Hola Beautifuls!
Since I've moved I've noticed a difference in my hair and its response to water. My hair just doesn't quite have the same feel when I'm washing/co-washing it. Even a simple rinse leads to rough-feeling hair and I don't like it! My guess is that I'm dealing with a harder water than before which has lead to the subject of this post.
According to the
Chagrin Valley Soap and Craft Co. , the characteristics of your water can determine how well (or poorly) your shampoo and conditioning routine works. Also, house water that is chlorinated, mineralized or fluoridated can also have an effect on your hair. Many incorrectly believe that only “well water” is hard water. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, it is estimated that more than 85% of the water used by consumers in the US can be classified at some level of “hard” water.
Rainwater is soft and mineral free. But, when it falls to the ground it seeps through the soil and rocks and dissolves minerals which give it its character. If the rainwater water passes through hard rock, it remains soft. However, if the ground water seeps through softer rocks, like the limestone very common in the Great Lakes Basin, it dissolves lots of minerals, principally calcium and magnesium, along the way. The degree of hardness becomes greater as the calcium and magnesium content increases. The term “hard water” was originally coined to refer to water that was difficult or hard to work with. Hard water requires much more soap, shampoo, or detergent than soft water; and the minerals in hard water can decrease soap’s lathering capabilities.
While hard water is fine for drinking, it can cause many problems for your hair, scalp and skin.
Malibu Wellness , a company focused on understanding the connection between the environment and the human body, quotes hard water as causing problems including these symptoms:
• Hair feels dry
• Hair is resistant to color or perming
• Dandruff or eczema of the scalp
• Dry, flaky skin
• Thinning hair
• Colors fading too quickly
• Perms appearing to fall out
• Discoloration or darkening of hair
• Hair lacks body and shine
What are some solutions to dealing with hard water?
- Oil treatments
- Adding a tsp or two of baking soda to shampoo or conditioner
- Using a clarifying shampoo is another great way to strip off built up product as well as some minerals from the hair.
- Another remedy is to use an apple cider vinegar and water mixture as your final rinse. You can fill a spray bottle with it, but this takes a long time to saturate the hair. Better idea might be to mix up a gallon of the concoction and use it in the sink by soaking your hair in it.
- Put a shower filter on your shower head
The solution that I’m choosing to go with is the shower filter which I will hopefully have by sometime next week. I’ve read about many people having successful usage with the
Sprite brand shower filter ($40-$55) which is my choice. I’m eager to get it so that I can share with you my results.
If you’ve had or are having issues with hard water, how are you dealing with it?...
Post Title → HARD WATER AND HAIR
