Hair loss is a common problem in Dubai a few months after moving here. This could be for various reasons related to diet, health, etc., but the most common culprit is usually the water, which is desalinated.
What is Desalinated Water?
Desalination is the process of eliminating salt from seawater to produce drinking water.
As seawater pollution increases, more must be done to purify the water, including increasing the chlorine content and adding lime to control the chlorine levels.
The most common methods of desalination are reverse osmosis and distillation. Desalinated water is used in arid areas where freshwater is scarce.
How Desalinated Water Affects Hair
- While it might be fine for drinking, desalinated water lacks minerals like magnesium, calcium, and potassium. These minerals are essential for healthy hair and lack of them can cause brittleness.
- Repeatedly rinsing hair with desalinated water leads to flaking on the scalp, dandruff, and buildup, which hinders healthy hair growth and promotes dry hair. This eventually leads to breakage and weakening of the hair structure.
- Since desalinated water is not mineral-rich, it might not promote hair vitality like regular water and hinders proper hydration.
- Chlorine in desalinated water can also cause dry hair and brittleness over time.
How much damage the water does to your hair depends on your hair type and other simultaneous hair care activities you’re involved in.
If you’re losing a lot of hair, the water might not be the only culprit and shouldn’t be solely blamed.
Look to other activities, such as your hair care regimen, products, and how you handle your hair while wet.
A hair planner and journal could be especially beneficial in this regard.
Countries That Use Desalinated Water
Desalinated water is not dangerous and can be consumed safely using a water filter.
Additionally, the desalination process keeps improving with new methods and equipment.
Desalination occurs in over a hundred countries worldwide, including KSA, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and Australia.
8 Ways to Control Water-Related Hair Loss
So, what can you do to mitigate the potential damage from caring for your hair from desalinated water in Dubai?
1. Use a Shower Filter
You can use a shower filter to remove the impurities and harmful elements in the water.
Some shower filters also add beneficial minerals back into the desalinated water as they remove chlorine and other chemicals.
Read 4 Ways to Deal with Hair Loss from Water for more on this.
2. Add Rosewater to Your Regimen
The pH of desalinated water can vary, and high pH levels can impair hair and scalp health. Adding rosewater to your hair care regimen can help.
Rosewater is a natural conditioner and moisturizer that helps balance the scalp’s pH.
For more information on adding rosewater to your regimen, read How Rosewater Can Assist With Hair Loss Problems.
3. Control the pH levels of your hair
Every time you shampoo and condition your hair, ensure the pH level of your hair is brought down to the correct ratio at the final step.
For more on controlling the pH balance of your hair, read Why the pH Level of Hair Products is Important for Healthy Hair.
4. Switch to Natural and/or Organic Products
Replacing just one product in your regimen with a natural or organic product can make a difference.
You can also consider DIYing a few of your hair products where you can control the ingredients.
I recommend starting with shampoos. Read Best Alternative to Traditional Shampoo + Scalp Detoxifications for more on this.
5. Try Natural Hair Rinses
Include natural hair rinses in your regimen. They are pH-balanced and protect hair from the effects of harsh products.
For more information, read Hibiscus Hair Rinse to Prevent Hair Fall and Strengthen Hair.
Recommended Hair Care Resources
6. Rinse Hair with Mineral-Rich Water
As a final step on regimen day, rinse your hair with a large bottle of mineral water, which helps restore essential nutrients.
7. Reduce Chemical Treatments
Until you get the hair loss issue under control, reduce harsh treatments like commercial hair dyes, relaxers, keratin, etc, which can exacerbate hair damage and loss.
8. Don’t Ignore Scalp Care
Regular scalp massages while shampooing helps a great deal. Consider adding a scalp massage brush to your regimen for optimal scalp exfoliation.
By including one or more of the suggestions above in your hair care regimen, you should be able to eliminate hair loss issues related to the use of desalinated water.
If you’re still experiencing hair loss despite making all these changes, then speak to your physician to arrange a check-up.
It could be a vitamin deficiency or something else in your body. Internal issues also cause hair loss.
If you have more questions about desalinated water, ask in the comments section.
The Naturalista Lifestyle is a lifestyle website for women interested in hair, skin, health and fitness, self-care, savings, budgeting, and living their best lives. Learn more HERE.
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