Hard Water and Hair: Damage, Symptoms, and Solutions
How hard water affects hair and the most effective treatments.
What hard water does to hair
Hard water minerals deposit on hair strands, creating a film that weighs hair down and makes it dry and brittle. Mineral buildup prevents moisture penetration, leading to dryness even with quality conditioners. Color-treated hair is especially vulnerable as mineral deposits shift color tones.
Signs of hard water hair damage
Waxy or straw-like feel after washing, difficulty rinsing shampoo, faster color fading, increased tangles and breakage, flat limp hair, and itchy scalp unresponsive to dandruff shampoo. If you recently moved and noticed a change, check your city's hardness.
Solutions
A whole-house water softener is the most effective option. Shower head filters with KDF media help partially. Chelating shampoos with EDTA remove existing buildup. None match a softener for effectiveness.