Dealing with Hard Water

Is hard water bad for your hair? The answer is YES!

WHAT IS HARD WATER?

Let's start with the basics - what exactly is hard water? It's a term used to describe water that's full of minerals. The problem is that when we wash our hair in hard water, these minerals build up and harden inside our hair causing some damaging effects to our hair and scalp.

THE EFFECTS OF HARD WATER ON HAIR

Hard water has been proven to make your hair thinner...yes, really! A study conducted in 2016 proved that washing hair in hard water dramatically decreased hair thickness whilst also damaging hair! Other effects of hard water on hair include breakage, tangling, dry scalp, dullness, brassiness and frizziness.

Whilst hard water ultimately comes down to where you live, there are ways to deal with it that don't include moving or getting a new whole shower filter! The easiest way to deal with hard water is switching up you hair care routine so you can keep with those #HairGoals!

USE A CLARIFYING SHAMPOO

Firstly, everyone should be using a clarifying shampoo. And if you're dealing with hard water, this should be an essential part of your haircare routine!

A clarifying shampoo works by removing the mineral build up on your hair, as well as eliminating any prodcut build up. This ultimately leaves your hair super clean and shiny! Think of a clarifying shampoo as a really deep clean for your hair that strips it back to it's natural state. And whilst it's not a good idea to deep clean your hair every time you wash it, we would recommend between 1-2 times per month, depending on the severity of your hard water.

One of our ultimate fave clarifying shampoos is Solu from the sustainable haircare brand, Davines, check it out HERE!

This is an ultra gentle clarifying shampoo that gets rid of mineral and product on your hair without leaving it feeling stripped and dry. It's gentle enough to use once a week as it cares for your hair whilst it cleanses. The packaging is also 100% recyclable making it kind for your hair and the planet!

TRY A SCALP RINSE

Healthy hair starts at the scalp. And when the scalp is full of mineral build up from your hard water situ at home, we're not giving our hair a chance to become happy and healthy. Using an acidic scalp rinse will strip the scalp of any product and mineral build up, allowing your hair to start absorbing moisture again so it can begin the repair process.

Our go-to scalp rinse, is the R&Co Acid Wash Apple Cider Vinegar Cleansing Rinse. This product works by stripping your scalp down to its natural state without removing oils or colour. It contains apple fruit extract which works as a natural exfoliant on the scalp whilst soothing the scalp and also strengthening the hair. The apple cider vinegar in the rinse helps rebalance the pH levels on your scalp. Maintaining a healthy pH balance can prevent unwanted breakage, help lock in moisture and help your hair better absorb the ingredients in hair care!

Whilst a scalp rinse can work miracles for the scalp, it can often dry out the hair. We would always recommend following up any scalp rinse with a hydrating and moisturising mask!

DO A HAIR MASK

Hard water can SERIOUSLY dry out your hair due to the high content of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. This produces a film on the hair, making it extremely difficult for any moisture to penetrate. As a result, hair is left dry and more prone to breakage. AND, if left untreated, this could lead to hair loss....umm no thanks!

The solution is a good hair mask. Using a highly moisturising and reparative hair mask will allow moisture to deeply penetrate the hair follicles preventing dryness and breakage.

One of our all time favourite hair masks is the Olaplex No.8 Intense Moisture Mask. Powered by Olaplex's patented bonding technology, this hair mask works on ALL hair types to strengthen and repair hair bonds whilst preventing any future hair damage. We recommend using this mask once per week for the ultimate soft, smooth and healthy hair!

Another hair mask we LOVE is the Davines OI Hair Butter! This mask is high in an ingredient called roucou oil. This oil contains ellagic acid which is known to be a potent neutralizer of free radicals whilst also providing an anti-aging effect to hair. As a result, hair is left with noticable shine and softness after just one use! It also smells pretty dreamy….actually the whole Davines OI range does!

IF ALL ELSE FAILS, BUY A SHOWER HEAD SOFTENER

Whilst at least one of these solutions will SERIOUSLY help your hair from the damage hard water can have on your scalp and hair. If worse comes to worst, invest in a good softener for your shower head which will help get rid of the last of any mineral build up in your water!

REMEMBER, whether you're suffering with hard water or not, using a clarifying shampoo, scalp rinse and a good conditioning hair mask should always be a part of your haircare routine to ensure happy, healthy and strong hair!