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Are you suddenly experiencing too much hair fall these days? Trying out lots of medications and natural remedies, but nothing is working? You probably have not considered the type of water you are using on your hair as the culprit, have you? Unfortunately, it is not only you but most of us who cannot even think ‘water’ to be the root cause of our hair loss issue. But water can be the reason behind your excessive hair fall, and it is the bitter truth! Here is everything you need to know about different types of water, their impacts on our hair, and how to combat the issue.
How Does Water Affect Our Hair?
Certain types of bathing water are known to take a toll on our hair by causing severe damage and severe hair loss. In addition, when water contains lots of minerals (iron, copper, calcium, magnesium, etc.) and oxidizers, it becomes terrible for our mane.
According to experts, these minerals and oxidizers have positive electrical charges while our hair is negative. These positive and negative charges attract each other, affecting the scalp and weakening the hair. As a result, the hair fibers become dry, frizzy, and brittle. (1)
Apart from excessive hair fall, bathing water can also lead to dandruff, scalp infections, split ends, tangled hair, hair thinning, premature graying, and dull hair.
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Different Types Of Water And Their Impacts On Hair
There is a wide range of water, and many of them can make your hair fall. Here is a brief about different sorts of water and their impacts on hair: (2)
1. Very Hot Water
Many of us believe that using hot water during hair wash is beneficial for the overall health of our hair as it can keep the scalp and hair fibers clean, thereby leading to less hair fall. Well, the truth is that the application of very hot water onto your hair can affect it badly. It rips the natural moisture and other precious oils off hair fibers and makes them dry, coarse, and fragile. It also damages the scalp, which results in severe itchiness and dandruff. All these increase the extent of hair fall instead of reducing it.
2. Hard Water
Rinsing hair with hard water can also promote hair fall. This type of water is known to have many minerals like calcium, magnesium, silica, etc., dissolved in it, which snatch away the moisture present in the scalp and the hair strands. Thus, the scalp becomes excessively dry, resulting in dandruff. Also, the hair follicles get obstructed, leading to dryness, weakening, and breakage of hair.
3. Chlorine Water
Chlorine is mixed with water to keep it disinfected from bacteria and other water-borne harmful microbes. But regular usage of this chlorine water for washing your hair can increase the dryness of your hair and make it brittle. Hence, it is another reason behind frequent hair fall.
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4. Salt Water
Like chlorine water, saltwater also has significant adverse effects on your hair. It eliminates the moisture present in hair fibers and turns them rough and fragile. It can even lead to permanent hair loss.
5. Desalinated Water
As the name implies, it is the water from which salt content is removed. But still, it is extremely bad for your hair as it contains lots of sodium and chlorine. These can damage the roots of the hair and make the shafts weak and easy to fall out.
6. Rain Water
Well, rainwater is not as bad as other types of water. Therefore, it does not increase hair fall to that extent. But as the environment is getting highly polluted day by day, rainfall is also getting worse for our hair. It makes hair dry, frizzy, and tangled, resulting in hair fall.
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7. Groundwater
Rainwater that leaches through the soil and is stored under the ground or in the fissures of rock formations is known as groundwater. While passing through the earth’s layers, several minerals and harmful chemicals are mixed with this water, damaging our hair. Therefore, using groundwater for hair wash can add to the dryness and hair fall.
How To Identify Your Water?
Now, the question is, how to know that your bathing water is the culprit behind your excessive hair fall? For that purpose, you need to determine the hardness of your water. Well, it is pretty easy! All you need to do is take a cup of water and try to lather your soap in it. If it lathers well and gives you nice foam, you are good to go with it. But if it does not lather properly, be warned! You must avoid washing your hair in such water as it is hard.
Tips To Reduce Hair Fall Caused By Water
So, what should you do if you live in a place where the supplied water is not apt for bathing? Do not worry! There are ways to combat the situation and reduce your hair issues associated with it. Check them out: (3)
- Take a bucket full of water. Squeeze fresh lemon juice into it and add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar. Mix well and rinse your hair with it. Doing this regularly will help you rinse off your shampoo quickly by making the scale of your hair fibers lie down flat.
- There are shampoos and conditioners available in the market formulated exclusively to combat the harsh effects of hard water. Switch to them to restore the health and shine of your hair.
- Invest in a water softener machine. They are intended for eliminating the hardness of water, thereby alleviating the dullness and roughness of hair caused by it.
Also Read – Hair Fall? – 7 Ways Eucalyptus Oil Can Help You Forget It
Reference –
- “How to Treat and Prevent Hard Water Hair Damage” – healthline.com
- “Effects of Hard Water on Hair” – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “The Easiest & Most Effective Ways To Prevent Hair Loss Due To Hard Water” – mensxp.com