Is There A Connection With Water And Hair Health Or Is It All In The Mind?
Water and hair health? Can you use those words in the same sentence? YES!! We ALL know the importance of drinking water, simply hydrating yourself…but what about your hair?
Well, yes, it is important to ensure that your hair is also hydrated or more usually termed ‘moisturized‘ – yes, it does play a role when it comes to hair health.
What is the connection between water and hair health?
Of course, everyone knows what water is…it is a necessary part of our life sustenance and maintenance. You can survive without food but you can’t live very long without water. It hydrates your body inside and outside. I am sure you have heard it said ever so often – drink 8 glasses of water every day!
In my opinion, it is not so much how much you drink as it is simply drinking enough on a daily basis! But of course, there are opinions out there with their reasons behind their statements.
What is water made of?
According to Wikipedia:
‘Water is a transparent and nearly colorless chemical substance that is the main constituent of Earth’s streams, lakes, and oceans, and the fluids of most living organisms. Its chemical formula is H2O, meaning that its molecule contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms, that are connected by covalent bonds. Water strictly refers to the liquid state of that substance, that prevails at standard ambient temperature and pressure; but it often refers also to its solid state (ice) or its gaseous state (steam or water vapor). It also occurs in nature as snow, glaciers, ice packs and icebergs, clouds, fog, dew, aquifers, and atmospheric humidity.'[1]
So, in a nutshell, it is basically a molecule made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen molecule. When they come together, a very strong bond is created. This can be chemically written as H2O.
There are various types of water:
- rain from the skies
- distilled
- saltwater from the ocean
- hard and soft
- good ‘ole tap
- mineral springs
Just like your daily intake of water – it is amazing the goodness that it provides for your body through and through!
An important aspect of water is its actual composition in terms of acidity and alkalinity – that happy balance. Of course, this is usually determined by its source:
- the tap (chemicals added to make it potable)
- natural springs – hot springs, mineral springs
this decides if the water will feel ‘hard’ or ‘soft’ on your hair once you are finished applying it. It is not uncommon to use a water filter
Water is equal to hydration!
You need this liquid gold for so many things in life – the mundane and the big ticket items, i.e LIFE!!
Let’s see how it relates to the health of your strands. One very important thing when it comes to water is the temperature that it is used when taking care of your tresses.
If the temperature is:
- too hot, it strips the natural oils
- too cold, leaves your strands feeling somewhat in a clammy sort of state
- tepid, just right of course!
What is important is to find that happy medium that feels good and does very little if any damage to your scalp, skin, and the natural body oils.
A recent@ development in the hair world, a really interesting concept:
Water only method of washing hair!
It is as it says, you use only water to wash your hair. Over time, your hair will thank you for it, it has been said.
Well, I have tried this ‘concept’ and I LOVE it! It takes a little getting accustomed to, but once you do – your hair smiles all the way. I have fairy knots and so I try not to wash my hair too much and this method certainly helps.
I simply wash my hair without product and allow my hair to ‘drink up’ without the interaction of any product. I do this type of wash about every 4 days. I can’t see any harm being done to your hair unless it would be a question of whether the water is hard and loaded with excess chemical treatment – chlorination, purification processes.
Here are my thoughts on this method of hair washing:
Pros:
- no chemicals
- inexpensive
- moisturizing
- non-stripping and allows your natural oils to further moisturize your hair and scalp
Cons:
- the chemical elements in some water might make your hair feel hard, however, investing in a good filter can reduce that issue
- you are not able to tell if it is ‘clean’ enough
- does not adequately remove dirt from scalp over time
In whatever you do, just keep in mind that you have to ensure that your hair is hydrated from the inside and from the outside. Have a daily intake of water and every opportunity you get to wet your hair, of course without affecting your hairstyle, do it for the good of your hair! Let’s revel in the connection of water and hair health indeed!
I also found a very interesting article about water – The 20 Health Benefits Of Water (Stay Hydrated!)– and I think it deserves your ‘eyeball-time’, read it HERE.
All the best on your hair journey and please let me know your feedback as well.
Updated May 2020
REFERENCES:
[1] Wikipedia
Images courtesy of Pixabay, UnSplash, and Pexels.
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