Does hard water cause dandruff
If you have an inflamed, flaky, and itchy scalp, lifeless and flat hair, or even breakage and hair loss, your hard water showers could be to blame. While hard water is considered safe to drink, it has been shown to have negative effects on your skin and hair, which can lead to a variety of problems. But first, what exactly is hard water?
About hard water?
According to the Water Quality Association, hard water is water that contains a high percentage of the minerals calcium and magnesium, as well as traces of metallic metals.
In comparison to soft water sources like rainwater and filtered bottled water, hard water causes buildup on household appliances, causes our clothing to fade and stiffen, and is harsh on our scalp and hair. For instance, a 1999 study evaluated the uptake of calcium and magnesium by human hair from 24 different regions throughout the world. High-hardness water was observed to increase hair absorption of certain metallic elements.
What does Hard Water do with your hair?
Hard water is water that contains a high concentration of dissolved minerals, typically calcium and magnesium. Pure rainwater naturally picks up mineral salts like calcium and magnesium as it filters through rocks, soil, and even sand. Hard water causes limescale accumulation in sinks, bathtubs, and faucets, as well as mineral deposits on our dishes and glasses. It can even cause clothes to fade after washing.
Many individuals are unaware that the water they use to wash and bathe affects their skin and hair. Although hard water is considered, it can have negative effects on your skin and hair, as well as generate scale deposits on your household equipment.
Minerals in hard water cannot bond to shampoos, conditioners, and soaps, limiting their effectiveness and increasing consumption. Minerals dissolved in hard water form a film on the hair after repeated washings, preventing moisture from entering the hair. As a result, the hair is dry, lifeless, and tangly, and the color has disappeared. Hard water can also promote scalp buildup, resulting in dandruff and itching.
Does dandruff or dry hair get affected by hard water?
Different countries, regions, and municipalities may have different water pouring out of their faucets. The big concern is whether it’s hard or soft water. Have you ever gone on vacation with the best or worst hair you’ve ever had? This could be related to a change in water hardness.
Hard water contains calcium and magnesium from deposits of limestone, chalk, or marble, which are not harmful to health but create dandruff, dry hair, and dry skin, making both appear unhealthy. Aside from hair difficulties, you can tell whether you have hard water from stains in sinks, showers, toilets, and other places.
Hard water can cause your hair to appear dry, dull, or even damaged. Hard water can also produce dandruff and make your scalp dry, itchy, or flaky, making it ideal for dry scalp therapy. Using soft water or water softeners can help you entirely overcome dry scalp and hair treatment, restoring your healthy appearance.
Soft water would assist frizzy or damaged hair by making it simpler to tame and smooth. Because soft water lathers faster and have fewer minerals that bond to other molecules, you don’t need nearly as much soap, shampoo, or body wash as you do when showering with hard water. This keeps hard water from damaging and dulling your hair.
Does hard water cause hair loss?
Hard water minerals combine with shampoo to generate a salt that leaves a deposit on the surface of your hair and scalp. Mineral buildup reduces the flexibility of the hair, making it more prone to breaking. If breakage is not addressed, it can result in the appearance of thinning hair. Excess minerals not only weigh down your hair, making it look flat and lifeless, but they can also make your strands feel drier and more brittle.
Not only that, but hard water accumulation on the scalp can block the roots and inhibit the growth of new hair. Calcium deposits on the scalp can create dry, itchy skin with flakes of dandruff.
Conclusion
Hair that has been exposed to hard water may appear dull and dry. Long-term contact with harsh water on your hair might cause it to become weighed down with excessive minerals. To combat this sensation, hair professionals recommend utilizing a dry hair treatment such as a hair mask or repair oil. However, this only aids in the resolution of a problem that has already happened. A long-term hard water remedy in your home can eliminate this hair and skin condition. A whole-house option would be to purchase a water softener, which removes all of the bothersome minerals, leaving you with soft water and healthy hair and skin.
