DOES HARD WATER CAUSE HAIR LOSS

In this article, we will discuss what is Hard water, how to identify it, does hard water cause hair loss, its effect on health and to prevent hair damage caused by it, hair loss due to hard water is reversible or not, drinking hard water leads to hair loss and I will discuss some amazing shampoo and supplements by WOW SKIN SCIENCE which protect your hair from hard water.

WHAT IS HARD WATER?

Hard water is that water which has generally high mineral content. Hard water has minerals such as calcium, magnesium metal ions, bicarbonates, and sulfate. Calcium is usually present in hard water as calcium carbonate (in the form of limestone and chalk) and calcium sulphate.

Hard water is formed when water passes through limestone and chalk which mostly consist of calcium and magnesium.

Water hardness is measured usually by the concentration of calcium and magnesium but iron and aluminum may also be present in some locations.

THE SIMPLEST WAY TO IDENTIFY HARD WATER IS

1-Lather/Froth test

Agitate your soap in water if foam forms easily then it is soft water otherwise it is hard water because hard water doesn’t generate much foam.

2-Taste can also indicate hardness in water; the taste will be less pleasant as compared to the taste of soft water.

3-If you want to know the exact hardness of your water, do a TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) test this simply check the quantum of total dissolved solids in water which can be minerals, salts, and other impurities.

SOURCE OF HARD WATER

Water from sources like bore wells, tube wells, hand pumps is hard due to dissolved impurities and minerals. Surface water from rivers usually has low amounts of dissolved salts and minerals (calcium, magnesium, iron, aluminum).

If you want to know water hardness in your city you can simply google water hardness map of your country.

Talking about India hard water index is high in Rajasthan and Gujarat and Northeast water index is soft.

DOES HARD WATER CAUSES HAIR LOSS? AND IT’S EFFECT ON HEALTH

They have a very bad effect on hair and skin. Bathing in hard water could cause rough hair, itchy scalp, and scalp calcification which can cause hair loss. In many areas, the concentration of calcium and magnesium is not very high to cause any risk but in some areas, their concentration is very high and can cause kidney stones.

Effects  Of Using Hard Water On Hair

The high concentration of mineral and salts in hard water dry up your scalp or cause scales in your hair which make them rough and tangled.

Minerals and salt get stick to the hair and the buildup causes hair to break.

Some scientists stated that hard water which is rich in calcium (as calcium carbonate) comes in contact with your scalp and gets deposited there, this whole condition is known as calcification.

The main problem with calcification is that it restricts blood flow to your hair follicles and causes inflammation in the scalp. Due to improper blood supply and inflammation your follicles get depleted in essential nutrient, oxygen and ultimately your hair fall out.

This is shown in many pieces of research you can check out- https://sites.psu.edu/siowfa15/2015/10/22/does-hard-water-cause-hair-loss/

https://www.wqa.org/learn-about-water/perceptible-issues/scale-deposits

TIPS FOR WASHING HAIR IN HARD WATER

1-You can install water softer machine, these can be easily installed at your home.

2-There are some natural remedies also-

a-Add lemon juice to your water and use it to treat your scalp, this will break down the residuals of salt and remove buildup from your scalp.

b-You can use apple cider vinegar to avoid damage in your hair from hard water

Take one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mix it with 500ml of water and rinse your hair.

I will recommend you using WOW Apple cider vinegar which is completely natural and very effective.

If you want to buy WOW apple cider vinegar check this out- https://www.buywow.in/collections/diet-nutrition/products/wow-apple-cider-vinegar-750-ml?variant=21614163777

3-Buy a shampoo which is made to tackle hard water

WOW HARD WATER DEFENCE SHAMPOO

This shampoo works amazingly, neutralize all the minerals and salt which can cause damage to hair. The good thing is that it is free from harmful sulphate, paraben, and other chemicals.

This shampoo has chelating or clarifying qualities, especially with the EDTA which prevents the mineral build up in your scalp. It contains Vitamin B5, jojoba oil, and aloe vera extract which removes dead cells from the scalp.

I will highly recommend this shampoo because this is the cheapest and simple solution to tackle hard water.

If you want to buy this shampoo check this link-https://www.buywow.in/collections/hair-care/products/wow-skin-science-hard-water-defense-shampoo-300ml

WOW ACTIVATED CHARCOAL AND KERATIN SHAMPOO

The main ingredient of this shampoo is activated charcoal which traps and removes the scalp buildup caused by hard water and clarifies the roots of the hair.

Hydrolyzed keratin protein penetrates in the damaged hair shaft to repair and strengthen them.

If you want to buy check this out-https://www.buywow.in/collections/hair-care/products/wow-skin-science-activated-charcoal-keratin-shampoo 

SUPPLEMENT YOU NEED TO DECREASE CALCIFICATION IN SCALP CAUSED BY HARD WATER

1-OMEGA 3

Omega 3 increases blood circulation and reduces inflammation. We know that due to calcification the blood circulation in your scalp is reduced and hair follicles get inflamed so to counter this we must use Omega 3.

WOW OMEGA 3 FISH OIL

We know that WOW is the trusted company, it provides us pure fish oil free from heavy metals.

If you want to reduce calcification in your scalp you should buy this.

If you want to buy check this out-https://www.buywow.in/collections/diet-nutrition/products/wow-omega-3-fish-oil-1250-mg-triple-strength-550-mg-epa-350mg-dha

2-MAGNESIUM

You should use magnesium because it balances extra calcium on your scalp. Supplement your diet with a good source of magnesium that will balance the excess calcium in your scalp.

WOW MAGNESIUM CITRATE

High absorb formulation; helps in improving muscles and nerve function and it will also reduce calcification in your scalp.

If you to buy check this out-https://www.buywow.in/collections/diet-nutrition/products/wow-life-science-magnesium-citrate

 

HAIR LOSS DUE TO HARD WATER IS REVERSIBLE?

Hair loss due to hard water is not permanent if you reduce calcification and improve blood circulation by keeping your diet balanced your hair will regrow.

DOES DRINKING HARD WATER CAUSES HAIR LOSS?

Drinking water full of pollutants, toxins, and salts can surely degrade your health. Drinking hard water causes hair loss won’t be a greater issue because it will damage your kidney first. It is better to drink purified water because it hydrates the entire body so that blood can easily transport nutrients to the entire body including the scalp.

If you find that you are using hard water and your hair started shedding you can use any of the methods discussed above. Some people are more sensitive to hard water but in some people, it has no visible effects.

If you find this helpful and have any question comment below.

This article is only for educational purpose if you have any hair problem first consults your dermatologist.