Your hair + hard water.
While water is a fundamental part of our daily lives, not all water is created equal. In the UK, hard water is a common issue that extends beyond its impact on household appliances, and can even go as far as influencing the health, appearance, and manageability of your locks.
What is Hard Water?
Hard water is generally characterised by a high mineral content, primarily consisting of calcium and magnesium ions. These minerals are naturally present in the ground and can often find their way into water sources, affecting the quality of the water we use for daily activities like washing our hair.
Effects on Hair Texture:
Buildup of Minerals:
The minerals present in hard water can accumulate on the hair shaft over time, forming a mineral buildup. This buildup can make the hair feel coarse, rough, and more prone to tangling. As the minerals bond with the hair, they may also contribute to a lacklustre appearance.
Reduced Shine and Luster:
Hard water's mineral content can create a film on the hair, diminishing its natural shine and lustre. This is particularly noticeable in individuals with coloured or treated hair, as the minerals can interfere with the vibrancy and longevity of hair colour.
Effects on Scalp and Hair Health:
Dryness and Frizz:
The mineral deposits in hard water can strip the hair of its natural oils, leading to dryness and increased frizz. This can be especially challenging for individuals with already dry or curly hair types.
Scalp Irritation:
The mineral buildup may not only affect the hair but also the scalp. Some individuals may experience scalp irritation, itching, or flakiness due to the drying effects of hard water.
Impact on Hair Products:
The minerals in hard water can interact with the ingredients in hair care products, affecting their efficacy. Shampoos and conditioners may not lather as effectively, and their conditioning properties may be compromised, requiring individuals to use more product to achieve the desired results.
Managing the Impact of Hard Water:
Clarifying Shampoos:
Regular use of clarifying shampoos can help remove mineral buildup from the hair, restoring its natural texture and shine. These shampoos are formulated to break down and eliminate the residues left by hard water.
Deep Conditioning:
Deep conditioning treatments can replenish moisture and nourishment to dry and damaged hair. This is especially important for individuals living in areas with hard water, as it helps counteract the drying effects.
Water Softeners:
Installing a water softener in your home is a more permanent solution to the hard water problem. These devices work to reduce the mineral content in the water, providing softer water for daily use.
While hard water is a common issue in many regions of the UK, ensuring that your locks remain healthy, vibrant, and manageable despite the challenges it poses isn’t as difficult as you may think. If you want to go one step further, you can even invest in water filters that contain ingredients that heavy metals & chlorine in hard water bond with, creating new elements. Eg. Chlorine will shift into harmless chloride.
Here are some of our water filter recommendations:
For home use:
Hello Klean shower head
Hello Klean:
Hello Klean is a Dragons Den wonder that managed to rake up 3 offers. In short, it’s a water filtration system that uses FDA approved filtration ingredients that are formulated and clinically proven for hard water areas. All the Hello Klean products are dermatologist tested and safe for sensitive skin and scalps, and are formulated without sulphates, silicones, parabens, palm oil, mineral oil and other 1,600 banned ingredients by the EU. Hello Klean is safe for sensitive skin, and vegan approved with no animal testing. Even better, it's optimised for your skin & scalp pH.
Check it out here:
For professional use:
ECOHEADS shower head
ECOHEADS:
ECOHEADS redefines the salon experience, blending cutting-edge technology with eco-conscious design to offer revolutionary salon tools that prioritise both the client’s hair and the planet's well-being. Installing this spray nozzle in your salon basin will increase water pressure, reduce water & energy usage by up to 65%, introduce negative ions into the water stream to smooth the hair cuticle, and remove sediment, rust, and sand from rinsing onto your client’s strands.
Check it out here:
Happy washing :)