Hair Metal Buildup - What It Is & How to Remove It

Metal buildup in hair is a common problem that many people face. It happens when metals like copper, iron, magnesium, and calcium accumulate in the hair over time, which can make the hair feel dry, brittle, and difficult to manage. If you're experiencing metal buildup in your hair, it's important to understand what causes it and how to get rid of it.

There are a few reasons why metal buildup occurs in hair: 

Hard Water 

Hard water, which contains high levels of minerals such as calcium and magnesium that can deposit in your hair. This can make your hair feel very dry and look dull, or even change certain hair colors Let's just say it won't make you feel fully fresh and clean. If you know you have hard water also refer to my blog How to Deal With Hard Water Buildup.

Chlorine 

Swimming in chlorinated water can strip your hair of its natural oils and cause metal buildup. This is because chlorine is put in pools to kil off bacteria, which means it has very concentrated chemicals that cause stripping and metal buildup.

Hair Products

Hair products contain metal ions that can deposit in the hair over time. Some of these products could be drug store sprays, gels, and mousses. 

How do I get rid of metal buildup?

Luckily, there are a few methods you can try to remove metal buildup from your hair. Clarifying shampoos are designed specifically for this purpose, and you can look for ones that contain chelating. Here are some great products to look into to help metal buildup: 

- Broad Spectrum Chelating Treatment purifies hair down to the cortex to remove product buildup, oil, hard water minerals, chlorine, heavy metals, pollutants, medications, and discoloring iron and copper deposits–all without stripping hair of its moisture and essential proteins.

The powerful, non-sudsing Broad Spectrum Chelating Blend with Vitamin C-rich Kakadu Plum Extract creates a clean slate to enhance the results of other chemical services that can be compromised by buildup, like keratin treatments, color, and perms. OLAPLEX Bond Building Technology maintains strong hair bonds during treatment, so hair looks and feels healthier after chelation.

The no-mix formula eliminates prep time and leftovers. No wasted time or product. Heat is optional. Adding heat will accelerate and intensify chelating effects for clients who need it.

- Nº^.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo is new technology to reveal your healthiest hair. Optimize your hair repair results by removing more impurities that damage hair. Harsh clarifiers can leave hair like straw. Nº^.4C is sulfate-free & pH balanced to maintain hydrated hair.

- L'ANZA PROFESSIONAL Ultimate Treatment Chelating Shampoo is an extra-gentle, color-safe formula that is sulfate-free and contains natural Gugo Bark to create rich, abundant lather. It quickly removes metallic build-up, hard water minerals, chlorine and other impurities. This shampoo uses only natural Phytic Acid derived from rice making it extremely effective, yet mild and safe for color-treated hair.

Summary: 

Metal buildup in hair is a frustrating issue, but there are ways to address it. By understanding the causes and using one of the methods mentioned above, you can get rid of metal buildup in your hair and restore it to its natural health and beauty.