In the UK, when it comes to dealing with hard water and your hair, it can be exhausting.
As a hair salon in Bristol, we know first hand how frustrating it can be when hard water affects the overall health and look of your hair.
Which is why we’ve put together this blog on how to remedy the quality of your hair with hard water. We’ll start by explaining what hard water is and how it affects your hair, and then move into some solutions to get your hair feeling as amazing as the last time you left the hair salon in Bristol.
What is hard water?
It’s water that is high in dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium, which causes limescale, a chalk-like substance.
Hard water can leave mineral deposits on your dishes, glassware, clothes, faucets, skin, and what we’ll be talking about in this blog, your hair.
How does hard water affect your hair?
While hard water is very healthy to drink, it sometimes can have damaging effects on your hair, skin, and nails. The main problem with hard water is that it cannot bind to shampoos, conditioners, and soaps. This means the products aren’t as effective, and you’ll have to use them more frequently. And after many washes, the minerals that are being dissolved into the hard water create a film on the hair - which means moisture can’t enter the hair. It also created build up on the scalp leading to dandruff and itchiness. If you find you have dry, itchy, dull, tangled hair with a faded color, hard water is probably affecting you. You might have even worse reactions, such as your hair breaking off or thinning.
If you’re wanting to have that “just left the hair salon in Bristol” feeling, then keep reading to see our suggestions to rescue and revive your hair at home.
Treating The Effects of Hard Water
The best way to reverse the effects of hard water is simply to stop using hard water, but that’s not always possible.
Using a Vinegar Rinse
Vinegar is strong on the hair, and it can leave your hair dry if done too often. And it smells very strongly as well. However the acidity of vinegar works to remove calcium buildup from your hair by balancing the pH of your hair to leave you hair feeling soft and silky.
There are many different recipes out there, but the best way we suggest is to use one part of apple cider vinegar and two parts of water, ideally bottled or filtered water. After you shampoo your hair, massage the vinegar rinse into your hair.
Rinse with Filtered Water
Using plastic bottles, of course, is harmful to the environment. However, filtered water such as from Brita, won’t have as many mineral deposits. It’s a great option to do as a final rinse after shampooing and conditioning your hair.
It will help get some of the mineral deposits out.
Use a Clarifying Shampoo
Clarifying shampoo is similar to the vinegar rinse in that it will remove the build-up of hard water. They break down the residue from hard water and excess products on the outer surface of the hair. You’ll want to look out for ingredients like vitamin C, apple cider vinegar, and EDTA.
There are a million different types of clarifying shampoos that focus on different problems. But some of our favourites for hard water is Kevin Murphy’s Maxi Wash.
Always follow with a deep conditioner and good moisturizers.
If you’re not sure which product to use for your hair, ask your hair salon in Bristol for advice.
Install a Showerhead Filter
Shower head filters are a great alternative for those who are letting their homes and can’t convince landlords to install a full water softener. You can find them at home improvement stores or on Amazon. They’re also a great option for those on a budget who want that fresh from the hair salon in Bristol feel to their hair.
All you need to do is attach it to the shower head and then wash your hair like normal.
Filters break up the calcium and magnesium that comes out of the taps. So, it’ll reduce the limescale
Treat Hard Water Hair with Your Hairdresser in Bristol
Your local hair salon in Bristol has seen a lot of damaged hair over the years.
Whether your hair is thinning, breaking, falling out, dried out, or fried from heat damage, bleach or hard water, the BME team, a hair salon in Bristol, knows how to revive and restore your hair.