Effects of Well Water/Hard Water

Effects of Well Water/Hard Water

Domestic well water is ground water. The source of ground water is from rain passing through aquifers, which are layers of minerals. The acidity (pH below 7) of the rain increases the dissolving effect of minerals. These dissolved solids are found in the water when pumped above the ground and used to bathe.

The majority of ground (well) water is hard. The level of calcium that is found naturally from the ground determines the hardness of water. While calcium is the element that determines hardness of water, there are many other elements in well water that affect hair, scalp and skin.

While well water is fine for drinking, it can cause many problems for your hair, scalp and skin including:

Hair feels dry or damaged. It is resistant to color/highlighting, perming or relaxing/straightening. It's discolored by iron build-up (orange or rust color) or by copper build-up (blondes tint green, dark hair darkens). Hair lacks body and shine, is thinning or breaking, or color fades too quickly. Highlights turn "ruddy" or discolored. Perms fall out. Scalp is flaking, itching or inflamed. Scalp is dry. Symptoms of Dandruff/Eczema on scalp. Skin feels dry, skin flakes, and/or symptoms of eczema on skin.

What are the well water minerals that affect hair?

Calcium, Iron, Copper, Magnesium, Silica and Lead

How do minerals found in well water affect hair?

How calcium affects hair:

Calcium causes hair to feel dry and lack shine and volume. It can prevent the proper processing of color, highlights, perms or relaxer/straighteners and can cause a perm to appear relaxed. Calcium builds up on the scalp causing flaking of the scalp, giving the appearance of dandruff. Calcium can choke the hair at the mouth of the follicle causing the hair to break off, then coating the scalp, blocking further new hair growth.

How iron affects hair:

Iron leaves hair feeling dry, brittle and weighted down. It causes lack of shine and can cause dark hair to tint darker and blonde hair to turn orange. Iron can inhibit the proper processing of perms, color, highlights, and relaxers/straighteners

How copper affects hair:

Copper discolors hair causing blonde hair to turn green and dark hair to tint darker. Copper can weigh hair down and cause dryness, and can inhibit the proper processing of perms, color, highlights, and relaxers/straighteners.

How magnesium affects hair:

Magnesium causes hair to lack shine, feel dry, appear weighted down therefore lacking volume, and can inhibit the proper processing of perms, color, highlights, and relaxers/straighteners.

How silica affects hair:

Silica causes many of the same effects on the hair as calcium. It causes hair to feel dry, lack volume, and can cause dandruff-like symptoms of flaking. Build-up of silica can choke the hair follicle causing hair to fall out.

How lead affects hair:

Lead can cause the hair to feel dry. Lead can prevent the proper processing of perms, color, highlights, and relaxers/straighteners.

Treatment for well water and hard water conditions are available in a variety of products, such as demineralizing shampoos and conditionersand from products such as Malibu 2000’s Crystal Gel Treatment. Visiting a local salon and speaking with a stylist can help identify corrective treatment for well water users.

Hair sprays

Applied properly, most hair sprays will not harm the hair. Excessive use or failure to shampoo, however, can cause hair to become dull. Hair sprays that contain alcohol may dry the hair excessively.

Wigs

Normal wig wearing, with the wig cap, is not injurious to the hair provided the wig is not too tight, but more shampooing may become necessary because wigs increase scalp perspiration. Wigs are a fun option for quickly changing one's look without actually re-shaping hair with cutting and in this way become a viable alternate expression. Additionally, when considering changing to a new hair style, wigs that are already in that shape may help an individual decide to change the form of their hair design as one can see how they will actually look in that form before actually re-shaping the hair with permanent cutting. Waiting for an undesirable look to grow out can be a painful process emotionally and psychologically.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy and breast feeding, the normal and natural shedding process is typically suspended (starting around month three because it takes a while for the body to recognize and reset for the hormonal shifts the body goes through) for the period of gestation and extended longer if one breast feeds (this includes pumping for breast milk). Upon cessation of either of these, it typically takes around two months for the hormones to shift again to the normal hormonal settings, and hair shedding can increase exponentially, for approximately 3-6 months until hair returns to its normal volume. It is commonly noticed that hair seems thicker and shinier, even, during pregnancy and breast feeding in response to the influx of shifting hormones. If excess shedding continues for much longer than six months, seek the counsel of a qualified physician. It is not unusual also for hair color to change, or hair structure to change (e.g., straighter hair, curlier hair). These changes can occur more often than people may realize yet isn't often reported.

Despite popular opinion, there is no medical evidence that permanents are ineffective during pregnancy.

Permanents

Whenever hair is chemically altered, as in a permanent or coloring, or anything similar, it is vital to use the proper products to maintain hair health and prevent excessive breakdown of the cuticle and cortex. Before a hair color or permanent, or similar chemical alteration of the cortex is applied, it is wise to conduct a strand test. Professional salons should offer this service as part of the counseling session of what will be done that day to the hair, and/or as part of the process of chemical procedures. It should be conducted before the application of a chemical process. Some salons require a waiver be signed if a client refuses this procedure.

Hair loss

Some choose to shave their hair off entirely, while still others may have an illness (such as a form of cancer--note that not every form of cancer or cancer treatment necessarily means one will lose their hair. A qualified physician should be able to advise on this point.) that caused hair loss or lead to a decision to shave the head. In this instance care of the scalp skin must be attended to and may include protection when exposing the skin to the sun (such as wearing a soft hat or scarf, and applying sunscreen), and proper maintenance of a shaved head with moisturizing products and better quality shaving tools.

Those who suffer from hair loss in instances of cancer care will need to consult with their medical provider to examine the idea of a purchase of a wig. There are many outlets now that provide options of human hair and synthetic hair wigs. Synthetic wigs tend to be easier to maintain for a longer duration. Often, though, the hair, in time, will grow back so soft hats and scarves are often preferred for delicate skin that has been through so much. Those who note excessive shedding inexplicably, or especially falling out in clumps, should seek the counsel of a physician to rule out any issues with hormones and thyroid, among other possibilities. Hair thinning can be experienced even in instances of eczema, psoriasis, and when dandruff has advanced and may be coupled with a bacterial infection of the hair follicles.

There are various reasons for hair loss, most commonly hormonal issues. Fluctuations in hormones will often show in the hair. Not all hair loss is related to what is known as male pattern baldness, and indeed, women can suffer from baldness just as men do. This includes women experiencing what's referred to as male pattern baldness. There exist on the markets formulas for addressing this specific cause of lack of hair growth yet typically they require around three months of consistence use for results to begin to appear. Cessation may also mean that gained growth may dissipate.

Drying

When using hair dryers select lowered temperatures to keep from splitting or otherwise damaging hair. Hair that has been subjected to the use of a permanent is weaker due to the application of chemicals, and should be treated gently and with greater care than hair that isn't chemically altered.

Blow drying hair can be done in a healthier way by using a diffuser so the air flow is not focused in a stream. This will also help prevent excessive tangling. Also, consider setting the blow dryer on a cooler setting versus high. Further, take care when using a blow dryer, or any hot appliance such as irons to not get the heat too close to scalp skin as a burn of the skin is possible. For those with thick hair, half drying can work if one has the time to also allow for some air drying (letting nature finish the drying process). These ideas can still allow one to style their hair yet preserve the health, beauty and luster of the organic fiber that hair is.

Trimming

Although trimming may beautify hair by removing damaged or split ends, cutting does not promote faster growth. Nor does trimming remove all damage throughout the hair (remember, damage can occur anywhere in any length of hair depending on overall care it is given and various processes that are applied.) Trimming can help with tangles if one trims a slight amount off the ends of overall length when it's noticed that tangles seem to be more of a problem. Trimming at regular intervals is only necessary for maintaining formed shapes, usually. Hair grows at the same rate regardless, and the rate is largely a matter of heredity and hormones. If one is interested in gaining length, trimming a small amount that represents a mere percent of overall gained length will help maintain a healthy hemline yet also always working towards gained length. There exist ways to trim hair oneself as outlined in places on the internet and hair care reading materials.

To trim hair, it is best to do so when dry. This is especially true of those who possess any body to their hair. It’s important to visualize the line as it will actually be worn—-that is dry. Wet hair stretches rather significantly in length. Curly hair will unfurl a fair amount when fully wet such that once dried, it will appear that a lot has been taken off since dry curly hair will coil back up even if factually very little was removed. Further, curly hair, in particular, once dry, might appear visually to have an uneven line depending on how the curl coils back up. If the furl is to the inside, it may appear shorter in that spot, versus the furl end exposed to the outside, this will likely appear longer. This concerns appearance and perception rather than actual trim line. A stylist may have trimmed a straight line in some form (such as V, U, or straight across) along the ends of any length, but once dry, curly hair in particular can appear crooked. Trimming hair dry prevents these possibilities as the stylist can work with how the hair actually appears, even being detailed in curl to ensure cutting is done at a certain area along the coil of curled hair so it furls in an optimum manner and does not disrupt the pattern of curl. Lorraine Massey, author of Curly Girl, specializes in the care of curly hair types, and has designed a specific method for trimming curly hair to avoid these problems. The reason stylists like working with wet hair may again be related to weight. Wet hair, being that it’s heavier, tends to be easier to manage in a cut/style situation since the hair remains in place thus holding a line and making it easier for the stylist to create a form. During any cutting, a person should sit or stand tall and straight, and avoid moving, especially any tilting of the head in any direction as this affects the stylists visualization of line, form and structure. Of course, if a chemical process is being applied to the hair, it must be wetted. If one is interested in "just a trim" it is best to be specific with exactly how many inches one desires to have removed to prevent misunderstandings between a stylist and client. If necessary, use a tape measure to further define and agree on the amount to be removed.

Whenever choosing to visit a new stylist for any reason, be sure to disclose all procedures previously done on the hair within the last two years. Disclosing how recently any procedure was done is vital. This is especially so in instances of color and chemical processes such as permanents. If the timeframe and name of procedure is not disclosed, or the incorrect information is disclosed (for example, claiming ammonia wasn’t used when in fact it was six days ago), this can lay the path for a hair disaster. It’s best, if at all possible, to bring in the card from one’s former stylist to the new stylist so they know what process was applied, what color choices were made and degrees of color lift were applied. This is also true in instances when one’s stylist is on vacation or otherwise unavailable. Matching a color can be very difficult, so bringing along the information of what has been used previously can be very helpful to maintaining healthy hair and preventing any disasters. A professional stylist does maintain notes on their regular clients as to history of processes, styles of cuts, and color values applied, and should be willing to divulge this information to their client. This is done in order to maintain consistency of care and to prevent any hair disasters. When visiting a new stylist, that stylist should conduct a strand test to help prevent any potential disasters (to determine any issues with porosity), especially when it’s readily discernible that hair is colored and/or chemically altered in structure. Further in instances of chemical processes or color, often a hair sample can be taken to pre-test the process and determine how the hair might react. This is unusual for a stylist to proceed in this manner, but in some situations, it may prove beneficial for preventing a hair disaster. Hair disasters include heavy breaking off of hair, lots of hair falling out, or any issues with hair taking up color, or becoming overly dry or brittle from a procedure.

Braiding

Tight or frequent braiding may pull at the hair roots and cause traction alopecia. Rubber bands with metal clasps or tight clips should also be avoided. Braiding can be done on a regular basis if the braids are not too tight and the parting is varied so that the strain isn't on the same sections of hair all the time. The same holds true of placing hair in any forms of updos. Do not pull the hair, ever, too tightly from the hair root.

In placing longer lengths up, the same concern to avoid pulling hair overly tight should also be considered. Further, if one places hair up on a daily basis, varying the style is important since constantly binding the hair in the same location (such as a ponytail), using the same tool daily to hold the hair up, can, over time, lead to some thinning in certain areas, especially in instances where the tool is quite heavy (metal).

Headaches and hair

Headaches can occur when there is stress on the hair follicle. For example, hair drawn in a direction other than its natural growth pattern (hair types come out of the hair follicle in particular patterns for curly, body, straight; and also, hair grows in a pattern about the head so that it hangs or forms the way it does for humans). If hair, like braiding, is pinned too tightly, or the whole updo slips causing pulling on the hair in the follicle at the hair root are other scenarios that can cause aggravation to the hair follicle and result in headaches. This is because there is a system of capillaries and even veins that feed into the hair follicle, which is what nourishes the follicle to grow hair. If the hair follicle is aggravated, the capillaries are in turn aggravated and in this way a headache can arise. For those with heavy hair, consider dividing the weight of the hair or placing more of the hair in an updo on top of the head such that the skull supports the weight of the hair better. Also, consider using long bobby pins (what are technically named hair roller pins) to pin the hair in an interlocking network for better hold. Pin as one proceeds in creating the updo style for maximum staying in position. Do not wait until the end of forming the hair to pin into place.

Those who swim in chlorinated or salt sea water may benefit from first wetting the hair entirely and then applying conditioner to completely swell the entire hair shaft. The idea is that less uptake of chlorine or salt may result which in turn helps to preserve the beauty of hair. Those who swim a lot may also benefit from the products on the market that remove chlorine after swimming in pool water.

Safety Precautions

Whenever one works around anything that can make hair lengths fan (such as opening oven doors, any machine with a motor (whether the motor itself is exposed or not such as lathes, drill presses, grinders, car engines, household fans), anything with heat (such as torches, welding equipment, jeweler tools, lighting pilot lights, BBQs) or any recreational vehicle (such as go karts, and with unusually longer lengths, perhaps even bicycles), it is best to contain the hair in a reliable manner to prevent the hair being caught up in the equipment which could potentially result in major injury, including scalping. Hair should be drawn back in a reliable method to prevent falling or slipping such that any formerly contained hair could fall out in whole, or in part, and place one at risk. This may well mean that a ponytail for hair length is insufficient as hair fringe and bangs may remain vulnerable, and hair, during the course of a day can fall out. Ponytailed hair means it’s only bound at one point yet the remaining length is loose hair which has a wide circumference it can still fall. Ponytailed hair can still fall forward if one is leaning over, or for example, in a kitchen with an open gas flame, can still fan out when one turns and the air flow from body movement can cause a pulse in the flame to a higher level and singe some hair. Same holds true with oven doors: ponytailed hair can fall forward on to hot surfaces when leaning over and get singed. Care around any flame should be taken including proximity to tools for lighting cigarettes and cigars. Often it is best to not only bind the hair; but also, position the hair inside a cap or bandanna such that the full head of hair is completely covered. This scenario is good not only around machinery but may well be a good idea in instances of working outdoors all day long, or when working in areas where fine dust and particulate matter is swirling about (paint, spraying, powder coating, laying tar) to prevent the hair being caked with such particles. Many industries have requirements for hair being contained to prevent worker injury. This likely includes those working in food services, construction, utilities, and machine shops of various sorts. Anytime one works in an area that can move the air flow, hair should be bound for safety of the person as hair is a very light weight substance and responds to the slightest of breezes. Of course, many professions do require containing the hair for reasons of public health, and a prime example is the food industry. Many sports may require similar constraints for reasons of safety to keep hair out of eyes and blocking one's view, and to prevent being caught in sports equipment or trees and shrubs, or matted hair in severe weather conditions or water. This would include not allowing hair to fly loose on the backs of motorcycles and open-topped sports cars for longer tresses.