With the harsh weather and dropping temperatures outside, using hot water can sometimes dry out our skin and hair. It may be very tempting for a person to want to submerge in a hot bath or relax in a steamy shower. Cold water is actually known to be better for you. Unlike hot water, it does not dry skin and hair, making them prone to damage.

While there is no way to instantly repair years of damage done, there are some simple tips that can aid in that repair. There are some shampoos, conditioners, and leave-in products that can really help reduce the damage by introducing vitamins and some oils back into our hair. There are advantages to both hot and cold water.

Washing your hair in lukewarm water, however, is the best. Hot water has a tendency to burn it and causes it to dry out. It has the same effects as a curling iron or a flat iron. If the water is too hot, it will scald the shaft and the scalp. That will not help the damage that is already done and will cause further damage! It can also become brittle and fade, for those with color-treated hair. You can help repair and tame your hair by using the right water temperature.

Your hair shaft and scalp alike need the natural oils that are produced by going a few days without hair washing. When you wash your hair on a daily basis, you end up stripping your hair of those oils. This can actually cause your hair to become greasy or dry; depending on your hair type. People who have naturally oily hair may need to wash their hair more often. They have a higher sebum production but may still suffer from dry hair with constant hair washing. If you have fairly dry hair the lack of constant hair washing will be more beneficial.

SEBUM:

Both our skin and our hair are protected by a layer of natural oil or lubrication called sebum. Hot water can dry up that layer of sebum, making our skin dry and causing fragility. If we go directly out after a hot shower, Hot water can also lead to the pores becoming clogged. Cold showers are one of the great anti-aging secrets for keeping your skin tight, elastic, vibrant, and radiant looking. They can also lead to stronger hair, which can prevent it from easily falling out and slow down overall hair loss.

FEWER FRIZZES:

Hot water dries out your hair stripping it of its natural healthy oils. After you wash your hair in warm water, using both your shampoo and conditioner, bathing in cold water helps close the cuticles. This helps to support hair strength and even comes with the added benefit of shiny, less frizzy appearing hair. If you have natural hair this is a very IMPORTANT factor because natural hair tends to be more on frizzy size!

Cold Water Closure

The cold water will lock in the oils and chemicals from the shampoo. Cold water closes the pores. When the water hits your scalp and hair, the pores will close without the hair fully being cleansed. That will lead to oily hair, an itchy scalp, and frequent showers for your hair to feel clean again. What you want is for the vitamins to be locked into your hair and not the shampoo. Washing your hair with lukewarm water will aid in the vitamins being absorbed, but not the shampoo or conditioner chemicals. Since the lukewarm water washes the scalp clean with no residue, you won’t have to wash your hair as frequently.