What is hard water?
Hard water is higher in minerals, that can bind on your hair and weigh it down, dry it out, and damage it. “Magnesium and calcium are two of the most common and abundant metals found in tap water across the world,” says celeb hairstylist and Ouidad brand ambassador Irinel de Leon. “When water sources contain high volumes of those two metals, it’s often called hard water,” she says.

If you generally tend to get white buildup on your taps and showerheads, you in all likelihood have hard water. Hard water may be damaging to all hair types, however, for fine hair it is especially disastrous (that is already susceptible to buildup) and/or curly hair (that is already naturally dry).

What does hard water do to the hair?
Hard water buildup usually results in flat, lifeless, greasy, and dry hair, as well as a variety of scalp issues, depending on your hair type. “Hard water can coat curly hair with a film of mineral buildup, leaving it feeling filmy and straw-like, as well as stretching curls, causing them to go limp,” says de Leon. “The same thing can happen to your scalp—follicles can become blocked, affecting hair growth and the consistency of your curl pattern.”

How do I solve this problem?
Thankfully, there are approaches to combat the negative effects of hard water on the hair. Installing a water softener is one option, however, it’s pricey. Instead, there is an option of installing a water-filtering showerhead head, like the T3 Source Mineral Water Filter or the Pure Action Water Softener Shower Head, that can filter a number of the harsh minerals as you cleanse.

There is an easy DIY way to combat this problem: apple cider vinegar. Because ACV is packed with herbal acids that help to dissolve product buildup whilst additionally soothing irritated, itchy scalps. It’s a great clarifier, making it ideal for curly hair types.

Here’s an easy recipe to try:

1. Mix one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with two cups of water in a cup
2. After washing your hair with shampoo, tip your head back and pour it over your hair and massage it into the scalp
3. Let it sit on your hair for 2-3 minutes, then wash out and follow with the conditioner you usually use. Repeat weekly or when needed.

Cardy B recently revealed her secret to long shiny hair. Read about it here!