Even though many of us don’t think much about the quality of water, we have heard some mention hard water/soft water. In fact, I personally thought of hard water being more useful to ensure more adequate rinsing. So, when it comes to our hair, I really thought hard water is better when it comes to rinsing shampoo and conditioner from our hair. I’m sure many others thought the same way.
So, does soft water, made soft through water softener salt, cause hair loss? The answer is a resounding ‘no’! And upon reading this article, you will see why soft water is actually good for our hair.
What is Water Softener Salt?
Water softener salt is similar to the salt we use for cooking, and it’s usually made of sodium chloride. Otherwise, the alternative to making water softener salt is potassium chloride. It also comes in various forms. This water softener replaces magnesium, calcium, and soft water minerals that are associated with hard water with sodium chloride or potassium.
What is Water Softening?
A water-softening system in our homes works by using a resin to run hard water through. The substance is insoluble and sticky that comes from certain plants and trees coated with positively charged sodium ions. With these net-electric charged molecules, the concentration of sodium chloride or potassium chloride will replace the calcium and magnesium in the water.
Water softening units must have routine maintenance. Also, sodium or potassium pellet must be added to maintain an electrically charged resin. Also, some systems use citric acid, magnets, or products to reduce the concentrations of magnesium and calcium in the water.
Why is Soft Water Good for Our Hair?
The penetration of the hair shaft occurs easier with soft water than with hard water. And as a result, the hair will have a softer and shinier appeal.
So, if a person’s hair feels thinner, there are more likely other situations contributing to that. Even if it’s due to shampooing with soft water, that just means that person must spend a longer time rinsing out her/his hair to ensure all the shampoo is rinsed out.
Many individuals may have noticed a change in their hair if they relocated from one area with hard water to another area with soft water. However, in general, this situation is not related to the amount of hair a person has or if it’s falling out. It has more than likely to do with the person’s hair quality or generally other changes, such as environmental changes, changes in stress or diet, etc.
When it comes to moving or even starting a new job, the stress of moving may take a toll and even lead to a poor diet around that time. It could even be the type of shampoo/conditioner the person is using, especially if he/she recently changed to another brand of shampoo/conditioner. And as mentioned before, people may not be rinsing out their hair products thoroughly.
Using Hard Water on Our Hair
Hard water has a high mineral count. And in contrast, a high mineral count may lead to hair aggravation, thus leaving the hair dry and brittle.
Hard water may have the appearance of having more volume or structure. And because of that, many of us are or have been deceived thinking that hard water is better for our hair when it comes to rinsing out shampoo/conditioning. Many of us that have or had that type of thinking don’t or didn’t think that dull-looking hair is a result of all the minerals, like calcium and magnesium, that are in hard water. These high levels of minerals, however, build upon the hair follicles and hair that lead to dry hair, hair breakage, and hair-splitting.
Benefits of Hair Washing with Soft Water
Beauty experts and hair professionals prefer soft water for different reasons. One reason is due to soft water not having heavy minerals that make our hair to be less resilient to changes, like diet or stress. Heavy minerals may also cause hair damage, as previously mentioned. Secondly, soft water generally helps our hair to look softer, shinier, and less damaged due to soft water’s ability to more thoroughly penetrate our hair follicles.
So, to be gentler on our hair, soft water more quickly and easily lathers the hair. And thus, we don’t have to use as much of the hair products as we would with hard water.
How can we Tell if Our Water is Soft or Hard?
It is usually hard to tell whether the water is soft or hard, just by looking at it. However, the feel of water and what it does to the items in our washing machine or dishwasher sometimes determines the water quality. Thus said, the following include signs of hard water:
- A Feeling of Film on the Hands
Soap scrum occurs as the soap reacts with the calcium. And as a result, the film can be felt on the hands.
- Spots
Calcium carbonate deposits may appear on the silverware and glasses when taking them out of the dishwasher.
- Mineral Stains
When taking the clothes out of the washing machines, mineral stains may show on the clothes. Also, the harshness of hard water may wear out clothes faster.
- Less Water Pressure
Mineral deposits may form in the pipes of the home thus essentially shrinking the pipe’s interior diameter in the home. They can also reduce the water flow in the home.
The signs of soft water are as follows:
- A Healthy Lather
This occurs when washing the body, clothes, and dishes.
- Cleaner Clothes
The clothes will have less wear and tear damage as well as no mineral stains.
- Healthy Water Pressure
Thus, with all these benefits, the home would have healthy water pressure.
- A Slight Taste of Sodium
The drinking water in many cases may have a slight difference in taste.
Conclusion
The bottom line is soft water doesn’t cause hair loss. In fact, beauty experts and hair professionals prefer soft water for different reasons. The penetration of the hair shaft occurs easier with soft water than with hard water. And as a result, the hair will have a softer and shinier appeal. As opposed to hard water, hard water has a high mineral count, and a high mineral count may lead to hair aggravation, thus leaving the hair dry and brittle. So, if we have hard water, getting a water softener system is key.
