Signs Hard Water Is Damaging Your Relaxed Hair

When most people think about hair breakage, they usually blame heat damage, lack of moisture, skipping trims, or too much manipulation.

And yes, all of those things can absolutely play a role.

But there's another issue that I don't think gets talked about enough in the relaxed hair community, and that's hard water buildup.

(This post includes affiliate links. Should you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may make a small commission.)

Because the crazy thing is, your hair can seem moisturized, your products can seem like they should be working, and yet your hair still feels dry, rough, tangled, brittle, or starts snapping off for seemingly no reason.

When that happens, it's easy to assume you need more products or that one of your favorites has suddenly stopped working.

Sometimes that is the case.

But sometimes the problem isn't the products themselves. It could be what is sitting on top of your hair, preventing those products from doing their job.

What is hard water?

Hard water is water that contains high levels of minerals, mainly calcium and magnesium. Depending on where you live, your water may contain a lot of these minerals.

When I lived in Florida, I had hard water running into my house. I couldn't tell just by looking at the water because hard water looks completely normal. I knew because it was a known issue in that area.

If you're not sure whether you have hard water, there are usually some clues around your house.

You may notice:

• White or yellowish buildup on faucets and showerheads
• Brown or reddish stains around the sink or shower drains
• Soap scum on shower doors and glass
• Soap or shampoo that doesn't produce many suds

Those same minerals causing buildup around your home can also build up on your hair.

How hard water can affect relaxed hair

Over time, minerals can create a coating on your hair strands.

That buildup can contribute to:

• Breakage
• Dryness
• Stiffness
• Dullness
• Scalp issues

And since relaxed hair is already chemically processed, it doesn't need another challenge to deal with.

1. Hair is difficult to keep moisturized

One of the first things I looked out for when I lived with hard water was how easy or difficult it was to keep my hair moisturized.

Think about trying to moisturize your hair while a mineral film is sitting on top of it. Your products may not absorb the way they normally do. Instead, they can sit on the surface of the hair.

The result? Hair that feels unusually dry and difficult to manage.

The few times I dealt with hard water buildup, I noticed my hair would feel dry shortly after moisturizing it. It became much harder to maintain moisture between wash days.

2. Hair tangles more than usual

Another sign I noticed was increased tangling. And tangles can absolutely lead to breakage.

The more tangled your hair becomes, the more manipulation is required to detangle it, and that additional handling can increase the chances of hair snapping.

3. Shampoo stops lathering

This was probably one of the biggest clues for me. Normally, when I have regular product buildup, my first shampoo lather might not foam very much. But by the second wash, I usually get plenty of lather.

That was true even when I lived with hard water. So I knew something was going on when I could shampoo my hair three times and still barely get any lather. That was usually my sign that hard water buildup had become an issue.

Other signs of hard water buildup

Some additional signs include:

• Frizzy hair
• Hair that won't hold a style
• Hair that looks limp or thinner than usual
• Excessive split ends

Of course, some of these are also signs of product buildup or protein overload. That's why it's important to evaluate what's going on and not automatically assume hard water is the culprit.

How to remove hard water buildup from relaxed hair

1. Pay attention to how your hair behaves

One thing I always try to do is pay attention to how my hair behaves during and after wash day.

I take notice of things like:

• Is my shampoo lathering?
• Does my hair feel rough after washing?
• Are my conditioners suddenly less effective?
• Is my hair no longer feeling soft?

Sometimes your hair gives you clues that something has changed.

2. Use a clarifying or chelating shampoo

One of the best ways to deal with hard water buildup is to incorporate a clarifying or chelating shampoo into your regimen.

These two types of shampoos are similar, but they aren't exactly the same.

Clarifying shampoos help remove product buildup. One example is the Ion Clarifying Shampoo available at Sally Beauty.

Chelating shampoos are specifically formulated to help remove mineral deposits left behind by hard water. The Ion Hard Water Shampoo is one example.

There are also some shampoos that blur the line between clarifying and chelating. I've recently started trying the L'Oréal EverPure Clarifying Shampoo, which says it helps remove residue caused by hard water exposure. Personally, I tend to think products like that lean more toward the chelating side, but that's just my opinion.

As helpful as these shampoos can be, they shouldn't be overused. Too much clarifying or chelating can strip away moisture and leave your hair feeling dry.

When I lived with hard water, I used a clarifying shampoo on a regular basis every few weeks. Doing that helped prevent mineral buildup from becoming a major issue.

Another option is to use one strategically whenever your hair starts feeling coated or your products suddenly seem ineffective.

3. Install a shower filter

A shower filter can help reduce the amount of minerals your hair is exposed to. 

I personally haven't used one, so I don't have a recommendation. But if you're considering one, I'd suggest reading reviews and finding something that fits your budget. 

Just keep in mind that a shower filter is more of a preventative measure. Once buildup is already on your hair, a chelating shampoo is what helps remove it.

4. Install a water softener

If you want a more permanent solution, installing a water softener can help. These systems reduce the amount of minerals throughout your entire home's water supply. They're definitely more expensive, but they can help with much more than just your hair.

5. Add back moisture to the hair

After removing hard water buildup, you'll want to replenish moisture. Clarifying shampoo, and especially chelating shampoos, can leave the hair feeling dry.

When I clarify my hair, I usually use the clarifying shampoo for my first wash and then follow up with a moisturizing shampoo for my second lather. I also make sure to finish everything off with a moisturizing deep conditioner. That combination has worked well for me.