Is hard water bad for your hair? The answer is YES!
What is hard water?
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 out hair in hard water, these minerals build up and harden inside our hair causing some damaging effects to our hair and scalp.
What are the effects of hard water on hair
Hard water contains minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. This produces a film on the hair, making it difficult for moisture to penetrate. As a result, the hair is left dry and prone to breakage, tangling, dry scalp, dullness, brassiness and frizziness. Leave these issues unresolved and it could even lead to hair loss.
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 your hair care routine.
How can you protect your hair from hard water?
- Shower Head Water Filters
- Clarifying Shampoos
- Scalp Cleansing scrub and wash
- Great home-care routine
Here are 5 signs of hard water on your hair…
- Dry Hair. The minerals leave a film on the hair and prevents moisture from getting in, leaving your hair dry
- Limp Locks. The minerals can build up and weigh your hair down making it limp and lifeless
- Itchy Scalp
- Thinner Hair
- Faded Colour
Can hard water permanently damage your hair?
Hard water does not cause permanent damage or hair loss, The effects can be rectified by using shower head filters or using products that help reverse its effects.
Use a Clarifying Shampoo
Firstly, everyone should be using a clarifying shampoo. If you’re dealing with hard water, this should be an essential part of your haircare routine!
Our ultimate favourite clarifying shampoo is our Kevin Murphy Maxi.Wash.
Get the best out of your hair care routine by starting with the must-have detox shampoo MAXI.WASH. Every haircare routine should start with this wonder product, a deep cleansing shampoo designed to detoxify, and remove product build up, which in turn helps your other hair care products to work their magic.
A deep cleansing shampoo to strip unwanted product residue and excess oil that can build up in your hair. Tropical fruit acids (AHA) and anti pollution agents deeply cleanse the hair. Sage extracts dissolve the fats and oils. A herbal blend of lime, mint and eucalyptus remove excess oil and stimulate sluggish and sensitive scalps.
Shop our ultimate Kevin Murphy Maxi.Wash clarifying shampoo here.
Try a Scalp Scrub and Wash
Healthy hair starts at the scalp. When the scalp is full of mineral build up from your hard water situation at home, we’re not giving our hair a chance to become happy and healthy.
Using a scalp scrub and wash will clear 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 scrub, followed by a scalp wash is our Kevin Murphy Scalp.Spa Scrub & Kevin Murphy Scalp.Spa Wash
Kevin Murphy SCALP.SPA SCRUB
Revive the scalp with this unique scalp scrub, designed to scrub away excess impurities that a regular shampoo misses.
Ideal for all hair types, including coloured, it uses a cleansing blend of perlite, a natural sphere that exfoliates the scalp whilst protecting it’s natural properties, micellar water, to remove build up and attract excess oil, and celery seed extract, which detoxes, regulates sebum production and reduces irritation.
Shop our Kevin Murphy Scalp.Spa Scrub here.
Kevin Murphy SCALP.SPA WASH
Soothe, cleanse, and nourish the scalp with this soothing wash, designed specifically to clean, balance and promote a healthy scalp.
Infused with micellar water, which gently attracts and dissolves impurities like excess oil, celery seed extract, known to detox the scalp, reduce irritation and regulate sebum production, and rose water, a calming conditioning property to soothe and protect the scalp. It also uses coconut oil which adds a moisture boost and protects the hair and scalp from dryness. Suitable for all hair types, including coloured, this scalp shampoo cleanses the hair without stripping it. Perfect for use after the scalp.spa scrub
Shop our Kevin Murphy Scalp.Spa Wash here.
We would always recommend following up any scalp scrub/wash with a hydrating and strengthening home-care routine.
Home-care
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.
The solution is a good home-care routine
We recommend Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate.
With in this range there is a Shampoo, Conditioner and a Leave in treatment
Redken Acid Bonding Concentrate Shampoo
Sulphate-free shampoo provides ultimate strength repair, intense conditioning and hair colour fade protection to damaged hair.
Featuring Citric Acid, this shampoo contains a concentrated bonding care complex that reinforces weakened bonds within your hair to improve hair strength. This pH-balancing shampoo is specifically formulated with an acidic pH to defend against the negative effects of hair colouring, styling tools, and even water. The result? Hair that looks and feels healthy!
Shop our Redken Acid Bonding Concentrate Shampoo here
Redken Acid Bonding Concentrate Conditioner
Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Sulphate-Free Conditioner is Redken’s most concentrated all-in-one formula for strength repair for all types of damaged hair. This ultra-rich and luxurious sulphate-free conditioner provides ultimate strength repair, intense conditioning and hair colour fade protection.
Shop our Redken Acid Bonding Concentrate Conditioner here
Redken Acid Bonding Concentrate Leave In Treatment
Redken Acidic Perfecting Concentrate Leave-In Treatment is our most concentrated all-in-one formula for strength repair for all types of damaged hair. This conditioning leave-in treatment provides ultimate strength repair, intense conditioning and hair colour fade protection.
Shop our Redken Acid Bonding Concentrate Leave in treatment here.
If all else fails, invest in a shower head water softener
Whilst at least one of these solutions will definitely 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 scrub/wash and a good home-care routine will ensure happy, healthy and strong hair!
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