Deionized Vs. Distilled Water for Hair Color

Thinking about changing your hair color? Know the difference between deionized and distilled water.

When considering coloring your hair, little thought is often given to details such as the type of water you should use. Deionized and distilled water seem very similar, but the differences are significant.

Deionized vs. Distilled

Deionized water is passed through a column or membrane to remove ions. Distilled water is boiled in a still and the condensation is then collected and distributed. Distilling removes both ionic and non-ionic compounds.

Ionic Compounds

Ionic compounds are two ions that are held together by electricity. Ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points and tend to be very hard and brittle. Ionic compounds conduct electricity when dissolved in water.

Hair Color

Many hair color products recommend the use of deionized water to color hair. Hair color products also contain deionized water. Distilled water is usually recommended if you are intending to temporarily dye your hair and return to your natural color (if you are dying your hair blue for a play) or if you want to enhance the natural color of your hair. It is also found in many natural recipes for bringing out highlights naturally found in your hair.

References

• Ask A Scientist: Distilled vs. Deionized Water
• Mister Guch: All about Ionic Compounds
• The Free Library: Easy Hair Color Creme
• Holistic Beauty: Light Mountain Henna