If you’ve ever battled with dry, brittle hair, or if your once-luscious curls are now looking more like straw, hard water might be the sneaky culprit you haven’t considered.
Hard water, rich in minerals like calcium and magnesium, has a knack for binding to your hair, leaving a trail of damage that can’t be washed away with a treatment. Luckily, there are ways to bolster your hair health without installing a fancy filtration system, or spending thousands at the salon.
What the hard water?
Hard water contains high levels of minerals that can wreak havoc on your locks. Whether or not you may be getting hard water through your taps depends entirely on the location of your water source.
These minerals, over sustained periods, can leave your hair feeling dry and prone to breakage, but can also lead to significant colour loss – even when you’ve got the most potent toners or colour-depositing conditioners in your hair.
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4 ways to fix hair damage caused by hard water
As we’ve said, there are ways to bolster your hair health without filtration systems and expensive visits to the salon:
Chelating shampoos
Chelating shampoos are specifically formulated to remove mineral buildup from the hair. Look for products containing ingredients such as EDTA or citric acid, which bind to the minerals and lift them away from the hair shaft. Use these shampoos regularly to prevent further buildup and restore your hair’s natural shine and softness.
Try: Loreal Professional Pure Resource Shampoo or Sorbet Drybar Activated Charcoal Shampoo.
Clarifying treatments
In addition to chelating shampoos, occasional clarifying treatments can help remove stubborn mineral deposits from your hair. Look for clarifying masks or treatments designed to deeply cleanse the hair and scalp, removing impurities and restoring balance. Use these treatments once or twice a month to keep your hair feeling fresh and revitalised.
Try: Intense Muk Repair Treatment
Deep conditioning masks
Hard water can strip your hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry and damaged. To replenish moisture and repair damage, use deep conditioning masks or treatments regularly. Look for products containing nourishing ingredients such as argan oil, shea butter, or keratin to hydrate and strengthen your hair from within.
Try: Mycro Keratin Keraxir Repair Masque
Vinegar rinses
Vinegar rinses are a natural remedy for removing mineral buildup and restoring the pH balance of your hair. Mix equal parts vinegar and water and use it as a final rinse after shampooing and conditioning. The acidity of the vinegar helps dissolve mineral deposits and seal the hair cuticle, leaving your hair soft, shiny, and more manageable.
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Restore healthy hair by removing product build up on your scalp
Feature Image: Unsplash
