Can Hard Water Cause Hair Loss?: Prevention & Treatment Options

Washing your hair helps keep it healthy, but could the water you’re washing it with be causing damage at the same time? And really, can hard water cause hair loss?

While most men experience hair loss due to a hormone-related condition called androgenic alopecia (read: male pattern baldness), other causes of hair loss include stress, medications, and chemical exposure.

According to some research, hard water — water with a relatively high mineral content — can cause hair loss as well, though it more commonly causes hair breakage and other forms of damage.

Below, we dig into the science behind hard water and hair health, as well as the potential relationship between hard water and hair loss. 

A water’s hardness correlates to its mineral content. Hard water usually has a large amount of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium, giving it a different feeling against your skin than ‘regular,’ low-mineral tap water.

If you have hard water at home, you may notice spots or a cloudy, film-like texture developing on your dishes. You may also notice a thin film of residue when you wash your hands using soap.

The hardness of water is measured by its calcium carbonate content. Water that contains less than 60mg of calcium carbonate per liter is classified as soft. The following measurements are used to measure moderate to very hard water:

• A calcium carbonate content of 61 to 120mg per liter is classified as moderately hard

• A calcium carbonate content of 121 to 180mg per liter is classified as hard

• A calcium carbonate content of more than 180mg per liter is classified as very hard

Water hardness can vary depending on location. Research shows that areas in the Southwest, Midwest, and certain parts of the Northeastern United States typically have the highest levels of calcium and other minerals in groundwater.

Some domestic wells and water sources in other parts of the country are also affected by hard water.

While these minerals don’t pose significant health risks as part of your drinking water, they can be tough on your hair follicles.

Hard water refers to water with high mineral content, particularly the minerals calcium and magnesium, and while your body needs these minerals to function, they might damage your hair strands when you wash your hair in them frequently.

Scientific research on the effects of hard water on hair is mixed. Although some studies have concluded that hard water weakens hair and changes its appearance, other, less convincing studies have found that washing your hair in hard water has no effect on strength or elasticity.

Research also suggests that if you have a skin condition that can cause hair loss, such as eczema or psoriasis, hard water may worsen your symptoms.

It’s unclear exactly why this happens. Some research suggests that a poor water quality can strip your hair’s natural oils, which could lead to increased frizz, dandruff, and other conditions associated with dry hair and scalp inflammation.

Hard water may also cause changes in hair texture, making some hair types more brittle while exposing others to more frequent tangles, both of which are potentially dangerous places for your follicles to be, according to hair care experts.

According to research that found a connection between hard water and hair damage, those high mineral concentrations and the resulting mineral buildup could have a number of effects on your hair’s health, including causing:

• Dryness

• Damage

• Breakage and split ends

• Hair loss

• Frizziness

• Fading hair color

• Scalp conditions

Current research doesn’t definitively prove that hard water causes hair loss. However, some studies have found that the minerals in hard water could cause your hair to become weaker — a change that may lead to breakage and thinning.

For example, one study published in the International Journal of Dermatology involved washing 10 to 15 hair samples in either hard water or distilled water. The hairs, which were cut into two equal lengths, were washed in either type of water on a daily basis over 30 days.

At the end of the 30 day period, the hairs washed in hard water contained a significantly larger amount of calcium carbonate. They were also approximately seven percent thinner than the hairs washed in distilled water.

It’s important to note that this study was carried out using hairs that were lost during combing, meaning the same effects may not occur on actively growing, “live” hairs. 

A similar study published in the International Journal of Trichology also looked at the effects of hard water on hair health.

In this study, hair samples were collected from 70 men. The hair samples were either placed in a non-treatment control group or treated using deionized water (aka hard water).

At the end of the study, the hair samples treated using hard water had significantly lower levels of tensile strength than the other hairs. The researchers concluded that hard water decreases the strength of hair and increases the risk of breakage.

Although weaker hair doesn’t directly lead to hair loss, it may be more likely to fall out or break off when you comb, brush, or style your hair. 

On the other hand, a different study published in the International Journal of Trichology in 2013 also tested the tensile strength of hair treated in hard water and concluded that hard water has no noticeable effect on hair strength, hair elasticity, or hair growth.

The good news is that many locales don’t have hard water. The better news is that there are steps you can take to prevent damage if you live in an area with hard water and have concerns about its potential effects on your hair.

Install a Water Softening System

One of the most effective ways to prevent the effects of hard water is to convert that hard water to soft water, and the easiest way to do that is to install a water-softening system, like a shower filter. 

These water softeners typically use an ion exchange process to replace minerals such as calcium and magnesium with sodium. This reduces your home water supply’s mineral levels and softens the water that comes out of your taps, shower head, and other faucets.

Water softening systems vary in price and effectiveness. The most affordable options are fitted to your shower head to soften water as you use it. More effective water softening systems filter your home’s water through a mineral tank.

Use Nourishing Hair Products

While your home’s water may do some damage to your hair, there are many ways to undo that damage. A hair mask, leave-in conditioner, or other hydrating and protective hair product can address the problems caused by hard water problems.

Another way to deal with hard water buildup? Clarifying shampoo. Clarifying shampoo is designed to cleanse your hair and remove residue and buildup, including the film that can form on your hair and scalp when you wash using hard water.

You can find clarifying shampoos in most drugstores, supermarkets, and pharmacies. Follow the instructions and use it as required to strip away unwanted calcium and other minerals from your scalp.

Although clarifying shampoos are effective, they may cause your hair to feel overly dry. If you’re prone to dry hair or skin, make sure to use conditioner after washing with clarifying shampoo to lock in moisture and keep your hair hydrated. 

You might also consider using apple cider vinegar to remove mineral deposits. An apple cider vinegar rinse can remove mineral deposits and soap scum from the hair shaft, which can help reduce hair thinning, brittleness, and the other negative effects of minerals building up on otherwise healthy hair.

Although hard water may cause damage that reduces your hair’s strength and elasticity, it’s not generally considered a common cause of hair loss. 

Most hair loss in men occurs due to male pattern baldness, which is caused by a combination of genetic factors and the hormone dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. 

Over the course of years and decades, DHT can shrink and weaken your hair follicles, causing them to stop producing new hairs. Read more about this process in our detailed guide to the relationship between DHT and male hair loss. 

Identifying the cause of hair loss can help determine the best treatment option, of which there are several: 

• Finasteride is a prescription hair loss medication that works by reducing your body’s production of DHT. A five-year study carried out in Japan found that finasteride stopped hair loss from worsening in 99.4 percent of men affected by male pattern baldness. Other scientific research has found that many men who use finasteride grow back “lost” hair. If you’ve recently noticed some of the early signs of hair loss, using finasteride can protect your hair and prevent your hair loss from worsening. We offer finasteride online, following a consultation with a physician who will determine if a prescription is appropriate.

• Minoxidil is a topical, over-the-counter hair loss medication that works by increasing blood flow to your hair follicles. Although minoxidil doesn’t block DHT, it’s effective at stimulating the growth of your hair. In one study, researchers found that 84.3 percent of men with hair loss who used minoxidil rated it as either very effective, effective, or moderately effective at stimulating hair regrowth. We offer minoxidil online, either by itself or with finasteride in our Hair Power Pack that’s designed to treat and prevent hair loss. 

• Hair loss prevention shampoo such as our Thick Fix Shampoo are formulated to reduce buildup, promote volume, and guard your hair follicles against common sources of damage. 

• Biotin is a B vitamin that plays a role in nail and hair growth. While supplementing with biotin won’t prevent male pattern baldness, products like our Biotin Gummy Vitamins can help to support thick hair, strong nails, and healthy skin. 

So, does hard water affect your hair? It’s difficult to say for sure, but science does suggest that there could be a correlation between hard water and poor hair health.

Keep in mind:

• Although there’s little research showing that hard water causes hair loss, some studies suggest that exposure to hard water may affect your hair’s strength and make it more likely to break off while you’re brushing, cleaning, or styling it. 

• You may be able to prevent damage from hard water by installing a water softening system. Washing your hair with a clarifying shampoo, meanwhile, may help to prevent the buildup of minerals found in hard water, such as calcium and magnesium.

When it comes to stopping and reversing hair loss, the most effective treatments are finasteride and minoxidil. We offer these and other hair loss treatment options online. If you’re interested in trying one, take our free hair quiz.