{"id":85713,"date":"2023-03-15T10:39:43","date_gmt":"2023-03-15T10:39:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elithair.com\/?p=85713"},"modified":"2023-03-15T10:39:43","modified_gmt":"2023-03-15T10:39:43","slug":"hard-water-hair-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elithair.com\/uk\/blog\/hard-water-hair-loss\/","title":{"rendered":"Hard Water & Hair Loss: What the Evidence Says"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What is Hard Water and How Common Is It in the UK?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hard water refers to tap water that contains elevated levels of dissolved minerals\u2014chiefly calcium (Ca\u00b2\u207a) and magnesium (Mg\u00b2\u207a).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water Hardness Scale (mg CaCO\u2083\/L)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Category<\/strong><\/td>mg CaCO\u2083\/L<\/strong><\/td>Commonly Found In*<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Soft<\/td>0-100<\/td>Parts of Scotland & North Wales<\/td><\/tr>
Slightly hard<\/td>100-150<\/td>Some Midlands areas<\/td><\/tr>
Moderately hard<\/td>150-200<\/td>Large parts of England<\/td><\/tr>
Hard<\/td>200-300<\/td>Southern and eastern England (chalk\/limestone geology)<\/td><\/tr>
Very hard<\/td>>300<\/td>Specific local supply areas<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
*Based on Drinking Water Inspectorate<\/a> and water-company data.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Map<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

To determine the hardness of the water in your home, there are several ways to do this. First, check your local council’s website to find out about the water quality where you live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A quicker and more effective way to check if you have scale in your water is to have a look at your taps and appliances. If you see white streaks or hard deposits, the limescale level is high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is Hard Water Bad for Your Health?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Limestone is actually quite beneficial to our bodies, despite its bad reputation. Drinking water rich in calcium and magnesium provides our bodies with essential minerals. What is limestone?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a mineral made up of calcium ions, carbonate ions or oxides, which covers the need for magnesium and fights against cardiovascular disease<\/a>. If limestone brings benefits from the inside, on the other hand, it can damage the outside of the body for the same properties, aggressive to our skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can Hard Water Cause Hair Loss?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Several studies<\/a> have shown that hard water exacerbates dermatological problems. In fact, a study by the University of Sheffield showed an increase in cases of dermatitis in people living in an area with high water hardness. The scalp can also be affected if a person has too much hard water in their home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, it is unlikely to be the main cause<\/strong> of true hair loss such as male-pattern baldness or female thinning. Dermatologists emphasise that genetics, hormones and follicle health remain the dominant drivers of hair loss. Therefore, think of hard water as a modifying<\/em> factor, not the root cause.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signs Your Water Might Be Affecting Your Hair<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you live in a hard-water area (see table above) and notice the following, water may be playing a part:<\/p>\n\n\n\n