Does Hard Water Cause Hair Loss?
Does Hard Water Cause Hair Loss?
Water is something that none of us usually think about when it comes to washing our hair and even causes hair loss. But have you ever felt that your hair has become dull, dry, and lifeless? Or have you noticed an unusual amount of hair on your brush after a wash?
This might prompt you to question the water that runs through your showerhead. Many people have become concerned about ‘hard water’ and its correlation with hair loss. Nonetheless, is it genuine or just another myth, or have you ever considered how hard water impacts your hair?
In this blog, we’ll define what hard water is, how it affects it, and what you can do about it.
What Is Hard Water?
To fully comprehend how hard water can affect your hair, one must first understand what hard water is. Briefly, hard water is water with a substantial mineral content, often high in calcium and magnesium.
Although hard water is safe to drink, the large number of minerals that it contains can affect both your skin and hair. Because the signs and symptoms caused by hard water can be minimal at first, most individuals aren’t even aware they’re using it. The minerals in hard water can accumulate, aggravating the health and look of your hair.
The issue with hard water and hair is that the minerals that cling to your scalp and hair make it difficult to thoroughly rinse out shampoos and conditioners. This is how hard water can affect your hair. It makes hair dry and harder to wash out your shampoos and conditioners.
What Can Consistent Use Of Hard Hair Water Lead To?
Here’s what consistent use of hard water for washing your hair can lead to: hard water hair effects
Build-up on Scalp
Those minerals within hard water can build-up on your scalp in turns blocking hair follicles and preventing it from growing healthily. This causes dandruff and also the hair health can be worst. When your hair follicles are clogged, in the worst case scenario the follicles may die and cause you shedding your hairs.
Hair Loss or Can hard water cause hair fall
Hard water does not contribute to hair loss per se, it is the mineral residue accumulation and scalp/hair damage associated with hard water that can lead to weakened hair shafts. With time, hair follicles weakened may break more easily, which can make it seem as though you are experiencing hair thinning or shedding.
Keep in mind that this is hair breakage, instead of actual hair loss at the root.
Color Fading
Depending on how you dyed your hair, hard water may cause the color to fade more quickly than if you had used soft water. Hard water — because of its mineral content — will basically pull the color pigments from your hair shafts, causing it to actually look faded and not vibrant. This is not just dehydrate your hair so it can looks dull and lifeless.
Frizz and Lack of Shine
Frizzy hair is another thing hard water does to your hair. Since the minerals don't rinse out as easily, they interfere with the cuticle lying flat causing hair to feel rough. Therefore, your hair can look dull and frizzy.
Hard water in itself does not cause hair to fall out from the root, but it can weaken your hair over time due to factors mentioned above (ie dryness, breakage, scalp build up). Failure to manage this hard water buildup and damage can worsen the condition of existing hair problems, causing hair growth the more brittle breaking.
So while it may not be the main catalyst for hair loss, it's definitely a common thread!
What to Do If Hard Water Causes You To Lose Hair?
If you've lost a lot of hair on account of hard water, it is very important to act fast in order to stop more damage and return the health into your hair. Water that has a high mineral content such as calcium and magnesium (hard water) can dry out on the scalp forming onto our hair filaments, which leaves your hair looking dull, weakens it at its roots, causes clogged follicles and of course opens gateways to thinning.
If the hair loss is too excessive and there is no way to reverse it back, hair transplant can be helpful. Hair transplant is the process of moving hair to an area of your head that is thinning. It is a permanent and definitive solution to lost hair; it has the best possible results in terms of naturalness and durability.
However speak with a hair specialist or dermatologist to assess what is going on and the best treatment options for your condition.
Get Hair Transplant At Divine Cosmetic Surgery
Divine Cosmetic Surgery is aware of all the aspects like hard water problem in our scalp that affect hair healthy. If you have a hard water-related problem of hair thinning or loss in your life, our team of experts can help you find an appropriate solution.
Our skilled and professional team is here to guide you through the process of how you can get fuller hair, using technology that's state-of-the-art for maximum results. Book a consultation today and start your journey in hair restoration!
Conclusion
While hard water may not cause hair loss, it can definitely take a toll on your hair in general over time (i.e., continual breakage, dryness and scalp irritation). The result of these effects and others can lead to hair loss or observable change in hair quality. The good news is that there are multiple solutions: from water softeners and clarifying shampoos, to apple cider vinegar rinses; and hair transplants in case of excessive hair loss or balding.