If you’ve been battling with an irritated and flaky scalp, lifeless and flat hair, or even breakage and hair loss, your hard water showers may be the culprit. While hard water is considered healthy to drink, it has proven to have adverse effects on your scalp-skin and hair, which can lead to a myriad of issues.
Is hard water bad for your hair?
Hard water contains minerals like calcium and magnesium that can build up on your hair and scalp leading to damage.
MONPURE’s Strengthening Shampoo and Essence-Conditioner contain a high percentage of vegan silk peptides. This fortifying active ingredient protects the hair and scalp against hard water deposits and strengthens from root to tip.
Hard water vs soft water
Hard water refers to water that contains a high percentage of the minerals calcium and magnesium, and even traces of metal elements. It tends to cause buildup on appliances, faded clothing, and damage to hair and scalp.
Soft water sources like rainwater and filtered bottled water lack these extra minerals. Washing your hair in soft water allows moisture to better penetrate for shiny, healthy strands.
The UK is home to exceptionally hard water, with major cities like London, Oxford and Newcastle amongst the most severely affected, exhibiting over 200mg of calcium carbonate per litre. In fact, 60% of the UK is classified as having hard water, making it the default supply for most citizens across the country.
An overwhelming 85% of the USA has hard water. The Midwest and parts of the South have notably hard water, primarily due to high concentrations of calcium and magnesium ions.
What does hard water do to your hair?
Hard water leaves a mineral film on hair and scalp that blocks moisture absorption, leading to several problematic issues for hair health and longevity. The buildup of minerals found in hard water produces a coating on the hair shaft and scalp that makes it difficult for hydration and oils to properly penetrate into the strands. This leaves hair feeling dry, brittle, limp and lifeless instead of soft and vibrant.
Additionally, hard water can lift up the cuticle layer of the hair, compromising its protective outer barrier. This erosion of the cuticle markedly reduces the hair's structural integrity and elasticity over time. Hair becomes increasingly fragile and prone to tangling, frizz, breakage and excessive shedding. The mineral deposits can also clog hair follicles and pores on the scalp, resulting in inflammation, irritation, dandruff flakes, and itchiness.
Furthermore, hard water is known to interfere with hair dye jobs, causing colour to turn out faded, dull and slightly off-hue after the first few washes. This mineral buildup can prevent hair dye from taking evenly for a vibrant overall result. Strands end up looking brassy and discoloured rather than shiny and uniformly toned. Over time, the increasing roughness and breakage due to mineral deposits from hard water use can also thin out hair considerably.
How to repair and protect against the effects of hard water
Firstly, consider installing a filter in your shower. Filtered shower heads are specifically designed to eliminate all of the nasty minerals in your water, thus protecting your hair and scalp from their detrimental effects.
The Wonders of Vegan Silk PeptidesVegan silk peptides are a revolutionary ingredient that work to curb the harmful effects of hard water. This vegan alternative to silk peptides delivers a physical and breathable protective barrier to the hair and scalp, delivering a robust barrier function against aggressors, including the damaging minerals characteristic of hard water.
In fact, vegan silk peptides improve carbon particle removal up to 83% with each wash. Additionally, the significant protective properties of this ingredient improve hair colour protection by 35%, as well repair thermal damage by 72%. Vegan silk peptides intelligently protect the hair and scalp as soon as 10 minutes after application.
The application of vegan silk peptides yields scientifically-proven results, and fosters a stronger, healthier and more resilient scalp and hair environment. Vegan silk peptides also improve the hair’s smoothness and shine, leaving it silky to the touch.
Vegan silk peptides can be found in high percentages in MONPURE’s Strengthening Silk Protein Shampoo and Strengthening Essence-Conditioner. This foundational pair will bolster the strength of the hair with every use, while combatting the effects of hard water.
The Strengthening Silk Protein Shampoo’s vegan keratin, which form the building blocks of the hair strand, will also work to fortify fine hair, rebuild damaged follicles and protect the hair from future damage that may be wreaked by hard water.
Opt for a Scalp Mask
When confronted with hard water, it is essential to treat your scalp and roots to a mask that will aid in locking in moisture, conditioning the scalp and reviving your locks.
MONPURE’s Nourish and Stimulate Scalp Mask works to improve scalp health by ‘feeding’ hair follicles and skin cells with essential nutrients. It stimulates follicles, while hydrating and relieving the scalp discomfort left in the wake of hard water. The mask fosters a healthy dermatological condition for the scalp, which as the hair’s incubator, will positively impact the natural growth, retention and health of the hair.
Don't let hard water hold you back from having the healthy, vibrant hair you deserve. Take control of your hair care regimen and embrace the power of vegan silk peptides for a stronger, more resilient scalp and hair. Your journey to hair health starts with MONPURE.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I protect my hair from hard water?
Use a shower filter and sulphate-free shampoo with fortifying ingredients like vegan silk peptides. Use a nourishing scalp mask once a week.
Can hard water cause greasy hair?
Yes, the mineral deposits can clog follicles leading to excess oil production.
Can hard water cause dry hair?
Yes, minerals prevent moisture from penetrating the hair shaft making hair brittle and dry.
Can hard water cause dry scalp?
It can leave a film on the scalp blocking moisture absorption, resulting in flaking and itchiness.
Can hard water cause dandruff?
Yes, it can irritate the scalp and impede its ability to shed dead cells normally.
