Can Hard Water Cause Hair Loss? Signs And How To Treat 2024

Water plays an important part in our daily lives. We depend on it to stay hydrated and hygienic. However, not all water is equal. Hard water contains higher levels of calcium and magnesium.^[1] Much of the tap water^[1] in the United States is hard. Considering we use tap water to wash our hair, can hard water cause hair loss?

Many of us invest in hair care products to strengthen hair and improve its appearance. No evidence suggests that hard water can cause hair loss. But showering in hard water can lead to weaker hair. Find out more about the effects of hard water on the hair below and how to repair the damage.

What Is Hard Water?

Is hard water bad for your hair? We need to dive a bit deeper into hard water to find the answer to this question. All water comprises hydrogen and oxygen, but we don’t often use it in its pure form. 

Water differs depending on how much calcium and magnesium minerals it contains. Hard water contains higher levels of these minerals, whereas soft water features less.

Signs Of Hard Water On Hair

If you have hard tap water, you’re probably wondering what hard water does to your hair. Several telltale signs show you’re using water high in calcium and magnesium minerals to wash your locks. The key signs of hard water hair include dryness, residue, dullness, and roughness. Let’s dive into these signs a bit deeper below:

Dryness

One of the main signs of hard water on hair is dryness. Research in this area remains lacking. However, some hairstylists believe dry hair occurs as minerals form a cast around hair strands. They believe this hard barrier prevents moisture from getting into the hair, causing it to become excessively dry. 

Residue

Hard water on hair leaves behind a visible residue.^[2] High levels of magnesium and calcium buildup on hair strands. Not only is this annoying, but it can cause hair to appear greasy and heavy. This stubborn residue is difficult to remove, even with regular shampoo applications. It can also interfere when trying to style your hair with products.

Dullness

Hard water and hair are a bad match. Exposing hair to hard water regularly can lead to a dull appearance. Many hair products work by adding volume and shine. Dull hair, in comparison, looks coarse, frizzy, and heavy. It can develop for a variety of reasons, including hair strand weakness.^[3]

Roughness

Research shows that hard water treatment for hair results in a rough and ruffled appearance.^[2] Rough hair poses a challenge to hairstylists. It lacks smoothness and softness and easily becomes frizzy and tangled. Avoiding hard water can help people combat hair roughness without expensive products and treatments.

Effects Of Hard Water On Hair

If you’re concerned about hard water hair loss, you’ll be pleased to know that research doesn’t support this claim. However, the effects of hard water on hair aren’t exactly desirable. Hard water effects on hair include decreased thickness and weakened hair. Find out more about how hard water impacts hair:

Decreased thickness

Many people see hair thickness as a sign of healthy hair. While it doesn’t guarantee good hair health, it certainly looks good. Research shows that hard water hair treatment decreases the thickness of the hair surface. Frequently washing hair with hard water could lead to mineral build-up, hair dryness, and hair thinning, impacting the overall appearance of your locks.

Weakened hair

The effects of hard water on your hair won’t stop at decreased thickness. Hard water also compromises the strength of hair^[4] and can make hair brittle. Considering our hair goes through a lot in a single day, including washing, tying, and curling, strength is important. While hard water doesn’t influence hair growth, reduced strength increases the chances of hair breakage.

How To Repair Damaged Hair From Hard Water

Are you experiencing the signs of hard water hair damage? If so, you don’t need to worry. You can start a hair treatment regimen to restore your hair to its former glory. Plenty of products are available to help you strip mineral deposits from using hard water on your hair. A clarifying shampoo can be just what you need to restore your hair to its naturally soft texture.

Other hair care options, such as hair masks, will help you to maintain overall healthy-looking hair.

Chelating Shampoos

Also called detox shampoos, they can help to remove the mineral buildup caused by hard water. These products contain ingredients that break down and dissolve minerals. Hard water causes a buildup of minerals on hair, giving it a dull and greasy appearance. A chelating shampoo, also known as a clarifying shampoo, can help to send these clinging minerals packing and stimulate hair growth.

The result? Resorted natural texture and shine.

Deep Conditioning Treatments

Conditioning the hair helps to protect it, reduce frizz, and increase smoothness and shine. Deep conditioning treatments take things one step further. These products contain rich ingredients that penetrate the hair, targeting dryness and creating a protective barrier. 

Deep conditioning treatments are particularly beneficial because hard water can dry out hair. Products often contain an assortment of ingredients, including fruits and other botanicals.

Hair Masks

The hair masks help to fortify hair strands. They contain natural oils, proteins, vitamins, and moisturizers. These products are intentionally formulated to protect the hair against different forms of damage. As you’re now aware, hard water weakens hair.^[5] 

Applying hair masks as part of your hair care routine will expose your hair to a long list of natural ingredients. Apply these products after washing and lightly towel-drying your hair. Leave them in for up to 5 minutes and rinse thoroughly.

Tips For Washing Hair In Hard Water Safely

Not everybody has to wash their hair in hard water. Depending on their location, some houses are supplied with soft water.

However, many households must put up with hard water flowing through their faucet. Instead of taking drastic measures such as moving, there are steps you can take to wash your hair safely. These techniques involve installing water softeners and using shower caps when necessary. Learn more about them below.

Use A Water Softener

Even if you have hard water coming through your tap, you don’t have to keep it that way. Installing a water softener can convert your hard water into soft. 

These devices remove high levels of calcium and magnesium^[6] minerals from water. They are fitted into the main water inlet pipe of a household. Here, they capture minerals before the water passes through your tap and shower head.

Use A Shower Filter

If you don’t want to fit a larger water softener, you can simply filter your shower water to prevent hair damage. Water softener shower filters work in the same way as large domestic models. 

However, they remove minerals right in your bathroom instead. These devices block excess minerals from ending up covering your hair strands. Simply install a water softener in your shower and replace it according to the product instructions.

Apply Lemon Or Lime Juice

When showering with hard water, diluting your shampoo is a simple but effective measure you can take. Take your shower as normal, shampooing and rinsing. Afterward, run some lime, lemon juice, or apple cider vinegar rinse through your hair. These acidic fruits contain a chemical commonly found in chelating shampoos. 

Next, use distilled water to rinse your hair if possible. This type of water contains no minerals and won’t leave any residue behind.

Use Leave-In Conditioners

Showering with hard water causes rough hair. Consider applying a leave-in conditioner to replenish moisture within brittle hair strands after showering. These products also lubricate hair for a time. This helps to manage hair that otherwise feels difficult to style after showing with hard water.

Use A Shower Cap

Many people shower every day but only wash their hair several times each week. Consider using a shower cap when you don’t want to wash your hair. 

This will help to prevent getting water on your hair. If you have hard water running through your tap, this will protect your hair against mineral exposure when not washing your hair.

The Bottom Line

Many households have a hard water supply. High levels of minerals in hard water can cause several hair problems. No evidence suggests that hard water can cause hair loss. However, it can cause build-up in the hair, causing a greasy and dull appearance. Studies show hard water can weaken hair and increase the risk of hair breaking.

Fortunately, there are many ways to tackle this issue. Water softeners filter out minerals such as calcium carbonate, and chelating shampoos prevent them from leaving residue in the hair. Shower caps also provide physical protection from hard water.

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