If you love that fresh-from-the-salon hair colour (and who doesn’t?), you know it needs protection to keep it looking vibrant. UV rays can cause discolouration, sulphate-containing shampoos can fade your colour, and citrus-based products may diminish its vibrancy.
One of the biggest yet lesser-known contributors to colour fading is the minerals in your water. Although tap water looks clear, it can contain metals and minerals that build up on your hair, affecting both its colour and texture.
Hard water can be particularly problematic, but water of all types contains minerals that may affect your hair’s colour and condition.
How Do Minerals Affect Your Hair?
Mineral buildup can contribute to:
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Colour fading and unwanted brassy or yellow tones
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Dullness, rough texture and loss of shine
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Looser, less defined curls
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Hair that feels heavy and looks lacklustre
Minerals can also interfere with salon treatments. For example, copper deposits may affect the hair colouring process and contribute to unexpected colour results.
Which Minerals Can Affect Your Hair the Most?
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Calcium: Can contribute to dryness, reduce curl definition and leave mineral deposits on the scalp and hair.
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Magnesium and aluminium: May contribute to dull-looking colour and lacklustre hair, depending on their concentration and the condition of the hair.
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Copper: Can contribute to greenish tones in blonde hair and unwanted colour shifts in darker hair. Metal buildup may also interfere with colouring treatments.
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Iron and manganese: Can contribute to orange or reddish discolouration, particularly in lighter hair, and may leave hair feeling dry and coarse.
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Lead: Can contaminate water in certain circumstances and poses health risks. Although exposure through tap water varies, lead should not be considered a normal or harmless hair mineral deposit.