You might think that the water in which you wash your hair makes little difference to its silky shine; surely your choice of shampoo is more important? The truth is that hard water buildup may cause your hair to begin to lose its luster. If you live in Edwardsville, IL and can’t work out why your hair is looking flat and dull, hard water could be to blame. Here’s how to tell and what to do when this happens!
What is hard water buildup?
The term “hard water” doesn’t mean water that is literally hard like a brick. Instead, it refers to water that contains high levels of minerals, such as magnesium and calcium. Water that contains few minerals is called soft water. Unfortunately, these excess mineral produce hard water buildup on pipes and plumbing fixtures that could wreak havoc on your hair.
Hard water & washing
Hard water is notoriously bad at forming a lather when mixed with soap, which can make it difficult to wash your hair. If your home in Edwardsville, IL has a hard water supply, you may have trouble washing your hair. Additionally, the excess minerals may build up on your hair follicles, leaving hair that’s dry, flat or even brittle.
Hard water & hair
Every shaft of your hair is covered in tiny scales, which coat the surface of the hair like shingles covers a roof. When these scales lie flat, your hair will feel silky and smooth, and you will probably find that it is easy to style. However, washing your hair in hard water can lead to the scales standing up, which means that your hair will feel rough. It might also form tangles that are difficult to brush or comb out.
Hard water & soap
There is another way in which hard water hampers your ability to have smooth, shiny hair. When you mix soap products with hard water, the minerals in the water react with the soap to form a film of calcium or magnesium salts. This film remains on your hair when you rinse away the lather, causing it to lack volume.
How to have beautiful hair in a hard water area
If you live in an area where the water quality is low, do not despair. You are not doomed to a lifetime of bad-hair days. Many households in Edwardsville, IL use water softeners, which are water filtration systems that remove minerals from water to make it softer. To find out how this kind of water purification system could solve your hard water problems, get in touch with Morrison Plumbing today!