Here’s the root of why hard water is a problem. Luke Carthy, founder of Black hair brand, Afrodrops, recently told R29: “The problem is that calcium and magnesium [in hard water] produce a film on your hair which makes it difficult for water and moisture to penetrate the hair shaft.” Carthy added, “This is worsened further for curly and afro hair as the hair is often thicker, requiring more water in order for the hair to be saturated. Not being able to get that water into your [strands] is where the problems start, and it’s the source of the dreaded symptoms associated with hard-water hair damage.”