can cause buildup on the scalp which can restrict blood flow and potentially interfere with hair growth quality so combat this by using En-Root Scalp Oil at least once a week to keep your scalp free from build up and impurities whilst boosting blood flow to the scalp and rebalancing moisture levels.

If you are worried about hair loss then the best course of action is to target hair growth from the inside out. Our Tender Love & Hair supplements are a hair growth targeted blend of vitamins, minerals, herbs and amino acids designed to promote stronger, healthier hair growth.

What shampoo is best for hard water?

A lot of the advice is to use clarifying shampoos or shampoos that are quite strong in order to combat hard water mineral buildup on hair however we recommend actually always using gentle shampoos for your hair so as not to strip your hair of its own natural oils and moisture.

This is why our approach is to use gentle shampoos and supplement this by using weekly scalp treatments and performing the ultimate hair and scalp detox treatment every couple of weeks as this combats hard water without stripping your hair or scalp of moisture.

In summary, like most things the best approach to tackling hard water on your hair is to take a combined one, incorporating scalp treatments and deep conditioning masks regularly in order to maintain your hairs vibrancy and counteract the harsh impact that mineral buildup can have on your hair.

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. You can email us at hello@wearecentred.com and join the conversation @wearecentred