What Is Hard Water And How Does It Affect Hair Color?

As a hairstylist, you have the unique ability to create vibrant, eye-catching hair colors that express your clients’ personality and style. However, maintaining that hair color between salon visits can often be a challenge. There are several environmental factors that can dull and alter the appearance of color-treated hair, with one of the biggest culprits being water quality—more specifically, hard water.

Hard water can significantly impact the longevity and vibrancy of your clients’ hair color, but with the right education and haircare solutions, it’s possible to help preserve their desired look. Read on to learn more about hard water, how it affects hair color, and why products like Malibu C's Hard Water Wellness Collection can help keep hair color looking radiant for longer. 

What Is Hard Water? 

Hard water is water that contains a high concentration of dissolved minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium. These minerals can accumulate in water as it makes its way from its original source, through your pipes, and eventually out of your showerhead. Water with higher levels of these minerals is generally considered “harder” and water with lower levels is referred to as “softer.” The minerals in hard water can accumulate and attach to surfaces, including hair, which can lead to several concerns—like dry, brittle, and dull-looking strands. 
 
If you’re wondering whether you have hard water in your area, there’s a good chance that you do. Research shows that approximately 80% of American households have hard water [1,2]. To see how hard the water is where you live, check out the below map, then enter your zip code for a free water analysis report from Malibu C. 

How Does Hard Water Affect Hair Color? 

As mentioned above, hard water mineral buildup has the potential to alter the longevity and vibrancy of color-treated hair. Here are some of the biggest challenges that hard water can present for hairstylists: 

• Uneven Color Absorption: The minerals in hard water can interfere with the hair’s ability to absorb color evenly and lead to uneven tones, premature fading, poor gray coverage, and resistance to lifting. 
   
• Mineral Buildup: When minerals accumulate on the hair shaft, it can cause hair to feel rough and dry, and appear damaged, which can affect the overall appearance of your color and style.  
   
• Discoloration: Over time, minerals oxidize on the hair, which can result in unwanted changes in tone, especially in lighter shades. This can cause hair to take on dull, muddy, or brassy tones. 

When hard water comes into contact with hair, calcium and magnesium minerals cling to the hair like a magnet. Once these minerals oxidize, they form a barrier that prevents moisture and hair color from penetrating the hair shaft effectively. This process can impact the hair’s tone as well as its texture, making it more difficult to manage and style. 

How To Combat the Effects of Hard Water With Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Collection 

The Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Collection is specifically designed to combat the negative effects of hard water on hair. This haircare collection includes three products: the Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Shampoo, Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Conditioner, and Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Remedy. 

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The collection is designed to remove hard water deposits and discoloration, leaving hair soft, shiny, and true-to-tone. Here’s how:  

• Chelating Agents: The Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Remedy contains chelating agents that bind to minerals in hard water, preventing them from adhering to the hair shaft. This helps to remove existing mineral buildup and prevent new deposits from forming. 
   
• Gentle Cleansing: Malibu C Hard Water Shampoo is formulated to cleanse hair gently while maintaining the integrity of hair color. 
   
• Nutrient Infusion: Malibu C's Hard Water Wellness Conditioner is enriched with vitamins and antioxidants that nourish the hair, helping to repair any damage caused by mineral buildup and environmental stressors. 

How To Use Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Collection 

To get the best results from Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Collection, we recommend following a regular haircare routine that includes the following: 

1. Weekly Remedies: Have your clients use the Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Remedy once a week to remove buildup and help prevent discoloration. 
    
2. Daily Care: Your clients should incorporate the Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Shampoo and Conditioner into their daily routine to cleanse and nourish the hair while maintaining its vibrancy. 
    
3. Deep Conditioning: For added moisture and protection, clients should use a deep conditioning treatment from Malibu C, like the Replenish Hair Masque, to keep their hair healthy-looking and resilient. 

Maintaining vibrant, beautiful hair color can be difficult at times, especially when dealing with hard water. The minerals in hard water can cause color to fade, create buildup, and result in unwanted discoloration.

Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Collection provides a comprehensive solution that counteracts these effects, helping to remove mineral buildup, prevent discoloration, and nourish the hair. With Malibu C’s Hard Water Wellness Collection, you can ensure your clients enjoy long-lasting, vibrant hair color that remains true despite the challenges posed by hard water. 

Want to help keep your clients’ hair color looking its best? Download the Malibu C Metaversity app on Google Play or on the Apple App Store for more education, product recommendations, exclusive offers, and more. 

Next Up: Mastering Corrective Color With Malibu C

References: 

1. Hardness of Water. U.S. Geological Survey, 22 October 2019. 
2. Hard Water Facts. City of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Water, 2022.