Hard Water and Hair: What's the Impact on Your Locks?

What is Hard Water?

Hard water has a high mineral content, primarily calcium and magnesium. These minerals dissolve naturally in water through limestone and other geological formations. While calcium and magnesium are essential for health, their excess in water can cause problems, particularly for household appliances, skin, and hair (Luqman et al., 2018).

Did you know? Water hardness in the UK is measured in Clark degrees or milligrams per litre (mg/l) of calcium carbonate. Water is considered hard from about 150 mg/l CaCO3. In some studies, water hardness is measured in parts per million (ppm) of calcium carbonate, with values up to 212.5 ppm for hard water (Srinivasan et al., 2013).

What Are the Drawbacks of Hard Water?

Hard water interacts with our hair daily, altering its structure and appearance. This natural phenomenon manifests through several characteristic signs that affect hair quality and scalp comfort.

Dull and Brittle Hair

Limescale forms an invisible but tenacious mineral deposit on the hair fibre. This accumulation creates a barrier that prevents the hair’s natural hydration, making it drier and more brittle. The hair cuticles can no longer close properly, which alters its natural shine and gives it a dull appearance. The hair gradually loses its suppleness and becomes more difficult to style (Evans et al., 2011). Studies have shown that exposure to hard water can significantly reduce hair’s tensile strength, making it more susceptible to breakage (Luqman et al., 2018).

Irritated Scalp

Hard water can disrupt the natural balance of the scalp. The hydrolipidic film, this natural protective barrier, can be altered by limescale deposits. This can lead to itching, redness, and a feeling of discomfort. The scalp may also become drier and develop flakes, which are signs of persistent irritation.

Altered Hair Colour

For people with coloured hair, hard water presents a particular challenge. The minerals present in the water can react with the dye pigments, leading to premature colour alteration. Blonde hair may develop undesirable greenish tints, while other colours may appear dull and faded more quickly than expected. This interaction between hard water metals and chemical hair treatments can also affect style retention, especially for bleached hair (Evans et al., 2011).

Does Hard Water Cause Hair Loss?

While hard water isn’t directly responsible for hair loss, it can create unfavourable conditions for scalp and hair health.

Limescale deposits can, over time, partially clog the pores of the scalp, thus disrupting the natural hair growth cycle. This mineral accumulation forms a microscopic barrier that limits gas exchange and oxygenation of the hair follicles. Moreover, limescale can cause dehydration of the hair fibre, making it more fragile and susceptible to breakage (Luqman et al., 2018).

Chronic scalp irritation caused by limescale deposits can also trigger excessive sebum production, creating an environment conducive to microbial imbalances. These conditions can exacerbate pre-existing hair problems such as dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis.

Hair loss is a multifactorial phenomenon influenced by genetics, diet, stress, and hormonal imbalances. Hard water appears as a potential aggravating factor rather than a direct cause.

How to Protect Hair from Hard Water?

Faced with the harmful effects of hard water on our hair, several effective solutions exist. These methods, adapted to different needs and budgets, allow us to preserve the health and beauty of our hair while enjoying the benefits of regular washing.

Installing a Water Softener

Installing a water softener represents a durable and effective solution. This device filters the water before it reaches your tap, significantly reducing its limescale content. Although the initial investment can be substantial, the benefits are felt not only on your hair but also on your skin and household appliances.

Good to know: It’s advisable to call on a professional to install and regularly maintain the device. Consider contacting a Water Quality Association-certified installer in the UK for expert advice and service.

Using Specific Products

The market offers a wide range of hair products designed to counter the effects of limescale. Clarifying shampoos in pharmacies and supermarkets contain chelating agents that neutralise minerals. Moisturising treatments for the hair fibre generally accompany these products.

Natural solutions such as vinegar rinses or acidified floral waters are alternatives to conventional products.

These options allow you to adapt the treatment according to scalp sensitivity and the degree of limescale in the water.

Filtering Rinse Water

Filtering water at the point of use represents an accessible solution to reduce the impact of limescale. Filtering shower heads incorporate different filtration technologies, from activated carbon cartridges to polyphosphate beads. These devices attach directly to existing taps and allow localised filtration.

Good to know: The lifespan of cartridges varies depending on water hardness and frequency of use, requiring periodic replacement to maintain treatment effectiveness. Some models include filter change indicators, facilitating their maintenance.

How to Wash Hair After a Hair Transplant?

Post-hair transplant care requires special attention during the healing phase. During the first two weeks, gently washing with soft, controlled movements should be done. Use lukewarm water to avoid irritating the grafted area, preferably using a jug. Your surgeon should specifically recommend washing products.

The frequency of washing is determined by your practitioner, often limited in the first days then gradually increased. The washing technique matters: Avoid rubbing the grafted area directly, and prefer very gentle circular movements around the grafts. Rinsing should be thorough to remove all product residues. Drying is done by lightly patting it with a clean towel without rubbing it.

Once the initial healing period has passed (about 2 to 3 weeks), you can gradually resume your washing habits, always maintaining some vigilance regarding handling grafted areas.

Hard Water and Hair Transplant: What Should You Know?

Limescale can affect healing and the final aesthetic result. To protect the grafts, filtered water is recommended during the first post-operative weeks. A filtering shower head or a temporary filtration system can be installed.

Once healing is complete, maintain an adapted routine to protect your new hair from the drying effects of limescale. It’s important to note that chemically treated hair, such as those that have undergone a transplant, may be more sensitive to the effects of hard water (Evans et al., 2011).

Turkey has established itself as a reference destination for hair transplantation, notably thanks to the expertise of renowned practitioners like Dr Cinik. His clinic in Istanbul, equipped with the latest technologies, welcomes patients from all over the world, including the UK. Dr Cinik stands out for his personalised approach and innovative care protocols, ensuring optimal results for each intervention.

Hard Water and Hair: Key Takeaways

• Hard water gradually degrades the hair fibre through mineral accumulation, causing dryness and loss of shine (Evans et al., 2011).
• Several solutions exist depending on needs: water softener for a durable solution, filtering shower heads for an economical approach, or specific products for targeted treatment.
• Limescale is not directly responsible for hair loss but can weaken the scalp and accelerate the deterioration of existing hair (Luqman et al., 2018).
• In the UK, consult local water treatment specialists or the Water Quality Association for personalised advice on managing hard water in your area.

Sources

Evans, A. O., Marsh, J. M., & Wickett, R. R. (2011). The structural implications of water hardness metal uptake by human hair. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 33(5), 421-427. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2494.2011.00659.x

Luqman, M. W., Ramzan, M. H., Javaid, U., Ali, R., Shoaib, M., & Luqman, M. A. (2018). To Evaluate and Compare Changes in Baseline Strength of Hairs after Treating them with Deionized Water and Hard Water and its Role in Hair Breakage. International Journal of Trichology, 10(3), 113-117. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijt.ijt_115_16

Srinivasan, G., Srinivas, C. R., Mathew, A. C., & Duraiswami, D. (2013). Effects of Hard Water on Hair. International Journal of Trichology, 5(3), 137-139. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-7753.125609