- By Prerna Targhotra
- Fri, 10 Jan 2025 04:44 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Side-Effects Of Hot Showers: Cold winter mornings beg for long, hot showers to shake off the chill. But have you ever wondered if this comforting habit might be secretly damaging your hair? As much as hot showers feel great, especially in winter, they just might not be doing your hair any favours. Dr Jangid, Dermatologist, Hair Transplant Surgeon and founder of SkinQure Clinic, Saket New Delhiexplains how hot water affects your hair and what you can do to protect it.
Can Hot Water Damage Your Hair?
Hot water strips your scalp and hair of natural oils. These oils are important since they keep your hair soft, shining, and oiled. Without them, your hair goes dry, brittleness occurs, and then frizz arises. With the passage of time, this further leads to split ends and breakage of hair, and they look quite ugly and unappealing.
For coloured or chemically treated hair, hot water could spell even more disasters. It may speed up the fading of hair dyes and make the hair look dull. On the already fragile strands of hair, it may make them more prone to breakage.
What About Your Scalp?
Your scalp can also be affected by constant exposure to hot water. The heat might dry out your scalp, which causes itchiness and flaking; it can almost imitate dandruff. On the other hand, your scalp may overproduce oil to replace the lost moisture, making your hair greasy not long after washing.
Tips to Save Your Hair In Winter
Well, the good news is that you're not just condemned to let go of your love for hot showers. Here are some easy tips to protect your hair while enjoying your winter showers:
- Use Lukewarm Water: Use lukewarm water instead of hot to wash your hair. Gentle on the scalp and hair, it nevertheless keeps you warm.
- Cool Rinse: After shampooing, cool water should be used to rinse the hair. This closes the cuticle, locking in moisture and making the hair appear more lustrous.
- Shower Cap: If you cannot give up your hot showers, put on a shower cap so your hair is not at the receiving end of a beating from the direct heat.
- Moisturise: Hydrating shampoos, conditioners, and hair masks should be used regularly to keep the hair nourished and moisturized.
- Bringing down the water temperature to a level at which you still feel good and using proper hair care products should help enjoy a warm shower. Just a few simple adjustments will let your hair be soft and shiny through all seasons, with no compromise on winter weather.
ALSO READ: Winter Haircare: Combating Dryness And Flakiness In Cold Weather With Expert-Recommended Tips
