Does hard water really harm your hair?
The "hardness" in the water is associated with the presence of metal cations, namely the calcium (Ca2 +) and magnesium (Mg2 +) ions. Water is recognized as "hard" when it includes significant values of these salts in its composition and "soft" when it contains them in small amounts. View here for more info: Best Shampoo for Hard Water
The waters coming from calcareous zones are harder than the seas coming from granite zones.
Hardness is divided into temporary hardness and permanent hardness. The first is generated by the presence of carbonates and bicarbonates and can be eliminated by boiling water. The second is due to chlorides, nitrates, and sulfates, which are not susceptible to boiling. The sum of the temporary and permanent hardness is called "Total Hardness" of the water.
How to detect if the water is hard?
The hard water does not dissolve the soap, detergent or shampoo well has an unpleasant taste, and promotes the deposition of limestone in the pipes, washing machines and dishes, steam irons, and sometimes in the taps and showers.
A hair risk?
Although the consumption of hard water does not present any risk to human health, on the contrary, the presence of calcium and magnesium are healthy elements protecting humans from some diseases. However, this type of water negatively affects hair!
Each strand of hair consists of countless cuticles as if they were cones on the trunk of a tree. The hard water tends to lift the skins, and the minerals present in this water create a kind of accumulation of "residues" around the cuticles that chase away hydration. What in the results in rough, dull hair, tangled, and dehydrated by more moisturizing products that are used. Hard water can also cause dandruff!
The waters coming from calcareous zones are harder than the seas coming from granite zones.
Hardness is divided into temporary hardness and permanent hardness. The first is generated by the presence of carbonates and bicarbonates and can be eliminated by boiling water. The second is due to chlorides, nitrates, and sulfates, which are not susceptible to boiling. The sum of the temporary and permanent hardness is called "Total Hardness" of the water.
How to detect if the water is hard?
The hard water does not dissolve the soap, detergent or shampoo well has an unpleasant taste, and promotes the deposition of limestone in the pipes, washing machines and dishes, steam irons, and sometimes in the taps and showers.
A hair risk?
Although the consumption of hard water does not present any risk to human health, on the contrary, the presence of calcium and magnesium are healthy elements protecting humans from some diseases. However, this type of water negatively affects hair!
Each strand of hair consists of countless cuticles as if they were cones on the trunk of a tree. The hard water tends to lift the skins, and the minerals present in this water create a kind of accumulation of "residues" around the cuticles that chase away hydration. What in the results in rough, dull hair, tangled, and dehydrated by more moisturizing products that are used. Hard water can also cause dandruff!
How to solve the problem?
This is the quickest, easiest, and longest way to decrease salts in hard water.
I still haven't researched well to know where these filters are sold, but I think that in stores like Leroy Merlin or if you contact water treatment companies like Cleanpur, they must have it.
There are also magnetic softeners for hard water that can be installed in the pipes and remove excess salts.
Wash with a Chelating Shampoo
A chelating shampoo removes the minerals that are accumulated in the threads left by the hard water. This type of shampoo is very similar to a clarifying shampoo. However, the clarifying shampoo only removes buildup, oil, and dirt and not the minerals of hard water or chlorine in swimming pools!
But be careful; after the chelating shampoo, you should do a super-intensive moisturizing treatment! As our type of hair is dehydrated, you should limit the use of this shampoo to once a month.
I usually use Paul Mitchell shampoo, and the results are fabulous! Super loose, soft, and shiny hair!
In most washes, you should use a sulfate-free shampoo to maintain hydration.
The most natural, economical, and easy way is to wash with apple cider vinegar. The acidity of the vinegar helps to get rid of the residues and minerals left in the strands, and not only, it balances the pH of the hair strands (read more about the pH here ), closes the cuticles and provides softness and smoothness to the hair.
This is the quickest, easiest, and longest way to decrease salts in hard water.
I still haven't researched well to know where these filters are sold, but I think that in stores like Leroy Merlin or if you contact water treatment companies like Cleanpur, they must have it.
There are also magnetic softeners for hard water that can be installed in the pipes and remove excess salts.
Wash with a Chelating Shampoo
A chelating shampoo removes the minerals that are accumulated in the threads left by the hard water. This type of shampoo is very similar to a clarifying shampoo. However, the clarifying shampoo only removes buildup, oil, and dirt and not the minerals of hard water or chlorine in swimming pools!
But be careful; after the chelating shampoo, you should do a super-intensive moisturizing treatment! As our type of hair is dehydrated, you should limit the use of this shampoo to once a month.
I usually use Paul Mitchell shampoo, and the results are fabulous! Super loose, soft, and shiny hair!
In most washes, you should use a sulfate-free shampoo to maintain hydration.
The most natural, economical, and easy way is to wash with apple cider vinegar. The acidity of the vinegar helps to get rid of the residues and minerals left in the strands, and not only, it balances the pH of the hair strands (read more about the pH here ), closes the cuticles and provides softness and smoothness to the hair.