Hard water and soft water: what does it mean for thin hair?

The side effects of washing your hair in hard water might surprise you. Water quality is not something that you might not normally link to hair-related issues. However, the impact and possible damage that hard water could be doing to your thin hair is surprising, if maintaining health and avoiding damage to your thin hair is important to you, then this article is a must-read! 

• What is hard water?
• Impact of water quality on thin hair
• How to protect thin hair from hard water?
• Hard water effects on thin hair 

Depending on your location in the UK, your tap water may be either hard or soft. Approximately 65% of the UK's tap water is classified as hard, which means over half of UK households could be washing their hair with hard water. Knowing whether your tap water is hard or soft is important because hard water can cause several issues, especially for those with thin hair. Hard water can be particularly disruptive if you're trying to improve your hair and scalp health. In this article, we will explain what hard water is, how hard water affects thin hair, and what steps you can take to support your thin hair if you have hard water in your home.

What is hard water?

Hard water has a higher than normal pH level, the increase in pH level is caused by traces of mineral deposits in the water, such as calcium and magnesium. These minerals often come from the soil and rocks as water makes its way through the ground and into our homes. While hard water is thought to be safe to drink, it can cause various issues for our hair. These mineral deposits can transfer onto your hair and scalp when washing. A build-up of these minerals is what can start to cause problems for your hair health.

Why is Soft Water better for thin hair?

Soft water has a low concentration of minerals and is therefore much better for your hair health. Soft water has many more benefits for your hair, such as the ability to lather much better when washing with shampoos. Soft water can penetrate the hair shaft more easily and leaves hair looking shiner, softer and healthier, which is a major priority if you have thin hair. 

Impact of water quality on thin hair

If you are experiencing issues such as dryness, frizz, a dry scalp, dandruff, discolouration of coloured hair, hair breakage, or generally weak and brittle strands, hard water might be the cause. These problems can be particularly noticeable and distressing if you have thin hair. Thin hair, known for its sparse appearance and delicate nature, can suffer even more from the effects of hard water, making it look thinner and break more easily.

Mineral build-up on hair follicles

Mineral build-up on thin hair can lead to numerous problems that significantly affect the feel of your hair and appearance. The accumulation of minerals can weigh down the hair, making it look dull and lifeless. This buildup can clog hair follicles, disrupting the natural growth process and potentially leading to hair thinning and loss. This is especially detrimental to those with hair, which is already thin, where regrowth is crucial for a fuller appearance. 

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Mineral deposits can also disrupt the delicate pH balance of the scalp, resulting in itchiness, dryness, and increased susceptibility to scalp infections. In addition, mineral buildup can also cause discolouration in dyed hair. Mineral deposits cling to the colour, affecting its appearance. A buildup of minerals such as iron and copper can result in an orange tint, which is especially noticeable in blonde hair or highlighted hair. This discolouration can also affect human hair clip-in extensions as well as professionally fitted semi-permanent extensions such as tape hair extensions. 

Women who wear clip-in extensions to enhance their hair thickness should avoid washing their hair in hard water to safeguard the colour. 

How to protect thin hair from hard water?

Hard water can be damaging to thin hair, but there are steps you can take to help protect your thin hair from the negative effects of hard water;

Use a Chelating Shampoo, these are designed to remove mineral buildup from hard water. We recommend using a chelating shampoo once a week if you have hard water in your home or, as needed to prevent mineral buildup. Look for shampoos labelled as "Chelating" or those specifically designed to combat hard water effects.

Install a shower filter to significantly reduce the amount of minerals and other impurities in your water. These filters typically use some kind of filtration feature to reduce chlorine, heavy metals, and other contaminants. They are easy to install and can be attached directly to your showerhead. Some popular brands include AquaBliss, Culligan, and AquaHomeGroup.

After washing your hair, give it a final rinse with purified or distilled water to remove any remaining hard water residues. Keep a jug of purified or distilled water in your bathroom. After your regular shampoo and conditioner routine, pour the purified water over your hair as a final rinse. This helps to wash away any lingering minerals and prevents buildup on your hair strands.

Top Tips for protecting thin hair against hard water

• Conditioning: Use a good quality conditioner to help lock in moisture and protect your hair from the drying effects of hard water.
• Leave-In Treatments: Apply leave-in conditioners or hair serums that are designed to protect against environmental damage.
• Diet and Supplements: Ensure you're getting adequate nutrition, including vitamins and minerals that support hair health, like omega-3 fatty acids.

Hard water effects on thin hair 

The damaging side effects discussed in this article highlight the importance of understanding and addressing the issues associated with mineral buildup on thin hair, as doing so can help you maintain healthy, vibrant, and voluminous locks. In summary, the absence and reduction of mineral contact will ultimately protect your thin hair from a long list of negative effects and improve the appearance and texture of thin hair.