A lot of extra things get mixed in with tap water. We don’t often think much about it, but metal is often present in trace amounts. This can include iron, copper, calcium, and magnesium. So, what happens when you wash your hair with water contaminated with metal? We’ll now explore a few possibilities.
Hair Can Become Brittle
Iron can leach moisture from your hair and body. With little moisture retained, your hair can become dry and brittle and completely lose its soft texture. It will feel rough to the touch. Dryness can also cause inflammation of your scalp and make it more susceptible to flakiness.
Hair Can Become Discolored
Oxidized iron can darken light hair. It can also leave behind an orangey-red tint in darker hair. Copper, which can behave as both an antioxidant and pro-oxidant, may cause your hair to gray prematurely. Overall, metals act on your hair at the cellular level to change its fundamental properties. Many of them can cause it to look dull.
Hair Can Look Greasy and Dirty
The deposits left behind from dissolved minerals weigh down your hair. As a result, it may start to feel dirty and sticky. Hair ends can also start to split and break. This doesn’t look very good no matter how thorough you are when washing your hair. Eventually, it can become so fizzy, split, and easily tangled it’s virtually unmanageable.
Hair Can Become Thinner
When metals and minerals bind to hair, it becomes more brittle and less elastic. Not only may this cause hair to become more prone to breakage. A buildup of minerals can clog hair roots and prevent new hair from growing. The result may seem like your hair is falling out.
Can The Effects of Metals on Hair Be Reversed?
If you’ve been washing your hair with water contaminated with metals, the effects are usually not permanent. A good-quality shampoo can help improve the health of your hair. You can also install a shower filter to reduce water hardness. It can protect your hair and lessen the amount of calcification in your shower.
An acidic rinse can decrease mineral buildup. You can create one by adding lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to filtered water. A good mixture is one tablespoon of vinegar/juice per three cups of water. Leave it in your hair for five minutes and then rinse it out thoroughly.
Washing your hair with distilled water is another way to avoid hard water/metal damage. Captured rainwater can be used as well; just be sure to collect it from a clean surface.
Other Risks of Using Contaminated Water
Iron and other metals in contaminated water won’t only affect your hair. They can dry out your skin, which may require artificial moisturizers to replace what has been taken away. If your skin becomes saturated with iron, it can also wrinkle prematurely. Clogged pores can result as well, which may cause or increase acne.
In addition to your health, metals like iron in water can stain and discolor clothing. Permanent damage can result, and clothes can be ruined. Using iron-contaminated water for cooking can cause food to become bitter and darker. Metals can also cause pipes to corrode and clog up more easily.
Call Doug’s to Deal with Your Hard Water Problem
If your hair has become brittle, discolored, or thinner, and/or your water tastes metallic, dishes and clothes aren’t getting clean, or there are signs of mineral buildup on faucets/showerheads, we can help. Water softening systems can filter out calcium and magnesium. We also install various types of water filtration systems including water ionizers, reverse osmosis systems, and carbon filters. To schedule service in Houma, Thibodaux, and surrounding areas, call Doug’s Service Company at 985-313-9884.
