The impact of hard water on wavy hair

If your waves feel dry, dull or limp no matter what products you use, your water could be the problem.

Many homes in the UK have hard water.

This can affect the look and feel of your hair.

Here’s what hard water is, what it does to wavy hair and how to protect your waves from its effects.

What is hard water?

Hard water contains a high amount of minerals like calcium and magnesium.

While these minerals aren’t harmful to your health, they can build up on your hair and scalp over time.

This invisible layer can make it harder for moisture and nourishing ingredients from your hair products to penetrate the hair shaft.

How hard water affects wavy hair

1) Build-up on strands

Minerals cling to your hair, making it feel heavy and coated.

2) Dryness

The build-up can block moisture from entering the hair shaft, leaving waves dry and brittle.

3) Frizz and tangles

Hard water roughens the hair cuticle, causing more frizz and knots.

4) Flat or limp waves

Extra weight from mineral build-up can pull down your wave pattern.

5) Faded colour

If you dye your hair, hard water can make the colour fade faster.

How to protect your waves from hard water

1) Use a clarifying shampoo

Once or twice a month, wash with a clarifying shampoo to remove mineral build-up.

Follow with a deep conditioner to restore moisture.

2) Install a shower filter

A shower filter can reduce the amount of minerals reaching your hair.

It’s one of the simplest long-term solutions for protecting your waves.

3) Rinse with filtered water

If your hair feels extra dry or dull, try a final rinse with filtered or bottled water after washing.

This helps remove lingering minerals and leaves hair softer and lighter.

Keep a jug of filtered water in your bathroom for quick rinses, focusing on mid-lengths and ends.

4) Keep hair hydrated

Use leave-in conditioner and regular hair masks to fight dryness.

Look for hydrating ingredients like aloe vera, glycerin or coconut water to help keep your waves defined and frizz-free.

5) Protect coloured hair

If you dye your hair, use colour-safe products and deep condition often to prevent fading from hard water.