How to protect your hair from the ill-effects of hard water!

Suffering from severe hair fall? Don’t panic! There are several strategies you can try, to mitigate its effects. 

Let’s see how hard water causes hair fall. Hard water contains high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium, which can build up on your scalp and hair, leading to dryness, brittleness, and ultimately, hair fall. Here are a few remedies that may help you reduce, if not completely stop, the hair loss.

1. Use a Water Softener

• Install a water softener: This removes the excess minerals from hard water, making it softer and less damaging to your hair. It’s an effective long-term solution if hard water is a persistent problem in your area. There are some options available in the market like Kent, Aquaguard, and some local ones too.

Please see this link: https://www.kent.co.in/water-softeners/kent-bathroom-water-softener

2. Rinse with Filtered or Distilled Water (Optional)

• Final rinse with filtered water: After washing your hair, do a final rinse with filtered, distilled, or bottled water to remove any residual minerals left by hard water. This helps reduce the buildup that can lead to hair fall. This might be a bit inconvenient though.
• Install a shower filter: A shower filter can help remove some of the minerals from the water, reducing its hardness and minimizing its impact on your hair. In case you are looking for an economical solution, this is a 

3. Use Clarifying Shampoos

• Clarifying shampoo: Use a clarifying shampoo once a week to remove mineral buildup from your scalp and hair. However, don’t overuse it, as clarifying shampoos can cause dryness..
• Chelating shampoo: Consider using a chelating shampoo, which is specifically formulated to remove hard water minerals and other impurities from the hair. These are more potent than regular clarifying shampoos.

4. Condition Regularly

• Deep conditioning: Regularly deep condition your hair to restore moisture lost due to hard water. Look for conditioners as per your hair type.
• Leave-in conditioner: Apply a leave-in conditioner to help lock in moisture and protect your hair from mineral buildup.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) Rinse

Mix one part ACV with two parts water and use it as a final rinse after shampooing. ACV helps to balance the scalp’s pH and remove mineral deposits. Rinse it out with cool water after a few minutes.

6. Avoid Heat Styling

• Hard water already makes hair more prone to dryness and damage, so try to reduce the use of heat styling tools like blow dryers, straighteners, and curling irons.

7. Diet and Hydration

• • Balanced diet: Ensure your diet is rich in vitamins and minerals that promote healthy hair, such as biotin, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids. Basically, follow a balanced diet and get some exercise too.

• Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps keep your hair and scalp hydrated.

8. Consult a Professional

• Dermatologist or trichologist: If you continue to experience significant hair fall despite these measures, consider consulting a dermatologist or trichologist to rule out other underlying causes and get personalized advice.
• Consult a physician: He/she will ask you to undergo some tests to check for hormonal imbalances & nutrient deficiencies.

Please note: These remedies might work on some and not on others. The results vary from person to person.