PSA: Tap water could be destroying your hair. Here's exactly what you need to know.

Hair plays a significant role in our daily lives. We know it's just hair, but anyone who's had a bad hair day will tell you it can really set the mood for the day.

So, as silly as it may sound to some, hair can have a profound impact on our emotions. When our hair looks good, it boosts our mood and elevates our confidence.

Image: Prime Video.

Many of us dedicate valuable time and resources to protecting our hair and exploring various products, hairstyles, and cuts in our quest for good hair. Safeguarding our strands is a significant commitment, involving expensive conditioners, treatments, sprays, and salon visits, all aimed at achieving our desired hair goals.

Unfortunately, much like our skin, hair can suffer from environmental elements like cold weather, harsh winds and never-ending humidity. Overexposure to these kinds of elements can lead to the hair feeling fragile.

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Similar to swimming in chlorinated pools and the ocean – the types of water we subject our locks to play a major role in our overall hair health and often we overlook our most consistent source of water: tap water. 

The effects of poor tap water can vary significantly depending on factors like the quality of your pipes, the main water source and the individual hair type. 

In an interview with the Sunday Edit, hair expert Shab Caspara explains: “The residue from hard water leaves hair not feeling as clean, this causes over-cleansing or over-showering with hot water to compensate.”  

Dermatologist Dendy Engelman shared the importance of understanding what’s actually living in your water, saying, “Tap water may contain minerals, oxidisers, calcium, magnesium, silica, and iron that can leave residue on the skin and hair, removing natural oils and causing buildup, dryness, and irritation,” in an interview with The Cut.

Tap water often contains minerals like calcium, iron and magnesium, which can leave deposits on the hair – making it feel dry or brittle and can even lead to hair loss over time. 

Chlorine, commonly used to disinfect water, can in large quantities strip the hair of its natural oils and lead to dryness and frizz – two things we are often trying to tackle with a hair wash.

Tap water can commonly have a high or low pH level, depending on the source) and because hair has a slightly acidic pH, this can be important to consider. Water that has a different pH level can disrupt the natural balance, stressing out your strands and leaving your hair looking and feeling like a mess.

The kind of filter we can get around. Image @Kaligirly.

Hair experts recommend taking measures to mitigate exposure to metals and minerals like installing a water filter or upgrading your shower head to one that can lift metals. This will help reduce the mineral content and chlorine in your tap water, allowing for a much gentler experience for your hair.

Understanding what products work best for you so you can get the biggest bang for your buck is essential. 

Depending on your water and your hair concerns there are a multitude of products that can help with detoxing metals like pre-shampoos or detoxifying rinses which can be used on a weekly basis to avoid buildup. This should always be followed by a hydrating conditioner, regular masks and the regular use of leave-in conditioners to combat dryness caused by tap water. 

Image: TikTok@Kaligirly,@Michaelscott/Prime Video.