Metals in Hair - A Colorist’s Nightmare
- Juozas Pro
- Jun 4
- 3 min read
As a hair colorist, you know the challenge of achieving flawless, vibrant colour. But did you know that hard water - water full of metals like copper, iron, and calcium - can sabotage your colour services and lead to frustrating results? Especially when clients come to your salon and their hair contains metals.
If you've noticed uneven colour, brassy tones, or longer processing times - that is the case.
Here’s how metals in water affect hair colour and why clean, filtered water is essential for flawless colour treatments.
Why Water Quality Matters in Hair Salons
Many salons invest in top-tier products and equipment but overlook one crucial factor: water quality. Most salons and homes use unfiltered tap water, which can quietly damage hair and impact your colour results.
Over 85% of U.S. salons and homes use hard water, which is high in minerals like:
Copper – Causes brassy or green discoloration in blonde hair
Iron – Dries out hair and alters its texture
Magnesium – Reduces shine
Sulfates – Strip natural oils
Chlorine & Calcium – Clog follicles and cause buildup
Lead – Interferes with colouring and perming
Silica – Leaves residue on hair and fixtures
These minerals reduce the effectiveness of shampoo, cause scalp irritation, and leave a buildup on both hair and tools.
⚠️ Locally pumped or well water (not from municipal systems) often has even higher mineral content, making it worse than city water for salon use.
How Hard Water Affects Hair Colour
Uneven Colour Application. Metals build up on the hair shaft, preventing colour from absorbing evenly. This leads to patchy or inconsistent color, despite your best efforts. Sometimes colour doesn't even penetrate the hair.
Brassy Tones and Fading. Copper in the water reacts with color, especially in blonde and lightened hair, creating unwanted brassy or greenish tones. Iron can cause red or orange undertones, making it harder to maintain your client's desired colour.
Longer Processing Time. The minerals in hard water create a barrier that slows down the colour process. Your client’s colour may take longer to develop, leading to extended appointment times and potential frustration.
Why Clean Water Matters for Hair Colour
Filtered water helps:
Achieve Even Color: With metals removed, hair absorbs colour more evenly, giving you consistent, beautiful results.
Extend Colour Life: Clean water helps prevent colour from fading too quickly, meaning clients leave with vibrant, long-lasting colour.
How to Improve Colouring Quality in Your Salon
The Importance of Metal Removers for Hair Care
The must-have solution in such cases is metal removers for hair. Removing metals from the hair requires time and patience.
Currently, the top product on the market is K18; after just a few applications, you’ll already see a noticeable difference
Install Showerhead Filters.
Showerhead filters are a quick and affordable solution for removing chlorine and metals like copper and iron. They can be attached directly to your existing showerhead for cleaner water during color treatments.
A great solution for home use: Sprite Showers
Whole-Salon Filtration Systems.
For a more comprehensive solution, consider installing a whole-salon filtration system that ensures all your water is free of contaminants. This ensures your colour services, shampoos, and treatments all use purified water for the best results.
Recommendation: Blue Filters, which were easy to install in any basins.
Conclusion
As a professional colourist, clean water is essential for achieving vibrant, long-lasting colour. By installing a water filter in your salon and recommending doing so for clients at home, you can ensure even colour, prevent brassy tones, and speed up processing times. Also, the right home-care products for the clients are essential. Don’t let hard water stand in the way of your clients’ perfect colour.
Don't forget to mark down the procedures that you made for your clients in the Stay in Charm App
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