772-283-4767Hard Water Causes Hair & Skin Problems
Since our bodies are made up mostly of water, one would think that there should be no problem when putting our bodies in contact with water. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. Atlantic Coast Water Clinic of South Florida would like to share some of the ways that water – particularly hard water – can have a damaging effect on your skin and hair.
What is hard water?
Hard water is untreated water, usually from a municipal water source. “Untreated” means it contains all of its natural calcium and magnesium. You don’t have to be a chemist to understand the effects of hard water:
- Spots on dishes, glasses and cookware
- Limescale buildups around faucets
- An earthy (maybe even dirty) aftertaste from the water you drink
- Layers of haze on shower walls and the tub
How hard water can harm your skin
People who complain of dry skin are often victims of the effects of hard water: there’s nothing wrong inside their bodies, but rather the problem lies entirely in the water. The calcium and magnesium in hard water react with the fatty acids in soap products to create chemicals that water can’t fully dissolve.
The result is a chemical layer on your skin, which can irritate it. This buildup leeches naturally occurring moisture from the skin, creating the hallmark dryness and itchiness that we commonly call “dry skin.” Along with skin problems, hard water can make it difficult to feel like your hair is being fully rinsed and cleaned.
Hard water and hair
An accumulation of hard water minerals in your hair can cause it to feel heavy and look dull. People spend a lot of money on hair treatments, new shampoos and the latest and greatest conditioners when all they might need is better water to wash their hair. In the worst-case scenario, repeated use of hard water to wash hair can cause significant calcium buildup on the scalp. This can lead to hair breaking and actually falling away.
People with existing skin conditions
Two skin conditions that don’t mix well with hard water are eczema and dermatitis. The chemicals in hard faucet and shower water can cause more frequent flare-ups of these conditions and generally make life miserable. For those with ultra-sensitive skin, even wearing clothes that were washed in hard water (and not fully rinsed, for the reasons listed above) can lead to a temporary worsening of an existing skin condition.
Solving the hard water issue
If you receive your household water from a local municipal source and are experiencing hair and skin problems, it’s a good idea to have your water tested.
There are test kits you can use, or you can have a water treatment company perform the test. The results will tell you if excess chemicals are making your water particularly hard. In this case, a water filtering system is an effective solution.
Whole-home water filtration systems clean out the hard water minerals as well as a large number of unhealthy contaminants and bacteria from the water entering your home. Many people find their skin and hair problems disappear when they start washing in clean, purified water.
Atlantic Coast Water Clinic specializes in the installation of water purification systems throughout Port St. Lucie, FL, Fort Pierce, FL, Hobe Sound, FL, and other South Florida communities. We know water, and we know how to solve water problems. Speak with a water treatment expert today at (772) 283-4767 or reach out through our handy contact form.