Depending on where you moved from, you may notice that your hair has become dry, dull, discolored, or more easily tangled.

This can be caused by a combination of environmental stresses including sun exposure, salt water, chlorine…even the whipping around of your hair if you often drive with the windows down. Another major factor is that the water in your home likely contains a host of heavy minerals. By definition, the mineral rich water most of us have in this area is labeled “hard.”

While drinking hard water helps to create strong bones thanks to high concentrations of calcium and magnesium, it can cause scale to build up in pipes, valves, and appliances – especially the ones that change the temperature of the water.

If hard water scale is so easily damaging to household fixtures, imagine the havoc it wreaks on our delicate hair! 

Using a clarifying shampoo once a week is your best bet for hard water-affected hair. These specially formulated shampoos sometimes called “swimmer’s shampoos” contain ingredients that will bond to and remove chemical and mineral deposits. Be careful though - even the best clarifying shampoos can be drying, so they are not recommended for daily use. Make sure you use a deep conditioner afterwards to infuse moisture back in your hair.

Another alternative is to use a weekly apple cider vinegar rinse. 

It’s easy and inexpensive to make at home. For every cup of water you need to saturate your hair and scalp, add in four tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. After using your regular shampoo and rinsing thoroughly, tip your head back and slowly pour the mixture over your entire scalp and hair. Massage the mixture into your scalp, then allow it to sit for five minutes.

Rinse with cool water to help seal the cuticle, then use a bit of lightweight conditioner to finish the process.

INFO: Lindsay Mills-Steffe, Master Stylist and *Co-Creator* at Serendipia Hair Spa – www.facebook.com/serendipiahairspa/