Hard water and hair fall 

Is your hair thick and luscious or getting thin with every passing day? It could be because of hard water. Hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium which makes it difficult for the shampoos, conditioners and soaps to lather up. Thus, they don’t clean the scalp properly and this could lead to hair fall.

Water is most necessary for our daily life. Water is important for our skin and hair too. But the water which we use for every purpose, whether it is drinking or any other purpose, should be pure. 

Hard water contains dissolved substances that give it a high pH, which makes it difficult to be absorbed by the skin. Hardness (also called total dissolved solids) is usually caused by calcium and magnesium in water.

The dissolved calcium and magnesium make the water less likely to dissolve soap and more difficult to be absorbed into the skin which in turn can lead to hair fall, skin problems, dryness etc.

You may also experience some other side effects of washing your hair in hard water:

• Thinning
• Tangles
• Brassiness or green hue
• Itching
• Pain in the roots of the hair

How to Identify Hard Water?

To diagnose hard water in your home, you could test your water using a kit from the market or an online store. You can also look out for these signs:

• Hard water reacts with soap to form soap scum, so you will feel a film on your hands after washing them with soap.
• You will also have to wash your hands for a longer time to remove the soap residues if the water is hard.
• Minerals in hard water clog the pipes, which can shrink the interior diameter of the pipes. This can lead to reduced water flow.
• Hard water can leave spots on glasses and silverware because of calcium carbonate deposit.

Signs that Hard Water is the Reason for Your Hair Fall

• Your Shampoo does not form a lather: This is one of the easiest signs to identify. Hard water does not let the shampoo form a lather on our hair because minerals in hard water negatively interact with the components of shampoo.
• Your hair has become dry and frizzy: Hard water removes all the natural oils from your scalp which makes your hair dry and brittle. It does not allow moisture to penetrate your hair follicles. Dry hair makes your hair prone to breakage and tangles, ultimately causing hair thinning.

How to Treat Damaged Hair Caused by Hard Water?

Follow these simple techniques to revive your damaged hair.

Installing a Water Softener

Soft water contains few minerals as compared to hard water but acts as a perfect cleanser. So, if you are willing to spend some extra pennies on your hair, then a water softener is one of the best methods to purify hard water.

Using an SLS-free Shampoo

Sulfates, the cleansing agents that are found in shampoo are harsh for your hair and scalp. Sulfates strip the natural oil from our scalp which could cause scalp infections and hair thinning. Therefore, it is always recommended to use SLS-free shampoos to protect your beard and the skin beneath it.

Rinse Your Hair Using Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has acid properties that can remove the layers of minerals build-up from previous showers with hard water. 

Add one tablespoon of vinegar to 3 cups of water and apply it liberally all over your scalp after shampooing.

Leave it on for 5 minutes and then rinse it off. This remedy can cure the damage caused by hard water if applied every once a week. It can also prevent the natural colour of your hair from fading.

Aloe Vera for Treating Damage Caused by Hard Water

Aloe vera has anti-inflammation properties that can restore the strength of your hair. Hard water makes your hair brittle and prone to breakage, so applying aloe vera juice will reverse the effects of hard water.

Just apply aloe vera juice directly to your scalp and leave it on for two hours before rinsing. Continue doing this every once a week to reduce hair thinning.

Try Out Some Effective Hair Packs

Hair packs can do wonders because usually, they are organic products. You can also make some simple hair packs at home with the use of readily available kitchen supplies.

How to Wash Your Hair in Hard Water?

Wet your hair thoroughly to increase the effectiveness of the shampoo. Apply a clarifying shampoo directly on wet hair and do not use the full amount of shampoo. You can always add more if needed. Add a few drops of water to it to make it lather well and cleanse your scalp properly.

Your hair is the most visible part of your body. Hence, it is always in need of proper upkeep. Taking good care of your hair helps keep it healthy, strong, and shiny.

Take Away 

Hard or high-mineral content water is present in many areas. It is a serious problem, which affects the quality of water and can cause many problems. Hardness in water is due to the presence of calcium and magnesium minerals, which can clog hair follicles, leading to hair fall.