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Does Hard Water Affect Your Skin and Hair?

Close view of someone on other side of glass shower door, using yellow sponge and soap to scrub off hard water stains.

 

Hard water contains high levels of dissolved calcium and magnesium. These minerals are unkind to your skin and hair, causing symptoms you’re bound to notice.

If your home relies on a well, you’re more likely to have hard tap water and a range of problems with your skin and hair. Explore some of the effects of hard water and how to protect yourself.

The Impact of Hard Water on Your Skin

Hard water strips away your skin’s natural oils, leaving it dry, tight, and itchy. The irritating minerals in hard water also cause redness and inflammation after showering, especially if your skin is sensitive.

Over time, hard water minerals may clog your pores, leading to acne and breakouts. If you have conditions like eczema or psoriasis, hard water may worsen your symptoms. The dryness also speeds up the formation of fine lines and wrinkles, making you look older than you are.

How Hard Water Affects Your Hair

Your hair suffers just as much. The minerals in hard water leave a residue behind, causing your hair to look dull and lifeless. This buildup can roughen the hair shaft, resulting in frizz and tangles that make styling a challenge.

Over time, your hair becomes brittle and prone to breakage. The minerals can also irritate your scalp, causing itchiness or dandruff. To make matters worse, shampoo doesn’t lather well in hard water, so washing your hair feels ineffective. If you dye your hair, expect the color to fade faster due to the harsh minerals stripping it away.

Protecting Your Hair & Skin From Hard Water

Now that you know the damage hard water can cause, how do you protect yourself? Water Doctor recommends several solutions to combat the effects of hard water on your skin and hair.

Whole-House Water Softeners

A whole-house water softener is the most comprehensive solution for hard water. This system exchanges the minerals in hard water with softer ions, like sodium, to create “soft” water.

 This prevents skin irritation and dryness and leaves your hair smoother and healthier. With a whole-house system, every faucet and showerhead delivers soft, skin- and hair-friendly water.

Showerhead Filters

Chlorinated public water can also affect hair and skin. A showerhead filter provides immediate relief from the effects of hard water by reducing chlorine. These filters are easy to install and remove a significant portion of the minerals that contribute to dryness and irritation.

 Reducing hard water exposure while showering helps your skin feel softer and makes your hair more manageable.

Specialized Hair & Skin Care Products

In addition to treating the water itself, you may want to use chelating shampoos and leave-in conditioners formulated for hard water. These products contain ingredients that bind to calcium and magnesium, helping to wash them away more effectively. This reduces the damage caused to your hair and restores its natural softness and shine.

Water Testing Services

Before investing in any water treatment, it’s essential to know exactly what’s flowing from the tap. Water Doctor offers residential water testing services to pinpoint the exact hardness level and identify other potential contaminants, from E. coli and iron to arsenic and pesticides.

Armed with this information, we can recommend the best water treatment options. Private well water is highly variable, so regular testing is recommended to ensure your water is safe and healthy.

Why Choose Water Doctor for Hard Water Solutions?

Water Doctor has been testing and treating hard water since 1979. We take pride in helping Maryland residents protect their homes, skin, and hair with high-quality water treatment solutions.

Our licensed and certified team has local knowledge and takes a personalized approach to ensure you get the right products for your needs.

If you’re in Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Howard, Baltimore, or Carroll County, contact us today to schedule a free consultation and water analysis.

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