{"id":138761,"date":"2022-04-13T02:03:00","date_gmt":"2022-04-13T09:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dherbs.com\/?p=138761"},"modified":"2022-05-17T01:01:49","modified_gmt":"2022-05-17T08:01:49","slug":"is-your-shower-water-making-your-hair-brittle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dherbs.com\/articles\/is-your-shower-water-making-your-hair-brittle\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Your Shower Water Making Your Hair Brittle?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Have you noticed a change in the feel or dryness of your hair? If you have not changed your hair care routine or the products in it, it\u2019s possible that the culprit is the water in your shower. How is this possible? Well, it\u2019s very common for people to experience thinning or brittle hair on the crown of the skull as a result of hard water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Water beats down on the crown of the head every time you are in the shower, making hair prone to breakage. Both water pressure and hardness can influence the state of your hair. As lovely as it may seem, a jet-like stream that shoots at the scalp can result in dryness and hair breakage. Hard pressure is great on your tense shoulders, but it\u2019s not intended for a sensitive area like your scalp. Although pressure does contribute to the health of your hair, the hardness of water seems to play a larger role than you think. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hard water is water that has a high mineral content. It tends to be higher in calcium, magnesium, and trace amounts of other minerals. These minerals accumulate in the water cycle, and it can happen with well water or city water. The more calcium and magnesium that dissolve in the water, the harder it becomes. Hard water<\/strong> can leave ugly stains on sinks and tubs and can cause higher water bills, as water appliances have to work harder. If your water is hard, you may notice or feel like a film of residue is left on your skin after using soap. Soap reacts with the calcium in the water and forms soap scum, i.e. the film that you notice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Hard water won\u2019t kill you, but it can negatively affect the hair and skin. According to a 2016 study, female participants found that hard water damaged hair. The study monitored women who washed hair samples in both hard water and distilled water for 30 days. At the end of the study, hair washed in hard water decreased in thickness and had a ruffled appearance. Additional symptoms included tangles, breakage, dryness, dullness, and frizziness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The higher magnesium and calcium content in hard water can change the skin\u2019s pH balance. This can ultimately alter the skin\u2019s microbiome, which prefers a more acidic pH of about 5.0. Hard water tends to dry out the skin and make it more sensitive, and drying out the scalp<\/a> can decrease the health of your hair. The damage may not seem like a big deal straight away, but hard water can have long-term effects, affecting hair\u2019s appearance<\/strong> and longevity. It\u2019s beneficial to take steps that help you either counteract hard water or avoid it completely. That may require calling a professional to help solve your hard water problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Soft water is the opposite of hard water and although it contains some minerals, the concentration<\/a> is much lower. Cleaner and healthier water means that it won\u2019t damage your hair and scalp as much. The best way to achieve softer water is by installing a water softener in the home, but this can be quite expensive. A simpler, cost-effective alternative is to install a water softener shower head, which has carbon-filled cartridges that remove the minerals from the water before it cascades onto your body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to combat the damage from hard water, you have to start at the scalp<\/a>. A mixture of distilled water, apple cider vinegar, and citrus juice is one of the best ways give life to the scalp. Apple cider vinegar helps to lower the pH of the skin and contains hair-healthy vitamins, including vitamins B<\/a> and C. <\/p>\n\n\n\nHow Does Hard Water Affect Hair?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Install A Water Softener Shower Head<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Try A Citrus Vinegar Rinse<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Use A Hair Mask<\/h2>\n\n\n\n