You might have heard that it’s preferable to shower in soft water instead of hard water, but you might not be entirely sure as to why this is. Hard water refers to water that hasn’t been filtered of its abundant minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. While these minerals can be beneficial for us internally, they can wreak havoc on our skin and particularly our hair. Many common hair concerns, such as dryness, dullness and breakage, can be attributed to bathing in hard water. Here’s what you need to know about hard water and hair and why a water softener might be just what the hairdresser ordered.
Understanding the Benefits of Soft Water for Hair
Hard water isn’t hard because the water treatment plants intentionally engineer it to be. Instead, it has to do with the nature of the earth’s water cycle. As water cycles through rocks and soil, it absorbs the minerals found naturally in our ecosystem. Again, it’s crucial to emphasize that calcium and magnesium aren’t inherently bad for us. In fact, they’re an essential part of the daily vitamins and minerals that keep our bodies healthy.
So why are calcium and magnesium great for our insides but not ideal for our hair? It has to do with the fact that they tend to leave deposits on our scalp and hair follicles. Think of it like the rock salt that you might toss on a frozen driveway. While the salt serves a purpose in dissolving slippery ice, it leaves a deposit on our boots and pants. When calcium and magnesium build up on the scalp and hair, the deposit can leave our hair dull, brittle and difficult to style.
Water softener systems remove these minerals, producing soft water that doesn’t leave a deposit on the hair and scalp. This also helps to ensure a more thorough cleansing, as hair tends to lather better in soft water while shampoos and conditioners rinse out easier. This results in hair that’s cleaner, smoother and more manageable.
The Benefits of Soft Water for Hair
Enhanced Cleansing
A clean scalp is a healthy scalp. When mineral deposits are allowed to accumulate on the scalp, it becomes difficult to get a rich lather when you shampoo. When you cleanse your hair in soft water, it allows you to not only get a rich lather, but to properly rinse away dirt and oil.
Reduced Hair Damage
In addition to leaving mineral deposits on the scalp, hard water can strip the hair of its natural oils. While no one wants oily or greasy hair, it’s actually healthy to have some natural moisture on the hair; indeed, it’s one of the reasons we use hair conditioner. Soft water promotes healthy hair and reduces hair damage.
Increased Hair Shine
The minerals in hard water can leave a residue on the hair. This can result in hair that appears dull and matted instead of glossy and shiny. Furthermore, when you properly clean your hair in soft water, the styling products you use, such as serums and glosses, can do a better job of giving you the shiny hair you want.
Improved Hair Texture
Hard water can leave a film on the hair, causing it to feel rough and coarse. This can be especially problematic for those with curly hair types, as it takes the life out of curls and makes them appear stringy and lifeless. If you find that your curls rarely want to cooperate with you, hard water might be to blame.
Preserve Your Hair Color
No one who pays to have their hair colored wants to see their money rinse down the drain. When you wash professionally colored hair in hard water, you might be doing just that. Hard water can cause hair color to fade prematurely due to the minerals accumulating on the hair shaft. When you wash your hair in soft water, you can enjoy your color for longer.
Potential Reduction in Hair Loss
While the studies on this are mixed, some have found that hard water could potentially exacerbate hair loss due to the increased breakage and reduced elasticity that mineral buildup can cause to the hair shaft. While there’s no replacement for a treatment prescribed to you by a dermatologist, if you’re struggling with hair loss, a water softener system could potentially help to reduce fallout and minimize shedding.
Relief for Scalp Conditions
Conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis can cause discomfort and irritation on the scalp. Hard water can make these dry skin conditions worse. On the other hand, cleansing your hair in soft water is gentler, which means you won’t exacerbate these conditions further when you clean your hair.
Prevention of Scalp Irritation
Hard water can cause scalp irritation and itchiness due to mineral buildup and dryness, even in those who aren’t prone to dry skin or scalp conditions.
Enhanced Hair Growth
Soft water aids in enhancing hair growth by helping you to achieve a healthy scalp and reduce hair loss. While you might not be able to actually change the rate in which your hair grows, by keeping your scalp healthy and reducing fallout, you can ensure that your hair grows properly and doesn’t shed.
Improved Absorption of Hair Care Products
Soft water helps your hair care products, such as conditioners and serums, to be better absorbed into the hair shaft. When the hair is being exposed to excessive mineral buildup, it can create a film around the hair shaft that makes it difficult for these products to actually be absorbed.
An Easier Washing Process
Many people who have hard water complain that it takes quite long to rinse out their shampoo and conditioner. This is because hard water is actively coating your hair with mineral deposits, on top of the products that you’re trying to rinse away. It’s the equivalent of trying to wash soap away with baby oil instead of water. When you invest in a water softener system, you’ll find that your conditioner rinses away much easier.
Long-Term Cost Savings
While the initial investment in a water softener system may seem significant, the long-term cost savings are substantial. Aside from getting more bang for your buck from your styling products, you’ll be able to shampoo and condition your hair in less time, as your products will rinse away with ease. Furthermore, a healthier hair and scalp mean less time sitting in a stylist’s chair trying to repair damage.
The Healthiest Choice for Your Hair
If you want healthy, shiny and manageable hair, it’s essential that you invest in a water softener system. At Matheson Heating, Air and Plumbing, our team of professionals are ready to help you take your showering experience to the next level. Contact us today for more information about how a water softener system can improve the health of your family’s hair. We also offer heating installation and maintenance, in addition to helping you with all of your plumbing needs. We are proud to serve the Commerce, MI community.