How Does Water Affect Hair Growth?

Maintaining proper hydration improves overall health and gives you soft skin. But do you know water affects hair growth too? It is said that maintaining hydration levels may promote hair health and stimulate hair growth. For many of us, drinking at least 8-9 glasses of water a day is like a ritual. Read further to know how this can impact your hair health, what other benefits water can offer to your hair, and what science says about it. Scroll down.

What If You Do Not Drink Enough Water?

Are you taking vitamin supplements for your hair growth but not getting the desired results you were hoping for? One reason for this could be that you are not consuming enough water to meet the daily requirement of your body. Yes, the deficiency of water in the body causes dehydration. But, how many of you know this condition has a direct effect on hair strength and growth? Dehydration occurs when your body does not have enough water in its system and requires an adequate amount of water to balance it out.

Note: Our body is made up 55-65% of water, out of which two-thirds is intracellular (water located inside the cells). Dehydration occurs when there is a loss of intracellular water.

Dehydration can cause hair loss, although it is unlikely. Drinking lots of water is also important for maintaining a healthy scalp as dehydration can dry out your skin. Drinking sufficient water also helps to flush out toxins, increase weight loss, and give you an energy boost to improve your overall health, which, in turn, benefits your hair.

We all know that our hair is made up of dead cells and that the living part of the hair is the hair follicle. When the hair follicles have insufficient water levels, your hair becomes dry and fragile and may stop growing. As much as hair products help nourish the follicles, they also need nourishment from within the body. This is why vitamin and mineral deficiencies can affect hair growth cycle and induce hair loss. Your hair, just like your body, needs to be hydrated to stay healthy.

Drinking water helps maintain the balance of body fluids and keeps you hydrated. But, how does it help in hair growth? Let’s find out more about it in the next section.

The Impact Of Water On Hair Growth

Drinking sufficient water supports hair growth from root to tip. It also helps prevent split ends and brittle hair, as well as makes your scalp healthy. Water is also very important for regulating the circulatory system, which provides important nutrients to your follicles, thereby aiding hair growth. Furthermore, water activates all the nerve endings and other sensors in the hair roots, which increases the natural vitality of your hair.

Water contains minerals that are needed for maintaining hair health, like iron, zinc, copper, and calcium (1), (2).

Copper can affect the pigmentation of your hair. Its deficiency can cause hair abnormalities. Calcium keeps your hair healthy and shiny. A deficiency in iron is known to cause hair loss and telogen effluvium (temporary hair loss) (3).

Zinc is another trace element that affects hair growth. Studies show that zinc deficiency causes hair loss and its supplementation can stimulate hair growth (3). It also affects cell proliferation and the size of sebaceous glands, which are important for hair growth.

The water content in human hair is important for its growth and health (4). A study shows that the quality of the water you drink affects the hair quality, as well (5). It shows that drinking water is the primary source for the trace elements mentioned above that affect your hair. Apart from this, anecdotal evidence suggests that water definitely affects hair growth.

Note: Hair is porous, and studies show that too much water can cause hair damage like stretching and breaking (6). Excess water can cause the hair shaft to swell and get damaged.

The quality of water used to wash your hair can also affect your hair growth and texture. Learn more about it in the next section.

How To Wash Your Hair With Hard Water

Washing your hair with hard water can present a challenge due to the high mineral content, such as calcium and magnesium, which may leave your hair feeling dull, weighed down, and brittle over time (7). Nevertheless, you can use different methods to minimize the damage.

Firstly, using a clarifying or chelating shampoo once a week may help to remove mineral buildup. Additionally, a vinegar rinse, combining equal parts of white vinegar and water, may help in dissolving the mineral deposits on your tresses. You can also install a water softener on your showerhead to protect your hair from further damage. Lastly, using a leave-in conditioner and deep conditioning treatments may help replenish the lost moisture in your hair.

As you know, drinking water is essential for performing body functions and enhancing hair growth. How much water you should drink is an important factor to consider. Check this out in the following section.

How Much Water Should You Drink Per Day?

The recommended daily intake of water for women is about 9 cups (2 liters) per day, and men can drink about 13 cups (3 liters) per day (8). But, specific amounts vary with age and activity levels.

When it comes to water, it is better to stick to the 8-glasses-a-day rule. After all, prevention is better than cure. Besides our skin and health, water also promotes hair growth and fights other hair and scalp problems. Even mild dehydration can sap energy from the hair roots and result in hair loss. Hence, keep yourself hydrated to get a healthy hair texture.

Alicia James, a blogger, shared a few ways in which she ensures optimal maintenance of her hair and health. One of her tips for hair growth is fitness and health, where she writes, “This is probably one of the least favorite tips, but we already know whatever is going on inside the body reflects on the outside. It shows up in bad skin, brittle nails, and weak hair…. I also make sure to drink plenty of water. Believe me, I am not someone who loves to drink water, but when I don’t drink water I break out really bad and my body feels extremely tired. So, water is a requirement for me (i)!”

The rule of thumb is to always listen to your body to combat the problem from the start. Your tresses may also show visible changes that may be signs of dehydration. Scroll down to learn about these signs further!

Signs Your Hair Needs More Hydration

Here are a few common symptoms that your hair requires more hydration.

• Hair feels rough or straw-like to touch.
• Increased frizz and difficulty in managing hairstyles.
• Hair appears dull and lacks shine.
• More breakage and split ends than usual.
• Curls or waves look limp and lack definition.
• Dry scalp and flakiness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it OK to put water in your hair every day?

You can wash your hair with water every day for hair care. However, do not shampoo regularly, as that will deplete the natural oils in your scalp and hair and make it dry.

Does water cause hair dryness?

Drinking water is essential for maintaining hair health and does not cause dryness. However, frequently washing the hair with hard water may irritate the scalp.

Does cold water make your hair thinner?

Washing the hair with cold water makes the strands appear flat and can cause hair thinning. Moreover, cold water doesn’t strip the natural oils, which may also contribute to a less voluminous appearance. Knowing what happens if you indulge in Washing your hair with cold water or very hot water will help you take better care of your hair.

Illustration: Does Drinking Water Improve Hair Growth?

Discover the amazing effects of mineral water on your hair. Watch this video to learn how it can help nourish and strengthen your locks for a healthier, shinier look.

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