Hard Water’s Effect On Skin, Hair & Teeth

As a Texas resident, you may have experienced the frustrating effects of hard water on your daily life. While hard water is generally safe to drink and use, it can have a significant impact on the health and appearance of your skin, hair and teeth.

At American Water, we understand the importance of addressing these issues to help you look and feel your best. We provide homeowners in Round Rock, Dripping Springs and Victoria with efficient water-softening systems to combat hard water concerns.

The Effects Of Hard Water On Hair And Skin

Hard water contains high levels of minerals — such as calcium and magnesium — which remain on your skin after washing. This residue can clog pores, leading to dryness, itchiness and even acne. The minerals in hard water can also disrupt the skin’s natural balance, causing irritation and exacerbating existing skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

Just as hard water can negatively impact your skin, it can also take a toll on your hair. The extra minerals in hard water can layer up on your hair, making it feel dry, brittle and difficult to manage. This buildup can also weigh your hair down, causing it to look flat and lifeless.

Do You Have Hard Water? Skin Related Symptoms To Know

If you have hard water in your home, you may notice several symptoms on your skin, including:

• Dryness and tightness, especially after showering or bathing
• Itchiness and irritation
• Clogged pores and an increased risk of acne
• Aggravation of existing skin conditions
• A filmy or sticky feeling on the skin, even after washing

These symptoms can be uncomfortable and may lead to long-term skin issues if not addressed.

Can Hard Water Damage Hair?

Over time, exposure to hard water can indeed damage your hair. The mineral buildup can prevent moisture from penetrating the hair shaft, leading to breakage, split ends and even hair loss. Hard water can also cause your hair color to fade more quickly, requiring more frequent touch-ups and potentially damaging your hair further.

Hard Water’s Impact On Teeth

Many homeowners are surprised to learn that the quality of their tap water can affect their dental health. Hard water can leave behind residue not only on faucets and appliances but also on your teeth. This raises the common question — “Does hard water cause plaque on teeth?”

The high mineral content in hard water can contribute to the development of tartar, a hardened plaque that can only be removed by a licensed dentist. If you’re concerned about the long-term effects of hard water on your oral hygiene, installing a quality water softener can help reduce these risks while also improving the overall feel and taste of your water. However, any dental concerns should be directed to your dentist.

Can Hard Water Cause Dry Mouth?

Hard water doesn’t directly cause dry mouth, but it can sometimes make your mouth feel less refreshed. This is because hard water contains high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium, which can leave behind a chalky residue or film when used for drinking or brushing teeth.

While this doesn’t interfere with saliva production — the true cause of dry mouth — it can create an unpleasant mouthfeel. So, while hard water isn’t a medical cause of dry mouth, switching to softened or filtered water may help improve overall comfort and oral hygiene.

Protecting Your Health With A Water Softener

To reduce the negative effects of hard water on your skin, hair and teeth, it’s essential to consider a water-softening solution. At American Water, we offer top-of-the-line Kinetico® water softeners designed to remove excess minerals from your water supply, providing you with soft, clean water throughout your home.

Our water softeners use advanced ion exchange technology to replace calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions, effectively eliminating the hard water problems that can impact your health and appearance.

Schedule Your Water Softener Installation

Hard water’s effect on skin, hair and teeth is a concern for many homeowners in Round Rock, TX.

At American Water, our goal is to provide our customers with the highest quality water softening solutions to address the challenges posed by hard water. If you’re experiencing the negative effects of hard water on your skin, hair or teeth, contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how our Kinetico® water softeners can help you look and feel your best.