Is Your Tap Water Ruining Your Hair?

22nd NOVEMBER, 2025

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Do you ever wonder why your hair feels dry or dull no matter what shampoo or conditioner you use? If you’ve tried them all, but the results are the same after showering, the culprit may be something entirely different.

 

Believe it or not, water quality could be the problem - and not your haircare routine.

 

Millions of people in the UK live in what is known as a ‘hard water’ region, and this can affect the overall health and appearance of both hair and skin.

 

But what does hard water do to your hair, and how can you prevent it? Read on to find out what’s really happening every time you wash your hair. 

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What Is Hard Water and Why Does It Matter for Your Hair?

Hard water is water that has a high concentration of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium. When rainwater filters through underground rocks such as chalk and limestone, it picks up these minerals as it travels. Eventually, it ends up as tap water, although it may also have picked up some other contaminants along the way.  

 

It’s easy to check with your water supplier whether you live in a hard water area. You may also notice the tell-tale signs, such as a build-up of white scale in your kettle or on your taps, or a kind of sheen on the surface of hot drinks.

 

This same build-up of minerals can affect your hair too. They can leave a deposit or film which clings to your hair and scalp. This can prevent moisture and nutrients from penetrating the hair shaft, which over time can lead to dryness and dullness.

 

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How Hard Water Damages Hair Over Time

The first time you wash your hair in mineral-heavy tap water, you probably won’t notice any difference. The problem is the cumulative effect of wash after wash, where your hair is being gradually damaged over time.

 

Mineral deposits in the water gradually coat each strand of hair, leading to brittleness and breakage. This residue can also stop nourishing conditioners and oils from doing their job, as well as stripping away natural oils. You might notice that over time, your hair becomes more porous, frizzy or prone to split ends.

 

People who colour or chemically treat their hair may notice the worst effects, as hard tap water can speed up the process of colour fading. 
 

Can Hard Water Cause Hair Thinning?

Hard tap water can contribute to hair thinning. The buildup of minerals can clog hair follicles, weakening new growth. It can also irritate the scalp and cause itchiness and/or dandruff, both of which can also affect growth.

 

Over time, dryness and breakages can also make hair appear thinner.

 

Does hard water cause hair loss? No, not directly from the roots, but it can cause more breakages which means more hair ending up in the shower drain and your hair appearing thinner. Ultimately, hard water can make hair more fragile in lots of different ways. 

Why Minerals Like Calcium and Magnesium Build Up on the Scalp

So why do minerals from hard water build up in your hair? It’s mainly because minerals like calcium and magnesium are dissolved in hard water and then crystallise on the scalp.

 

They react with cleansing agents like shampoos, making them less effective at washing away residue. This can form a stubborn film that is difficult to remove with regular washing. 

Signs Your Hair Is Suffering from Hard Water

Here are some of the signs that your hair could be suffering from the effects of hard water:

  • Your hair feels dry or rough, even after conditioning or using intensive hair repair masks
  • Your hair feels ‘sticky’ or tangles easily
  • You notice a lack of natural shine, so your hair appears dull and lifeless
  • Your scalp feels tight, itchy or flaky
  • Hair colour fades quickly after dyeing 
  • You notice white residue near the roots of your hair (you may also see that on shower-tiles, as it’s a sign of mineral-rich water)
  • Shampoos and other hair products don’t lather or rinse well, so they leave their own residue behind. 

How to Fix Hard Water Hair Damage

You don’t have to simply live with hard water and the damaging effect it can have on your hair (and skin). There are a few easy fixes you can try:

  • Rinse your hair with filtered water
  • Use clarifying shampoo once a week to remove mineral deposits and product buildup
  • Try chelating treatments - these are shampoos which contain active ingredients such as citric acid or EDTA which are able to dissolve minerals
  • Avoid product overload - using too many styling products can make things worse, as you’ll only be adding to the buildup of residue. 

Use a Shower Filter to Protect Hair Health

There are some things you can do to restore your hair to a healthy state after it’s suffered damage from hard water, but prevention is always better than cure.

 

One long-term, preventative measure you can take is to install a shower filter. This traps chlorine, minerals and other impurities before they reach your hair. This means no buildup of residue, no dryness and your haircare products working just as they should.

 

Our Curo Filtered Shower Head provides a cost-effective, easy-to-install fix for homes in hard water areas. It offers multi-stage filtration and improved water softness, so that your hair enjoys a softer texture, fewer breakages and a longer-lasting colour. You’ll also have a healthier scalp and less irritation.

 

It’s a simple upgrade to your haircare routine, but it could make an enormous difference. 

Tips for Restoring Shine and Strength

If you’ve lived with hard water for a number of years, your hair may need some time to recuperate - even after you’ve installed a shower filter.

Here are some of the ways you can replenish, repair and rejuvenate your hair:

  • Use deep moisturising masks or conditioners rich in argan oil, keratin or shea butter
  • Try apple cider vinegar or lemon rinses (once a week) to naturally balance your scalp’s pH and dissolve mineral traces
  • Limit heat styling, as this can make dryness worse. 
  • Get regular trims to remove brittle ends.

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