Is Hard Water Ruining Your Hair (and Shower)? Do This Before It Gets Worse

Limescale all over your shower head and inside your kettle, brittle hair, and drier skin are just some of the unfortunate effects of living in an area with hard water. High concentrations of dissolved minerals in your water supply, such as calcium and magnesium, result in a chalky residue covering your tiles and fixtures, which also leaves your hair more vulnerable to breakage. Cities like New York have the added issue of older pipes introducing rust and contaminants, which further exacerbate the damage to your hair, skin, and bathroom suite. Installing an entire filtration system to the water supply is expensive and most likely not an option if you rent. There are, however, a number of steps you can take to keep your hair and skin soft and shiny and your tiles glistening. 

Install a Shower Water Filter 

Over time, the minerals build up on your hair and tiles, meaning any product used over them first has to fight through a layer of grime. Installing a shower filter helps to reduce the damage, leaving you with less residue to scrape off your shower fittings, hair, and scalp. If you have a glass shower, the difference is visible immediately, and if you have colored hair, it should extend its vibrancy, meaning fewer touchups.“Think of it as your first line of defense,” says Gloria Bonilla, senior colorist at Ollin NYC Salon. “It’s not perfect, but it makes a noticeable difference.” The Jolie filtered showerhead is a favorite of some Better Report staffers. It’s easy to install and looks good too. Bonilla recommends Sproo’s Shower Filter Set, which offers filtration, a handheld showerhead, and a fun color upgrade. 

Jolie Filtered Showerhead

Sproos Handheld Showerhead

Mineral Remover Treatment 

If your hair is already weakened from extensive washing with hard water, using a mineral remover treatment regularly helps to prevent any further damage. They work by pulling out minerals that have already built up on the hair, allowing other products such as conditioners and serums to penetrate the strands and work more effectively. “There are a lot of great options out there now, but The Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Remedy is one of my favorites,” says Bonilla.

The Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Remedy

Use a Clarifying Shampoo 

Clarifying shampoos work specifically to remove metals like copper, nickel, cadmium, lead, zinc, and iron, which can wreak havoc on your hair. If you are blonde or gray, you may notice your strands start to have a muddy or yellow cast to them, due to exposure to these metals. You don’t need to use a clarifying shampoo every wash; once a week should be sufficient to prevent your hair from becoming dull-looking and help maintain its body. Bonilla recommends the K18 Peptide Prep Detox Shampoo, which is color-safe and also works to provide a deep cleanse to the scalp. 

K18 Peptide Prep Detox Shampoo

Finish Off Your Wash Routine With Micellar Water

While a filter in your shower takes care of your hair, but you might not always wash your face in the shower. Installing one in your bathroom sink may be slightly trickier, depending on the positioning of your taps and faucet. The easiest solution to protect the skin on your face from the drying effects of hard water is to invest in a bottle of micellar water. Once you have removed your makeup, cleansed, and washed as normal, go over your face with micellar water applied on a cotton pad, to remove any residue and reset the skin’s Ph balance. If you suffer from redness or breakouts, this simple step can help to soothe and calm your complexion. 

Deep Clean with White Vinegar

If your home has hard water, you are probably at your wits’ end trying to keep your bathroom looking clean. It only takes one shower to cover your freshly scrubbed tiles in that pesky chalky residue, with dark-colored bathroom suites and glass shower doors being particularly hellish to keep stain-free. The best cleaning agent to tackle limescale is, in fact, white vinegar. This relatively affordable cleaning hack effectively breaks down mineral deposits through its acidity, allowing them to dissolve and wash away. For best results, decant the white vinegar into a spray bottle, spritz your shower, and leave for a few minutes before wiping and rinsing clean.