Lagos
Nigeria · Africa
The water
199 mg/LVery hard
Source: PMC Lagos coastal aquifer study · Published figure. Hardness counts dissolved calcium and magnesium in the water; it is the number your hair meets in the shower.
What very hard water does to hair
Expect rapid build-up: hair turns rough and dull, tangles at the ends and fades in colour as the coating thickens. Frequent chelating (detox) washes and deep conditioning are the standing routine here, particularly for bleached or porous hair.
The washing routine for Lagos
Treat detox as the default: a chelating (detox) wash every second wash, a gentle formula on the days between, and never skip conditioner. Add a weekly deep treatment on longer stays to protect porous or bleached hair from the rapid build-up.
Climate, from recent records (Open-Meteo, ERA5 2015-2024): January is the warmest month, averaging 32°C by day, and humidity peaks in September at about 87% on average. In the hot months, sun and sweat do as much damage as the water: shade, a hat and a rinse after swimming carry the routine. In the humid months, frizz is the main event; anti-humidity styling matters more than wash frequency.
Local note: Wet-season mean from coastal aquifer study.
Plugs and power for your tools
Sockets: Type D and G. Supply: 230 V, 50 Hz.
A 120 V only dryer or styler (North American) will burn out on this supply, and a plug adapter does not change voltage. Check the label for dual voltage (100-240 V) before you plug in.
Plug, voltage and frequency: IEC World Plugs and national standards.
Plan Lagos properly
The trip planner turns this water profile into a wash plan for your hair type, a chosen kit and a packing list, month by month.