In addition to changes in diet and climate, hair loss is also a factor that cannot be ignored.
1. The difference between soft and hard water
Water hardness indicates the content of calcium, magnesium, iron, aluminum, zinc and other ions in the water, including carbonate hardness. Usually calculated in terms of Ca2+ and Mg2+ content, there are two units, one is expressed in milliequivalents per liter, and the other is expressed in degrees.
That is, 10mg Ca is equivalent to 1 degree in 1 liter of water. 0-4 degrees is very soft water, 4-8 degrees is soft water, 8-16 degrees is moderately hard water, and 16-30 degrees is hard water.
A simple understanding is that hard water is water with strong alkalinity, and the harder the water, the stronger the alkalinity, the more calcium and magnesium ions will be precipitated in the water, and the opposite of soft water.
When hard water is boiled, a lot of water alkali will be produced, that is, sediments visible to the naked eye, while soft water will not appear water alkali even if it is left for a period of time after it is boiled.
Hard water is particularly high in minerals (especially magnesium and calcium), and water hardness varies widely from region to region.
2. The relationship between water hardness and hair loss
The hardness of water does not have much effect on hair follicles and scalp, so it is not directly related to hair loss, but it will indirectly lead to hair fall through the following factors.
1. Effects on hair quality
An important effect of hard water on hair is that the water is irritating to the hair. People who have dyed or permed hair, or have oiled their hair will find that the effects of the treatment wash off quickly. The result is more frequent conditioning of the hair and further drying and damage to the hair.
So some people find that hard water can make the hair look thin or breakable, and when combined with frequent hair treatments, often results in increased dandruff and frequent itching.
2. Effects on detergent performance and hair cleaning
The calcium and magnesium salts contained in the hard water react with the surfactants in the detergent to form metal salt precipitation, which not only affects the cleaning effect of the detergent, but also absorbs part of the detergent residue and accumulates on the hair, making it difficult to rinse thoroughly. Calcium and magnesium ions in hair can cause hair to look dull and even dry and itchy scalp.
The effect that can be felt right after shampooing with hard water is that it is harder to comb. Many people who use hard water find that hair tends to become messy, difficult to groom, and prone to leaving behind a small amount of soap and shampoo residue.
This can cause grime to build up on the hair and scalp, leaving it dull and lifeless. When this build-up continues to build up, it can lead to overall scalp problems, and hair loss is inevitable.
