Are you battling flat, lifeless hair? Is your scalp feeling flaky and irritated? Your shower could be to blame. That’s because you could live in an area with hard water, and hard water is just the worst. It brings along a long list of problems around the house, like slowly destroying your water heater and leaving stains on your clothes. But hard water can also wreak havoc on your skin and your hair. How do you know if hard water is the culprit for your beauty woes? Keep reading to find out how to spot the signs and how to solve them.
What is Hard Water?
Did you know that about 85% of the U.S. has hard water? So, what exactly is hard water, and how do you know if you have it in your house? Hard water has a higher concentration of water because of the minerals in it. The most common minerals are calcium, magnesium salts, or iron. These minerals interact with various surfaces leaving behind evidence. Like, iron could leave a red stain on your clothes, or magnesium can be seen left behind in the kettle you use to boil water. Other signs that your house may have hard water, your clothes feel rough, and you get a film on your shower doors or bathtub. The harsh chemicals can also be a burden on your skin and hair. Although hard water is a hassle, there are ways to prevent the damage it can leave behind.
How Hard Water Affects Your Hair?
If you have hard water, your scalp could be very thirsty right now. Hard water can irritate even the oiliest of scalps. The minerals in the water can dry out your scalp, leaving it dehydrated, but still oily. And if you’re struggling with flat hair, that’s because hard water can also rob your hair of its elasticity, leaving it rough, flat, and lifeless. You know how soap scum sticks to your shower walls? Well, that’s basically what the hard water is doing to your hair. It’s causing the shampoo to form a thick substance that sticks to your hair, leaving it dry and flat.
How Hard Water Affects Your Skin?
Dry skin is a big sign that you could have hard water in your house. Not only that, but the minerals can also clog pores, causing breakouts. Why does this happen? Well, the minerals found in hard water don’t allow soap to be broken down like with regular water. So, your skin isn’t as clean as it should be because it’s left with soap residue. In some areas where hard water is really bad, it can cause skin issues like eczema, psoriasis, and acne are common.
How to Protect Your Skin and Hair From Hard Water Damage?
While the effects of harsh water on your skin and hair can be frustrating, it can be helped. Rehydration and re-balancing is the key. Here are some tips that can stop hard water from ruining your hair and skin:
HAIR TIPS FOR HARD WATER
- Strip Your Hair of Stubborn Residue
One way to keep your hair looking great, even with harsh water, is to use a clarifying shampoo. These shampoos are designed to remove excess oil from your hair and the scalp. So, the minerals that were left behind will be washed away with the clarifying shampoo. Keep in mind, these shampoos aren’t meant for everyday use. So, make sure to treat your hair with it only once or twice a month, so you don’t cause even more damage.
- Give Your Hair a Vinegar Rinse
You’ve probably heard of the health benefits of apple cider vinegar. It can help with weight loss, lower blood sugar, and reduce inflammation. But did you know that ACV can even help remove minerals left behind in your hair? It can, and it’s safe enough to use on your hair once a week. Create the rinse by adding one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to three cups of water. Apply the mixture to your scalp after you shampoo and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing out.
- Avoid using hard water
You can avoid using hard water on your hair by rinsing with bottled water or filter water at the end of your shower. You can keep a big jug of water or a pitcher by your shower to save money by not using the small bottles of water. While this isn’t a long-term solution, it will help temporarily help your damaged hair.
- Invest in a water softener
The best option for long-term hair care would be to treat your water with a water softener. Water softeners remove the calcium and magnesium found in your water supply.
SKIN TIPS FOR HARD WATER
- Install a water softener
Just like for your hair, installing a water softener will also help your skin. This is a long-term solution for skincare. A water softener removes the excessive minerals from your water, leaving you with soft water that will protect your skin from damage. If you get a water softener, you’ll notice that your soap will lather better, and so will your shampoo. So, you’ll use less hair and skincare products.
- Skip the soap and use a cleanser
If you have hard water, soap can cause a residue and build-up on your skin that can cause dryness. So, skip the soap and use cleansing milk or a body wash that is more moisturizing and hydrating.
- Always moisturize
Don’t wait to moisturize your skin or face. Be sure to apply moisturizer immediately after taking a shower or washing your face.
Treating Harsh Hard Water Damage
Hard water can be a big nuisance, and treating it can be a costly and intensive process. While getting a professional filtration system would be a permanent solution to getting rid of hard water, it isn’t always an option. But taking the steps we mentioned in this article could help provide relief to your hair and skin and protect it against the harsh residue brought on by hard water. If you are facing any skin or hair problem with your water. With this blog you can get the full information regarding the hair and skin problem by hard water.