When it comes to damaged hair, the effects of hard water on one’s hair, particularly its calcium content, cannot be ignored. Hard water's presence can exacerbate existing damage, weakening hair fibre and leaving them prone to breakage. Understanding the impact of calcium in hard water is crucial for maintaining healthy, vibrant hair.
The key to saving your hair from this hard water is hair and scalp decalcification. In this article, we’ll dive into the science behind why hard water is detrimental to your hair and the practical tips you need - including how to decalcify – in order to protect your hair from the perils of hard water.
Why Water Damages Your Hair?
Water is life, and it plays a crucial role in maintaining our overall well-being. However, when it comes to your hair, the type of water you expose it to can either be a blessing or a curse. Hard water is water that is high in minerals, predominantly calcium and magnesium.
When we think of hard water, we often think about limescale - that chalky deposit that builds up around taps and in the depths of your kettle - but when it comes to hair, it’s the calcium in hard water that is the real issue. Strange, right? Because when we think of calcium, we often link it to strong, healthy bones and teeth but when it comes to hair, calcium buildup is not your friend. It can, in fact, lead to a range of problems, including hair weakening and breakage.
What Type of Damage Can Calcium Cause to Your Hair?
Now that we know why calcium is good for our bodies but bad for our hair when exposed regularly,
here are 3 types of damage that calcium can cause to your hair:
STIFFNESS
Calcium reacts with the proteins in your hair fibers causing them to stiffen. This stiffness can make your hair feel coarse and difficult to manage, leading to more breakage during styling or brushing.
DULLNESS
Calcium can form a coating on your hair, making it look dull and lacking luster. This layer can prevent moisture on the hair shaft, leaving it dry and lifeless.
WEAKENED STRUCTURE
Calcium can weaken the protein structure of your hair, making it more prone to breakage. This is especially concerning for those with already damaged or porous hair, as it exacerbates the problem.
Hair Water Hair Care Tips: How to Decalcify your Hair and Protect it?
Hair decalcification is the process of removing the damaging calcium buildup from your hair. This hard water hair treatment is essential for maintaining healthy, lustrous hair, particularly if you live in an area with hard water.
There are several methods for hair decalcification, including specialised shampoos, conditioners, and treatments designed to dissolve and remove excess calcium. Regular use of these products can help restore the natural balance of your hair and prevent further damage.
Use a Water Softener
Installing a water softener in your home can be a game-changer. These devices work to remove the excess minerals from your water, leaving it softer and gentler on your hair.
Deep Conditioning your Hair
Using hair masks and conditioners will restore moisture and counteract the damaging hard water effects on your hair. Choose a mask that is enriched with amino acids, lipids and hydrating ingredients.
Shampoo (With Water) Less:
Avoid excess hard water exposure by helping your hair last longer between washes with Kérastase Fresh Affair Dry Shampoo.
These Products Could be for You!
To keep your hair looking its best, implement hair decalcification into your routine and use products designed to combat the impact of hard water on your hair. With the right routine and a little extra attention, you can keep your hair strong and healthy, even in areas with notoriously hard water.
Première Decalcifying & Repairing Pre-Shampoo Concentrate
A dual-action decalcifying and repairing pre-shampoo treatment for damaged hair. The Concentré Décalcifiant Ultra-réparateur removes calcium and reinforces hair strength, leaving it stronger, smoother, and shinier.
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Première Decalcifying & Repairing Shampoo
A rich, dual action hair damage repair shampoo that works inside and out to remove calcium and repair all types of damaged hair.
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Première Anti-Breakage & Repairing Mask
An anti-breakage & repairing hair mask for damaged hair that repairs & restores strength for all types of hair damage
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Première Anti-Frizz Filler Serum
A leave-in repairing anti-frizz hair serum for damaged hair. The Sérum Filler Fondamental works to seal and fill hair strands, and protect them from the heat of styling tools, leaving hair shiny and strong.
What Products to Use to Avoid Damaged Hair due to Hard Water?
Did you know, damaged hair absorbs 3x more calcium than healthy hair?
That’s where the new hair strengthening range, Première, comes in, as it has been specifically formulated to decalcify your hair fiber using citric acid and glycine – giving your damaged hair a mineral detox.
The Kérastase Première Concentré Décalcifiant Ultra Réparateur boasts the highest percentages of each ingredient: 3% citric acid to eliminate the calcium buildup, neutralising dullness and stiffness. This pre-shampoo hair treatment for hard water damage also has 5% glycine, an amino acid, that penetrates the hair to reconnect broken keratin links (caused by the calcium) to reduce breakage. The dual action repair, both outer and inner repair, can recreate 99%* of your hair’s original strength.
Sounds too good to be true - we know - but it’s not magic, it’s science. Find out how the Kérastase Première Concentré traps and eliminates the excess calcium with this experiment done by Edine Ahbich, Kérastase Scientific Director.
At-Home Decalcification Ritual
The key to the Première range is the power of layering to remove the calcium deposits from the outside and inside of your hair fibre. By layering our powerful Première clarifying pre-shampoo concentré with the shampoo, the active ingredients are able to penetrate the different layers of your damaged hair for optimal decalcification and mineral detox.
LAYER 1 - ACTIVATE
Start with the Kérastase Première Concentré Décalcifiant Ultra Réparateur, a pre-shampoo concentrate that is the clarifying hero of the collection. Use on slightly wet/damp hair and should not be rinsed before applying the shampoo (layer 2).
With 3% citric acid and 5% glycine, it decalcifies your hair reducing stiffness, boosting shine, recreating 99%* of hair’s original strength and reducing breakage by 93%*.
LAYER 2 - CLEANSE
Our Kérastase Première Bain Décalcifiant Réparateur Shampoo should be applied directly on top of the Concentré (you can add a little water to emulsify, if needed).
Its creamy texture and voluptuous foam gently cleanses away calcium overload and neutralises dullness and breakage. Hair is left healthier, shinier and renewed.
STEP 3 - TREAT
Once hair is towel-dried you can layer on the
Kérastase Première Masque Filler Réparateur Hair Mask.
The rich, creamy mask should be left on towel-dried hair for 5 minutes in order to penetrate fibers to repair and rebuild inner strength.
STEP 4 - FINISH
Calcium doesn’t just cause breakage, it enhances damage and dryness leading to frizz, so our Kérastase Première Sérum Filler Fondamental Hair Serum is designed to repel humidity and protect against heat up to 230 degrees.
As you strive for healthier hair, tackling hard water's effects on your hair is crucial. By understanding calcium's impact and employing effective decalcification methods, you can protect your hair from further damage. Whether through water softeners, professional treatments, or specialised products like those form our Kérastase Première range, prioritising hair care sets you on the path to revitalisation. Say goodbye to damaged hair and welcome vibrancy.
