Clarifying and Hard Water Shampoos

[UP Lisa]

I have hard water. I also have extremely tangly hair. My hair does not tend to dry out. I am considering using a clarifying or hard water shampoo every time I wash, since my hair is the least tangly after I do that.

Does anyone else do this? Have you noticed any hair damage or scalp problems from doing it?

[Firefox7275]

I may have got the wrong end of the stick, but I think clarifying shampoos are primarily for build up from products used on the hair. And chelating is best for hard water? Also have you tried vinegar rinses? Again I *think* those with hard water had the best results, but do check. Leave-in conditioner can be good for tangles, also for getting less water (and therefore mineral deposits) on your hair.

Sorry that is not what you asked, but I hope it's still helpful.

[UP Lisa]

You are right about the shampoos. No. I have not tried a vinegar rinse.

How would a leave-in conditioner keep water from getting on the hair?

[jeanniet]

You might try doing a citric acid final rinse first. Citric acid chelates minerals in the water that cause deposits in your hair. Since I've starting using it as a final rinse, my hair is in much better shape and I rarely need to clarify. I use 1/8 tsp. in half a gallon of water, so you don't need much, although you'd probably have to experiment a bit to see what amount works best for you.

Here's a thread on "miracle water" that gives more information: http://www.longhaircommunity.com/arc...ad.php?t=51184

[Silver Strands]

I don't know if Nexxus Aloe Rid is a clarifying or chelating shampoo but it works very well for me and I have hard water also.

I do have a water softener but it still tends to build up.

I know Sally's carries a brand called "Ion" well water shampoo and conditioner. Haven't tried it but it probably works well.

Also, I couldn't find citric acid but I have used a "True Lemon" packet mixed in water or conditioner and found it worked well also. Someone on here recommended it.

Last, but not least, I think if you have the ingredient EDTA in shampoo and/or conditioner it is a chelating agent.

ETA: Note to self: Read thoroughly before replying!
I haven't used a clarifying shampoo exclusively so I can't help you there.
Sorry, I should have read better before replying.

Good Luck

[wendyg]

I'd recommend a shower filter. Made a big difference for me in London (extremely hard water).

wg

[jeanniet]

Wendy, do you know what the specific number is for your water? I'm just curious. Ours is 10.

[wendyg]

Sorry, no idea. It's London, if you want to poke around the Net.

It trashed my hair for *years* pre-filter. Post-filter, I use some leave-in and comb while wet, and everything's fine.

wg

[Lillie]

What kind of Filter do you use?

[Firefox7275]

You are right about the shampoos. No. I have not tried a vinegar rinse.

How would a leave-in conditioner keep water from getting on the hair?

Leave-in doesn't stop any water getting on your hair but it does limit contact, because you only have to rinse once and shampoo is easier to rinse than conditioner. It's what I've used to preserve my chemical dye for years (my hair is trashed for other reasons, but it holds red ). I turban partly dry then partially re-wet with conditioner - again this could mean less hard water being trapped in your hair.

Also with just a wash step, it *may* be possible to wash in a sink/ over a bucket using water boiled up in a pan or kettle - which is softer. I say *may* because length clearly matters! You might be able to do just a scalp wash and rinse the ends ready for leave-on conditioner? With shorter hair than yours I've done this with two sinks of water, so not a nightmare of running between bathroom and kitchen!

I'm not saying this will work, just that you might think about it and see what does or does not fit into your routine.