Does the Temperature of the Water When Washing Your Hair Make a Difference? Discover the Effects of Hot and Cold Water on this Process
Choosing the right water temperature when washing your hair seems like a minor detail, but it can have a big impact on the health of your hair. Many people believe that cold water helps to “close the cuticles” and thus improves the shine and appearance of the hair, while hot water is seen as the villain, causing dryness and frizz. But is this idea really true? Let’s understand the effect of different washing temperatures and discover the best practice for caring for your hair.
Does Hot Water Really Damage Hair?
Hot water is relaxing, but when it comes to washing your hair, it can be problematic if used frequently. The high temperature of the water causes the hair cuticles to open excessively, which makes the hair more vulnerable to aggression. This excess opening allows shampoo and other products to remove more of the hair’s natural oils than necessary, leading to dryness. Dry hair tends to have frizz, dullness and a rough appearance.
In addition, hot water can affect the scalp, making it drier and, in some cases, encouraging an increase in oiliness in response to the loss of moisture. This can lead to more frequent use of products to try to control this oiliness, which further erodes hair health.
Does Cold Water Really Close Cuticles?
The idea that cold water closes hair cuticles is popular, but technically it’s not 100% correct. The hair cuticles – the outer layer that protects the structure of the hair – do not “close” with cold water. However, the lower temperature actually helps to keep these cuticles more aligned, which improves the shine and appearance of the hair. With the cuticles more aligned, the hair reflects light better, which gives it that healthy shine we’re looking for.
What’s more, cold water doesn’t harm the hair or aggressively remove natural oils, as hot water does, helping to maintain the natural balance of oils produced by the scalp.
Best Practice: Warm Water for Washing, Cold Water for Rinsing
The best practice when washing your hair is to start with lukewarm water and finish with a cold water rinse.
Let’s take a closer look at how each temperature works at each stage of the wash:
Rinse with warm water: warm water is ideal for the first stage of shampooing, as it helps to open the cuticles slightly, allowing the shampoo and conditioner to clean efficiently and facilitate the absorption of the products’ nutrients. Warm water dissolves excess oil and residue from the scalp without causing the extreme dryness of hot water.
Finish with cold water: Rinsing your hair with cold water at the end of the wash helps to “seal” the strands. Cold water contracts the cuticle, making the hair appear more aligned and shiny. This moderate closing prevents moisture loss, giving a healthier appearance and helping to reduce frizz.
Benefits of Using the Right Temperature when Washing Your Hair
When we use the right temperature, we provide a number of benefits for the hair and scalp:
Frizz reduction: with the cuticles more aligned, the hair is less prone to frizz and is easier to style.
More shine: a cold water helps to reflect light, which improves the shine and appearance of the hair.
Oil Balance: by avoiding the use of very hot water, the scalp maintains its natural balance of oils , preventing dryness or excess oil.
Natural Moisturizing: keeping the cuticles slightly closed with cold water after washing helps to preserve moisture in the hair, making it softer and healthier.
The temperature of the water does make a difference when washing your hair. Hot water can be relaxing, but it should be avoided when washing your hair to prevent dryness, frizz and excess oil on the scalp. Using lukewarm water when applying shampoo and conditioner, followed by a final rinse with cold water, is the ideal combination for an effective wash that maintains nutrients and guarantees a natural shine to the hair.
