Hard water: A danger for your hair?

Water is an essential element for survival and our elixir of life. Our hair also thirsts for moisture. However, hard water is often anything but beneficial for your locks.

But what should you do if the water in your area is hard and contains limescale? Hard water can cause a variety of problems that can affect the appearance of your curls and, in the worst case, even damage your hair.

So what can you do about hard water? In this guide, we will look at the topic of "hard water and hair" and help you to eliminate the negative effects of hard water or prevent them from the start.

What is hard water actually?

Hard water is water that contains a high concentration of dissolved calcium and magnesium . These minerals are often referred to as " hardness agents ." They can come from natural sources or be enriched by the water's contact with soil and rock.

The more of these minerals there are in the tap water, the more calcareous and harder it is. Calcareous water is widespread in many regions. The higher the pH value of your tap water, the higher the water hardness is usually.

One advantage of hard water is that a high lime content gives the cool water a wonderful taste. Hard water, on the other hand, has a primarily negative effect on the appearance and health of your hair and skin.

How does hard water affect hair?

The effects of hard water on hair are manifold. While soft water makes your mane soft and shiny, hard water causes insoluble substances to build up on the hair surface .

This causes the hair to become straw-like or dull and lose its shine. If you use hard water to wash your hair, your scalp will also suffer . Dandruff caused by hard water is therefore a well-known problem. The deposits on the sensitive scalp can also lead to increased itching .

Hard water is also not ideal when it comes to dyeing hair. If dyed hair is washed with hard water, this often reduces the durability of the hair color .

The lime content also affects hair washing. Water with a high degree of hardness reduces the washing performance of shampoos due to the high pH value. As a result, more product is needed than when washing with soft water. The foam formation of the hair care product can also be reduced.

Is soft water good for hair?

Soft water is said to have a slightly sour taste. However, soft water has the advantage for hair that it makes the curls soft and supple. Soft water is therefore particularly suitable for washing stubborn and naturally dry curly hair.

In addition, hair care products can be easily lathered with soft water and even a small amount is enough for a good washing effect.

Expert tip: Rinsing your hair can be a little more laborious than when using hard water. With soft water, you have to rinse for a long time and thoroughly. However, product residue can sometimes remain in the hair and build-up can occur.

How do I protect my hair from hard water?

There are various options to reduce the amount of limescale in water or to mitigate the effects of hard water on hair and skin. From professional filter installation solutions to simple home remedies, we present you with various options below.

water filter in the shower

A shower filter against limescale is an efficient method of significantly reducing the amount of limescale in the water and making the water soft. Conveniently, such a built-in shower filter also removes other substances such as chlorine or chemicals.

There are different types of limescale filters for the shower – from cheap to expensive, there is something for everyone.

vinegar rinse

A very inexpensive but effective method is to use a vinegar rinse after washing your hair. Curly girls probably already know this as an “acid rinse”.

The hair rinse made from water and vinegar closes the naturally rough cuticle layer of the hair and balances the pH value . This makes your curls wonderfully shiny and smooth.

Vinegar is also a real all-rounder against limescale and gently removes limescale deposits and residues from the hair. To make a vinegar rinse,

1. simply mix 2 tablespoons of vinegar to 1 liter of water
2. and rinse your scalp and hair with it after washing your hair.
3. Naturally cloudy apple cider vinegar is particularly popular.

Don't worry, the vinegar smell will disappear from your hair when it dries.

lemon rinse

Just like vinegar, lemon juice has the ability to remove deposits and limescale from hair thanks to its acidity. Lemon has antiseptic properties and is therefore also good for fighting dandruff.

You can quickly make your own lemon rinse.

Step 1:

Simply mix 1 tablespoon of lemon juice with 3 cups of water.

Step 2:

Distribute the conditioner into your hair section by section.

Step 3:

Let the whole thing work for a few minutes.

Step 4:

Then rinse your hair thoroughly with clean water.

Rinsing your hair with lemon should not be done too often, as the citric acid could dry out your curls too much. It is best to use a moisturizing curl cream or deep conditioner after a lemon rinse.

How about the Extra Loving Leave-in Conditioner from Pretty Curly Girl or the Fix My Curls Hydrating Deep Conditioner ? Both products give your curls an extra portion of care and moisture and make them strong against limescale.

Rainwater for the hair

Rainwater is naturally soft and does not contain any lime , so it is perfect for gently washing your hair. If you have the opportunity, you can collect rainwater and pamper your hair with the free water from heaven.

The only disadvantage is that it is difficult to collect rainwater without your own garden or roof terrace. It can also be a bit of a hassle, as it doesn't rain every day ;-)

water from the supermarket

Those who don't want to wait for rain often resort to bottled water from the supermarket. Mineral water can be used as a conditioner to wash hard water out of the hair.

It is important to make sure to use bottled water with as low a calcium and magnesium content as possible, as a high level of minerals will make the water too hard again.

If you don't want to buy mineral water, you can also prepare soft water for drinking using a commercially available water filter.

Special shampoos for hard water

There are special shampoos available to combat hard water. One disadvantage of these anti-limescale shampoos is that they are generally not suitable for use with the Curly Girl method .

They often contain harsh sulfates or surfactants, which have a negative impact on the moisture supply, especially in curly hair. Alternatively , deep cleansing shampoos for curly hair can help to gently remove possible limescale deposits and build-up from the hair.

At Lockenbox you will find a tried and tested selection of clarifying and deep cleansing shampoos for curly hair that do not strain your curls but still provide effective cleansing: Lockenbox deep cleansing shampoos .

Which hair care products are best suited for hard water?

When it comes to hard water, which can make hair brittle, dry and difficult to manage, it's all about the right care! To counteract the negative effects of hard water, your hair should always be well moisturized.

Moisturizing shampoos can be a first step to hydrate your locks when you wash your hair. On well-nourished hair, limescale has a much harder time depositing on the hair surface.

Leave-in conditioners for curls naturally provide effective protection against environmental influences while making hair more resistant to hard water.

Regular use of a deep conditioner can also be a good way to protect hair from the negative effects of hard water.

As a finish, you can spread some hair oil on your curly hair. The natural and high-quality oils form a protective film around your hair that protects against environmental influences.

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What can I do about hard water in my home?

If a shower filter is not enough for you, you can buy a water softener for your home. This not only protects your skin and hair from limescale, but also any technical devices in the house that come into contact with water.

Washing machines and coffee machines, for example, also suffer from limescale deposits and can become calcified by hard water, which can shorten the lifespan of the appliances without regular cleaning.

To counteract this, there are special descaling agents in powder or liquid form that are added directly to the machines. Many technical devices such as coffee machines also have a descaling mode to remove the deposits.

For faucets, shower heads and other objects where limescale can build up, regular cleaning with a vinegar or lemon cleaner will help remove the residue.

Conclusion

Even if the water coming out of your tap is not soft, you don't have to accept the negative effects of hard water. There are many ways to combat hard water.

If you give your hair a little attention and the right care, you can maintain and preserve healthy and beautiful curly hair even with hard and calcareous water.

In our Lockenbox Shop you will find a large selection of the best curl products that will sustainably care for your hair and protect it from hard water.

FAQ

Can hard water cause hair loss?

Hair loss due to hard water sounds like a hairy nightmare! If your hair is regularly washed with very hard water, it can lose elasticity and become very dry over time without adequate care.

The limescale deposits make the hair more vulnerable to external attacks. In the worst case, the permanent weakening of the hair structure can even lead to hair loss.

But don't worry, in this guide you have learned many possibilities and ways to protect your precious hair from the effects of limescale and prevent hair loss from occurring in the first place.

Read on here - it remains interesting :)