The top 4 benefits of a cold shower
Photos EON Productions
Words Matthieu Morge-Zucconi
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What if it was time to give up your hot shower?
The top 4 benefits of a cold shower
What if it was time to give up your hot shower?
When it's cold outside, there are few things more enjoyable than a hot shower. It gently wakes you up in the morning, and in the evening, it can be the perfect way to warm up after a sometimes challenging day. But as we know, nothing is perfect. And hot showers have one big drawback: they can dry out your skin and hair.
In hot water, your skin can easily lose its natural oils, removing its protective barrier and allowing the moisture within to evaporate. As a result, your skin could be drier after a hot shower, even if you use a moisturising shower gel. All those efforts in vain – frustrating, isn't it?
So should we instead deprive ourselves of the pleasure of a hot shower? Of course not, we’re not masochists. Keeping your skin well-moisturized doesn't necessarily mean systematically subjecting yourself to cold showers, although they can certainly have great effects. There's a simpler solution to: at the end of your shower, finish with a burst of cold water.
That old chestnut of an expression "the best of both worlds" really makes sense here. Firstly, you get to enjoy the comforting warmth of your hot shower, and then you get the advantages of a cold shower without the negative effects (frozen extremities). In fact standing under a stream of cold water for at least two minutes – the time required for the desired biological effects to appear – offers numerous benefits.
Cold shower = better circulation
First and foremost, you'll improve your blood circulation: rapid exposure to cold water causes blood vessels to constrict, which can limit skin problems such as redness. Cold water also redirects blood flow to deeper vessels, improving circulation to your heart. Always a good thing.
Cold shower = better skin
Cold water prevents transepidermal water loss, thus leaving skin better hydrated. It’s simple: skin exposed to cold water retains its moisture more effectively than if it were allowed to evaporate. That’s science for you.
Cold shower = better mood
Cold showers are of course best known for their invigorating effects, but this can put you in a better mood, especially in the morning. The cold triggers the release of norepinephrine, a hormone that affects your mood and emotions, as well as your alertness. Definitely a helpful way to start the day!
Cold shower = better hair
For your hair, water that's too hot can have the same effect as for your skin: it dries out the scalp by eliminating the sebum needed that your hair needs to keep itself healthy. Ever noticed that when you wash your hair with hot water in the morning, you end up with a flat hairstyle? Exactly. To avoid this, we recommend washing your hair in the evening, which will give your scalp time to secrete the sebum it needs to stay healthy overnight. If you don't have time in the evening and absolutely want to wash your hair in the morning, cold water and a gentle shampoo can help minimize damage.
Of course, it is not always easy to immerse yourself in cold water. If you’re not ready to take the plunge, a lukewarm shower will have fewer negative effects on your skin than a really hot one. By using a moisturising shower gel followed by a body moisturiser, you can still give your skin the protection it wants.
But a word of caution: don’t take this too far! Cold showers can be great, but a shower under 16 degrees C may be too cold. After all, you're not a polar bear!
Shower gels for better showers