Hard water metals concentrate primarily in the cuticle layer. A study published in 2011 indicated that these metals can affect certain hair properties, which include:
- stiffening of hair strand
- reduction of combing forces
- improvement of ability to hold a style in virgin hair
- reduction of ability to hold a style in bleached hair
Additionally, certain variables affect the uptake of hard water metals by the hair, such as the:
- condition of the hair (e.g., chemically damaged)
- pH of the water
- level of water hardness
ABSTRACTS:
STRUCTURAL IMPLICATIONS OF HARD WATER METALS (2011)
UPTAKE OF HARD WATER METALS BY HAIR (2011)