Are you grappling with unexpected hair loss despite trying various medications and natural remedies? Surprisingly, the culprit might be the type of water you’re using on your hair. Water, often overlooked as a factor in hair loss, can contribute to the problem. Understanding the various types of water and their effects on hair is crucial. This comprehensive guide delves into the impact of water on hair health and provides insights on addressing the issue effectively.
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 hair loss. In addition, when water contains many 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 damaged. 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, many of which 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 applying boiling water to 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
Hair rinsed with hard water is susceptible to increased hair fall. Hard water is laden with minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and silica, which strip away moisture from both the scalp and hair strands. This excessive dryness can contribute to the development of dandruff. Additionally, the mineral buildup obstructs hair follicles, causing dryness, weakening, and eventual breakage of the hair strands.
3. Chlorine Water
Chlorine is mixed with water to disinfect it from bacteria and other water-borne harmful microbes. But regular usage of this chlorine water for washing your hair can increase its dryness 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 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 is removed. But still, it is awful 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 gets highly polluted daily, rainfall also worsens 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 washing can add to the dryness and hair fall.
How To Identify Your Water?
Now, the question is, how do you 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. You can use it if it lathers well and gives you nice foam. 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 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 two tablespoons of white vinegar. Mix well and rinse your hair with it. Doing this regularly will help you rinse off your shampoo quickly by flatting the scale of your hair fibers.
- Shampoos and conditioners are 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 to eliminate the hardness of water, thereby alleviating the dullness and roughness of hair caused by it.
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Summary
Certain types of bathing water can lead to severe hair damage and loss. Water with minerals like iron, copper, calcium, and magnesium, along with oxidizers, negatively impacts the scalp and weakens hair. The electrical charges of these minerals and oxidizers, which are positive, attract the negatively charged hair, resulting in dry, brittle hair fibers. Besides excessive hair fall, problematic bathing water can contribute to dandruff, scalp infections, split ends, tangled hair, hair thinning, premature graying, and dull hair. Different types of water, including boiling water, hard water, chlorine water, salt water, desalinated water, rainwater, and groundwater, have varying adverse effects on hair. Identifying water hardness and mitigating its impact, such as using specific shampoos or conditioners and employing water softeners, can help address hair issues caused by bathing water.
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