Is Cold Water Good for Your Hair: Debunking Common Misconceptions
There is a lot of discussion on what type of water one should use to maintain healthy hair.
It involves chemical composition, pH, and many such questions.
One central question related to this topic is the water temperature that should be used to wash hair.
Simply put, one asks whether cold or hot water is good for hair.
There are many debates on this topic. Everyone lists their own set of pros and cons.
The truth is that though you can use both hot and cold for hair wash, it is ideal to take the middle path and use lukewarm water.
The ideal temperature of the water should be 100 °F.
This temperature is just above your body temperature, which is 98.6 °F.
It is good enough for hair.
The reason is that it can provide enough warmth for the shampoo to cleanse hair or scalp thoroughly.
It can do this without harming the scalp.
Read on to learn whether cold water is good for your hair.
Importance of water temperature
The water temperature is essential for your hair wash.
If it is not at the right temperature, it may cause hair damage.
It doesn’t cause direct hair fall. But it may lead to severe effects that might be a potential factor for hair loss.
Too cold water
Too cold water is said to be any water below 70 °F.
If you use water that is too cold for your hair wash, it may cause mild damage. These include:
Brittle hair
If you have brittle hair, you may notice frizz and split ends.
Your hair is prone to breaking (split ends) and appears dull or lifeless. This happens as it lacks luster.
Moreover, it can be challenging to manage or style it.
This can happen due to showering and washing your hair in too cold water.
Even if you go swimming in too cold water during summer, it can make your hair brittle.
Constriction of scalp capillaries
In a study of the capillary bed of the human scalp, it was revealed that the connective tissue sheath surrounding the follicle and the dermal papilla contain fenestrated capillaries.
The capillaries’ function is to exchange oxygen, nutrients, etc., between your blood and tissues.
Your scalp needs healthy capillaries for good blood flow. It contributes to making your hair healthy and supports hair growth.
The cold water may constrict capillaries, causing hindrance in blood flow, which may ultimately lead to hair fall.
Too hot water
If the water is too hot, it can range from 140 to 180 °F. Water at this temperature can severely damage your hair.
You may already know how much heat hair styling products like curlers, straighteners, or dryers can damage your hair.
This may happen with washing your hair with too hot water also. You may see these effects by using water with high temperatures.
Dry hair
If you use too hot hair, you may notice your hair has become dull.
Dry hair is prone to breakage as it cannot retain enough moisture.
Not only just water with extremely high temperatures but other types of heat like:
- Living in a hot climate
- Spending a lot of time outside in the sun
- Regularly blow-drying your hair
- Using electric curling irons or straighteners
Scalp inflammation
The hot water can burn, irritate, and inflame your scalp tissue, causing it to become red and swollen.
This inflammation may make it more difficult for your hair and scalp to absorb nutrients and oxygen, which could result in hair loss.
Stripping of hair moisture
Taking a hot water bath and washing your hair in the same may contribute to stripping of moisture from your skin and hair.
Too hot water affects the oily layer of the scalp, which results in a lack of moisture in the hair.
What temperature of cold water can you use?
Cold water roughly means water with a temperature between 33 °F and 74 °F.
It is lower than the desired temperature of water for hair wash.
However, mixing hot and cold water can make it usable for hair wash. This type of water relates to lukewarm water.
Advantages of using cold water
Cold water at a desirable temperature suits your hair. It has some advantages that include:
Preserves natural oils
The cold water helps lock the natural oils when you wash your hair.
This helps in keeping the moisture intact in your hair.
Moisture is very much essential for healthy hair.
It prevents dryness, brittleness, and dullness of hair. It also protects the hair from breakage.
Gives shiny hair
The outer layer of each hair strand comprises micro shingles.
The ends of those shingles rise when the hair becomes dried out.
You need to ensure that shingles are closed if you want beautiful hair.
The moisture that keeps the hair glossy might be lost if the cuticle has opened.
The cold water helps in closing the cuticles.
This makes it smooth, resulting in providing shine to your hair.
Prevents flyaways
Flyaways are a big problem for people who love their hair to be clean, smooth, and neat.
Flyaways are small unruly strands of hair that rise instead of lying flat against the rest of your hair.
Cold water can help in reducing flyaways.
Cleaner scalp
As mentioned before, cold water closes your hair cuticles. This also results in a cleaner scalp.
It may be because closed cuticles help prevent dirt, grease, and oil from getting in.
If you don’t keep the scalp clean, subsequent blockage from sweat, debris, and extra oils can cause various problems.
The issues may include inflammation, intense itching, and dandruff.
Improve blood circulation
When the scalp receives more blood flow, it encourages hair growth, enhances luster, and gives hair more volume and bounce.
It is possible to encourage hair growth and resolve other scalp disorders by stimulating the scalp.
A study was conducted in which nine men were given standardized scalp massages.
Their hair thickness increased significantly at 24 weeks. Improvement in blood flow was given as a possible reason for this.
Precautions
Washing your hair with cold water has some benefits. Still, you should avoid using it in some circumstances like:
- Stay in a cold climate, or it’s winter
- Have a seasonal cough and cold
- You have Sinusitis (instead hot shower will help loosen mucus)
- When you have a fever
Takeaway
Is cold water good for your hair?— a question that is asked widely. The answer to this question is a little bit tricky.
The reason is that both hot and cold water have their own set of pros and cons.
However, using cold water with a bit of hot water can be beneficial.
Cold water can improve blood circulation, clean the scalp, give you shiny hair, and prevent flyaways.
The best part is that cold water helps retain the moisture in your hair which is essential for healthy hair.
However, using too cold water is not advised.
Also, using cold water when you have a fever, cough, cold, and Sinusitis is not recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cold water good for your hair growth?
Cold water is not scientifically proven to improve hair growth directly. However, it may contribute to giving you healthy and shiny-looking hair. It may provide hair luster, prevent flyaways, lock moisture, improve blood circulation, and clean the scalp.
Does cold water help thin hair?
People with thin hair might have hair breakage, numerous flyaways, and frizz. Cold water may be effective against all of this. Cold water locks the moisture in your hair which might be good for dry and thin hair.
Should I cold shower every day?
You may use a cold shower and wash your hair daily, but at a decent temperature. Too cold water should be avoided. Cold water increases blood circulation. It also does the same on the scalp, producing good and healthy hair.
Is hot or cold water good for your hair?
Both hot and cold water has their benefits and drawbacks. The water at 100 °F, which is just above the body temperature, might be good for your hair. It roughly relates to lukewarm water. You can make it by mixing cold water with some hot water.
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