5 Ways You Can Protect Your Hair From Hard Water

Chlorine, minerals, fluoride – they’re all found in water in different degrees, and they all have an effect on your skin and hair. Water with a high mineral content, usually calcium and magnesium, is what’s referred to as “hard water.”

You may have already seen hard water buildup on the end of a faucet or showerhead. It’s the white, crusty residue formed by deposits of minerals. Consider that if minerals such as calcium and magnesium can ruin showerheads or stain your faucets/sinks, imagine what they’re doing to your hair!

It’s difficult to understand how hard water affects your hair unless you’ve experienced a before and after, then it’s like a big hair revelation. The minerals in hard water build up and alter your hair’s texture. The effects are dry, dull, and shineless hair, and can even give it a “stiff” feeling. The minerals weigh down your strands, taking away the soft, fluffy feeling you should have after a wash.

So, if your hair is suffering from hard water, you may have dull, dry, and tangle-prone hair. Here are 5 ways you can save your hair from hard water and remove mineral buildup.

How you can protect your hair from hard water:

Showerhead filter:
A showerhead attachment that filters your water is a good investment if the water in your area runs hard. Not only will it save your showerhead from clogged/crusty ducts, but it’ll soften any way that comes out of it – great for your hair and less drying for your skin.

Chelating shampoo:

Chelating shampoos are a bit different from clarifying shampoos. Clarifying shampoos will break down buildup and coating from various products (or even your other shampoos and conditioners) whereas chelating shampoo will bond to minerals and remove them from hair. Hairprint makes a very effective chelating shampoo, but remember that these shampoos will leave hair “squeaky clean,” so you’ll need to condition well afterwards.

Protect your hair from hard water with oil: You can keep minerals from depositing on your hair by oiling your hair prior to washing. WIth this method, you get the added benefit of softening your hair and protecting from drying sulfates.

Some good oils for hair:

• Dry Hair: sesame oil, avocado oil,or olive oil
• Normal Hair: coconut oil, almond oil, olive oil
• Oliy Hair: grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, and apricot kernel oil

You can run oil through your hair anywhere between 30 minutes or overnight before giving getting in the shower/bath.The difference in softness should be noticeable.

Vinegar or lemon water rinse
The acidic in a vinegar or lemon water rinses are known to help break down build up, but they can also help dissolve mineral build up. Adding two tablespoons to every 8oz of filtered water for a hair rinse is a good dilution, but you can add more if you feel your hair needs a stronger dilution.

Since vinegar or lemon rinses can be drying, don’t do them more than once a week.

Using filtered water

The last thing you can do is use a jug of filtered water to rinse your hair. This method is perhaps the most impractical, but it all depends on what you’re willing to do.This might be a good solution if you’re just visiting an area with hard water.

Because the water in Toronto is moderately hard, your hair could be suffering from hard water. Give these tips a try and you’ll notice your hair has more shine, less tangles, and an overall softer texture.