- Hayk Matsakyan
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Have you ever wondered if the water you use affects your hair? The quality of water plays a critical role in hair health. Hard water minerals, including chlorine, are contaminants that can cause brittleness, dryness, and hair loss. Therefore, it is important to understand the impact of water quality on your hair. Read on!
Water Quality and Its Components
Water quality is its physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. You can assess water through different parameters, such as the presence of contaminants. Common contaminants in water are:
Chlorine
Chlorine is a disinfectant used in water treatment. A 2022 study published by Springer Link shows that chlorine is an effective agent that can kill dangerous pathogens, but it reacts with organic matter to form by-products like haloacetic acids and trihalomethanes. These compounds can cause different health issues, including cancer and reproductive problems in women.
Hard Water Minerals
Hard water has higher levels of magnesium and calcium. Although these minerals are not dangerous in smaller quantities, excessive hardness can cause dry skin, eczema, and hair damage. One study also suggests that hard water can also cause heart diseases.
Heavy Metals
Mercury, lead, and cadmium are heavy metals in water. These heavy metals are due to agricultural runoff, industrial pollution, and aging infrastructure. These metals have high toxicity, causing severe health issues. These include kidney failure, neurological damage, and increased cancer risk.
Impact of Water Quality on Hair
One research study found that chlorine exposure can increase the friction between hair strands. So this can make your hair more prone to damage, thinning, and breakage. Chlorine can also interact with hair proteins, weakening the strand’s structure and leading to split ends.
Besides, hard water can cause mineral deposits on the hair. The accumulation of these deposits can clog your hair follicles and cause scalp irritation and dandruff. A study published by Euro PMC found that hard water can decrease the hair’s tensile strength and elasticity, making the strands prone to damage and breakage.
Similarly, heavy metals disrupt hair follicles’ normal structure and function, increasing shedding and reducing hair growth. A study conducted in Beijing, China, evaluated the impact of mercury and lead in hair samples. Researchers confirmed the negative effects of heavy metals in water on hair.
Signs Your Water Might Be Affecting Your Hair LOSS
Common symptoms of hair damage due to poor water quality are:
· Dryness and brittleness
· Frizziness and tangling
· Dullness and discoloration
· Scalp irritation
· Hair thinning and breakage
You can identify if the water quality is the culprit by checking for residues, monitoring hair products, and observing changes in hair texture. For example, if your hair feels sticky or has a filmy residue after washing, it is usually due to mineral buildup from hard water.
Besides, if your usual haircare products are less effective, it is due to mineral deposits preventing them from working appropriately. Moreover, notice changes in your hair texture, such as increased roughness or frizz. These issues are also due to hard water.
Focus on your scalp, and if you find persistent itching, dryness, or dandruff, these are the signs of irritation from water contaminants. Furthermore, you can conduct water quality tests at home to identify the presence of heavy metals or chlorine.
Final Words
Water quality can significantly impact your hair health. Heavy metals, hard water minerals, and chlorine can cause dryness and hair loss. Therefore, you must recognize these signs to prevent hair damage. Testing the quality of water is a crucial step in mitigating this issue.