Hard Water and Natural Hair

Hard Water

 Water that is high in  mineral content (in contrast with "soft water").

 Hard water is formed when water travels through deposits of calcium and magnesium containing minerals such as limestone, chalk and dolomite. If you are constantly battling scale, and soap scum in the bathroom, chances are your water is relativity hard. Water hardness is often not expressed as a molar concentration, but rather in various units, such as degrees of general hardness. Depending on where you live, your water may be hard. Hard water can effect the hair. Some with hard water complain of dry hair, hard hair, and lack of shine. Many curly girls, who have hard water, purchase a water purification kit, or they use ACV to rinse their hair of any additional mineral deposits. Using a diluted solution of Apple Cider Vinegar can remove hard water minerals built up on the exterior of the hair shaft, on top of the cuticle.

BEAT HARD WATER :  Use Diluted Apple Cider Vinegar to remove additional mineral deposits from the hair. 

Spring Water 

Bottled mineral water contains up to four times as much calcium and magnesium as regular tap water. Obtained from naturally occurring springs and, bottled at the source in glass or plastic bottles. Mineral water might include iron, magnesium, calcium or zinc. Perrier, for example, is a sparkling mineral water that contains calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, sulphate, fluoride and nitrate. These occur in varying amounts with the highest mineral content, aside from bicarbonate, being calcium.

Spray Bottle Tip: Use Distilled, or spring water in your water bottle if you are battling  hard water at home. This limits the amount of mineral buildup on your strands in between wash days. 

Distilled Water

 Water that has many of its impurities, and minerals removed through distillation.  Distillation involves boiling the water and then condensing the steam into a clean container.  The bottled brand, Smart Water is distilled water. Distilled water is great  for styling. I fill my spray bottle with distilled water, add conditioner, and oils, to create a Home Made Curl Refresher. 

Tap Water

 Municipal water supplies almost always contain trace components of minerals, at levels, which are regulated to be safe for consumption. Depending on where you live your tap water may contain several other minerals (e.g., fluoride, potassium, zinc). Most curly girls use regular tap water to tackle the cleansing needs for their hair. If your tap water is hard, opt to use spring water, or distilled water in your spray bottle to limit buildup.