Do Hot Showers Do More Harm Than Good?

Introduction

The temperature of water you shower with matters more than you can fathom. While many people prefer hot water showers as they help them shake the laziness away, some also prefer cold showers as it makes them more alert and ready to take on the day. Especially in the winter, when one usually lacks the motivation to get into the shower, the thought of hot water running over the body is a rather enticing one. But are frequent hot showers really a good idea? What is the right temperature of water for a shower? Read on to know more about hot water shower disadvantages and the right temperature of water to shower with.

What Are the Benefits of Hot Showers?

Hot showers definitely promise relaxation as they are a warm embrace, especially in the winter months. They help the body to relieve muscle tension and get rid of fatigue and while rendering some extra benefits to the skin. In a nutshell, taking a hot water shower brings along the following benefits:

• It induces a relaxed sleep if taken at night.
• Offers comfort to muscles and joints.
• The soothing effect on a blocked nose helps clear nasal passages. 

While hot water showers enhance mobility and maybe your only reason to even shower in the first place, they definitely need to be limited and for more than one reason. 

Dangers Associated With Frequent Showers With Very Hot Water

If you prefer taking a hot shower over a cold one or you are someone who needs to quickly hop into a hot shower to help you sleep well at night, then you are overdoing it. Showering with very hot water does more harm than good. Hot showers are known to activate the parasympathetic part of the nervous system that makes you feel tired and want relaxation, often sleep-induced. But, its far-reaching effects are hardly restricted to just the physical and internal. If you find yourself looking into the mirror and asking, does a hot water shower damage your hair? Then the answer is in the affirmative. Some other side effects of showering with hot water are:

• It tends to increase blood pressure and thus can be problematic for those suffering from cardiovascular diseases and high blood pressure.
• It rids the skin cells of their natural moisture causing itchy skin and scaly appearance.
• For people with skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, etc., hot water showers are a really bad idea as they make such conditions worse.
• It can cause redness and inflammation of the skin.
• It damages the keratin in the skin and hair, preventing moisture from locking in and making them dry and brittle. 

How to Get the Benefits of a Hot Shower and Negate the Dangers?

Using lukewarm water is the answer! Proven by science, using lukewarm water on the body while washing the hair with normal temperature water does wonders for you, and not just in the winter. It is only understandable that anything extreme is bad news; the same goes for using water at extreme temperatures for showers. While both do have their benefits, they are not just restricted to that; they come along with certain disadvantages as well. 

Benefits of Lukewarm Showers

Using lukewarm water for your shower serves the purpose of taking a shower without any need to worry about its detrimental impact. 

• It cools and balances the body temperature 
• Enhances blood circulation
• Helps the skin to retain its natural oils and moisture
• It enhances the effectiveness of skincare and haircare products being used without taking away from their intended action and effects.

How Warm Should Your Ideal Winter Shower Be?

Having taken a look at hot water shower side effects and having established the viability of a lukewarm shower instead, it is imperative to ask this follow-up question. The answer lies in striking a healthy balance between hot and cold water temperatures. The perfect temperature is one which is neither too hot nor too cold but just the right mix to wash off muscle tension and get you ready for the day or a good night’s sleep, whichever may be the case. 

Benefits of Using Cold Water (normal temperature) for Washing the Head

While using lukewarm water on the body is the best-case scenario, using the same on your head is advised against. Instead, using cold water to wash your head is a welcome move.

• It helps preserve the natural oils without damaging the keratin in the hair.
• It retains moisture, making the hair shiny and the scalp smooth.
• It helps reduce cuticle damage, leading to better hair texture.

Conclusion

Showering with excessively hot or cold water yields differing effects and are best when avoided. Since the only purpose of taking a shower is not just washing off the dirt and grime, it is important to give the deserved impetus to the right temperature of water. Using lukewarm water not just serves the purpose of a shower, but also helps you to eliminate the worry that accompanies using hot or cold water. The ideal temperature for Indian winters and offering extra care for your body and skin, lukewarm water just made getting in the shower more rewarding than it already was!

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

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