So, of course, the hair will grow faster -soil, fruit juice, and to top it all off, distilled water. When there’s such a popular online quest as “how to speed up hair growth,” this wonder remedy wandered onto social media to pique interested users’ wonderings: Does distilled water make hair grow faster? Let’s dive deeper into this piece of trending information and find out whether or not using distilled water is going to make your hair grow fast or remains in the ranks of myths.
What is Distilled Water?
Distilled water has to be defined before answering the question of whether it makes hair grow faster. Purified water that comes through a distillation process is distilled water. This process removes impurities, minerals, and chemicals from water by boiling it, trapping the steam, and allowing it to condense back into liquid.
This water is devoid of substances like chlorine, fluoride, and hard minerals like calcium and magnesium, which are present in standard tap water normally. Due to its purity, people use distilled water in laboratories, medical facilities, and even some household appliances.
Why Use Distilled Water for Hair?
Recently, a quest for natural hair health-enhancing and hair growth accelerators has obtained many users seeking distilled water in hair care. The basis of this use is that because distillation removes minerals and chemicals, distilled water may be milder and, therefore gentler on your hair and scalp, making it healthier and supporting growth.
Many believe that distilled water will bring a level of pH to the scalp so that the hair strand remains clean and does not allow accumulation to happen from the chlorine and minerals present in tap water. The accumulation might harm the hair and cause breakage, dryness, and even slower hair growth.
How Does Hair Growth Work?
Before the question, “Does distilled water make hair grow faster? it is essential to first understand how hair grows. Hair originates from follicles within the scalp. Each single hair follicle in the scalp has its cycle split into three phases:
- Anagen (growth phase): This is when your hair is actively growing, and it can last anywhere from two to seven years.
- Catagen: It is a transitional phase lasting nearly about three weeks where the hair in question stops growing for a while to prepare for shedding.
- Telogen: This is a resting phase where the hair is released or shed to make way for new hair growth.
Various factors, such as genetics, diet, hormones, and hair care, influence hair growth, but external products do not change the natural hair growth cycle.
Does Distilled Water Accelerate Hair Growth?
Well, let’s cut to the chase. Does distilled water make hair grow faster?
Up to now, there is still no scientific evidence that has proven the existence of distilled water that activates increased hair growth. However, this doesn’t mean that it has no benefits for your hair. Using distilled water may
- Decrease Mineral Buildup: Water, being drawn from a faucet, contains minerals such as calcium and magnesium. If used for a long period, it is bound to cause buildup on the scalp and in the hair. Over time, this buildup can cause dullness in hair look and feel that may subsequently cause slowing of hair growth as the pores get clogged up. Since distilled water doesn’t have minerals, it won’t enable mineral buildup.
- Prevent Hair Dryness: Hard water can irritate hair by causing dryness and breakage. Distilled water is softer, helping to lock in moisture and prevent damage, which indirectly supports healthy growth.
- Improved Hair and Scalp Health: Distilled water is chemically free. It contains no chlorine like other waters, such as tap water. This means that distilled water can be gentle to the scalp compared to tap water. Healthy scalp development means healthy hair growth. If irritated, clogged, or damaged, hair growth will be impacted. Distilled water can therefore facilitate a clean and balanced scalp.
It won’t cause hair growth itself, but using distilled water will at least provide an environment in which your hair is less damaged and your scalp is healthier, which might lead to better hair retention and a thicker, fuller head of hair.
How to Use Distilled Water in Your Hair Care Routine
If you want to try distilled water in your hair routine, here are some simple ways to incorporate it:
- Rinse your hair: Use distilled water for the final rinse after washing and conditioning your hair with your usual products. Distilled water can help remove any residue from your tap water and prevent mineral buildup on your scalp and strands.
- Hair Mist: Mix a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil in distilled water. You can use lavender, rosemary, or any other fragrance of your choice. Spray it over your hair during the day to hydrate and freshen up your locks.
- Dilute Hair Products: Some people dilute their shampoo or conditioner with the distillation of water to reduce the harshness of the product applied to become much gentler on hair and scalp.
- Use with Deep Conditioners: Many users like to mix it with a deep conditioning treatment to make the product even more effective and allow the conditioner to better penetrate through your hair.
Distilled Water vs. Tap Water: What’s the Difference for Hair?
A question, that frequently pops up in the discussion on whether distilled water makes hair grow faster, is a comparison of whether tap water is good or not.
- Mineral Contents: Tap water usually contains minerals, often used as additives, including calcium, magnesium, and sometimes chlorine. These minerals accumulate on your hair and scalp, causing problems such as dryness, irritation, and even breakage. Since distilled water does not have these elements, it will help avoid such a problem.
- pH Balance: Tap water’s pH can be anywhere between a range, but it tends to be alkaline. Hair prefers a slightly acidic environment (pH 4.5-5.5), whereas the use of alkaline water will easily alter this balance. Distilled water has a neutral pH of 7; thus, changing the original balance in your hair is unlikely.
- Softness: Distilled water is soft. Soft water does not leave behind any residue on your hair. This can ensure your hair stays much soft and more manageable over time.
Are There Any Disadvantages of Using Distilled Water for Hair?
Good for hair, but not a magic solution. It won’t make too much difference if you only use it with distilled water alone. A comprehensive hair care program offers many benefits. Some people find it inconvenient and costly to use only distilled water, especially in large quantities.
Other Factors Influencing Hair Growth
While distilled water might help maintain healthier hair and scalp, other factors play a much more vital role in promoting hair growth at the fastest possible rate:
- Nutrition: Hair grows as long as it receives adequate nourishment. A well-balanced diet that contains adequate vitamins and minerals such as biotin, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids is necessary for good hair growth.
- Scalp Care: Massaging your scalp regularly, keeping your scalp clean, and applying rosemary oil enhances blood circulation and helps to improve hair growth.
- Limitation by Heat Damage: One major consequence of overusing a heat tool is breakage. Therefore, there’s a slowing down in growth. The application of heat protectants can also give hair a break from the use of a heat tool.
Conclusion:
In summary, distilled water won’t make hair grow overnight, but it helps keep your scalp healthier and reduces the risk of hair damage.Preventing mineral buildup, maintaining hydration, and balancing pH indirectly support hair health, making it thicker and fuller over time. If you struggle with hard water or want to enhance your hair care, try using distilled water. However, true hair growth also depends on factors like hair condition, nutrition, and genetics.