Hard water is one of the worst things for your hair. If you’ve ever experienced dull, lifeless, and brittle hair, hard water could be the culprit. The high mineral content, particularly calcium and magnesium, can wreak havoc on your hair’s health, leading to significant damage. Understanding the effects of hard water and how to combat damaged hair is crucial for maintaining healthy, beautiful hair.
How Hard Water Damages Your Hair
When you wash your hair with hard water, the calcium and magnesium present in the water interact with your hair and scalp. These minerals form a scaly film on the hair, which prevents moisture from penetrating the hair shaft. This leads to dryness and brittleness, making your hair more prone to breakage. The scaly buildup also causes the hair to become dull and lifeless, as it no longer reflects light effectively.
On a deeper level, hard water’s calcium deposits make the hair cuticle rough and uneven. This roughness increases friction between hair strands, exacerbating tangles and split ends. Furthermore, damaged hair is more porous and absorbs three times more calcium than healthy hair, compounding the issue. The excessive calcium weakens the internal structure of the hair, making it even more fragile. This dual impact—external buildup and internal weakening—leads to significant, noticeable damage that can be challenging to reverse without the right treatment.
How to Treat Hard Water-Damaged Hair
All is not lost if hard water has damaged your hair. Adopting a targeted hair care routine can significantly repair and restore your hair’s health. Using specialised products designed for damaged hair is essential. Kérastase’s Première range is particularly effective in treating and preventing further damage caused by hard water. This collection focuses on removing calcium buildup and repairs damaged hair from within.
First up is their pre-shampoo treatment, the Première Concentré Décalcifiant Ultra-Réparateur.
Hard water with calcium can further damage already delicate dry, over-processed, or bleached hair. This treatment’s high concentration of pure acids decalcifies hair from calcium overload and repairs it from the inside out. It restores hair strength and reverses its stiff, dull appearance, making it an essential step in damaged hair repair.
Next is the Première Bain Décalcifiant Réparateur
This sulphate-free damage repair shampoo gently cleanses the scalp and hair while removing calcium. It repairs hair from the inside out, reduces breakage, and restores health. The shampoo transforms into a luxurious foam, fighting calcium overdose and restoring keratin links within the hair shaft. Your hair will feel smooth, manageable, shiny, and bouncy.
A conditioning treat with Première Masque Filler Réparateur Hair Mask
Damaged hair absorbs too much calcium, leading to weakness inside and outside the hair fibre. This decalcifying mask, with its creamy texture, delivers deep conditioning to maximise hair recovery. It rebuilds the hair structure, smooths the surface, and significantly reduces breakage, restoring your hair to its healthiest, strongest state.
Lastly, the Première Sérum Filler Fondamental
A lightweight leave-in treatment, this serum repairs damaged hair from within, leaving it glossy and supple. It seals the cuticles to shield hair’s surface and fills the fibre, reinforcing hair strength. This dual action protects hair from calcium damage, humidity, and heat up to 230°C. It eliminates frizz, leaving your hair smooth, supple, and easy to style.
It’s true that hard water can cause significant damage to your hair, making it dry, brittle, and lifeless. However, with the right hair care routine and specialised products, such as those from Kérastase’s Première range, you can effectively repair and prevent further damage. These products are formulated to remove harmful calcium buildup and restore your hair’s natural strength and beauty. By incorporating these treatments into your routine, you can achieve healthier, more resilient hair despite the challenges posed by hard water.
