SHOULD YOU WASH YOUR HAIR WITH HOT WATER OR COLD WATER?
Washing your hair is something you’ve likely been doing for years, if not decades. It is part of your weekly routine, but that doesn’t mean you’re doing it right. The products you use in your hair, along with the temperature you wash at, can make all the difference between a good hair day and a bad one.
So, should you be washing your hair with hot water or cold? We are here to answer that for you.
SHAMPOO: HOT WATER OR COLD?
You should use lukewarm water to wash your hair when shampooing. This is because lukewarm water allows the cuticles of your hair and the pores on your scalp to open up slightly, allowing you to cleanse your hair and remove any dirt or buildup that has accumulated on your scalp.
Avoid Hot Water. Sebum is a waxy substance that is produced by the sebaceous glands in your body. It mixes with fat molecules, called lipids, to form a protective coating on the surface of both your hair and skin. This surface helps hydrate your skin and hair, and protects them against harmful substances like pollution or bacteria. When you shower with hot water, the sebum on your hair and body is easily dissolved. As a result, your hair becomes dryer and more prone to breakage and frizz. Simply put, avoid hot water if you want a good hair day!
CONDITIONER: HOT OR COLD
If there’s one thing most hairstylists agree on, it’s that a cold rinse at the end of the shower can do wonders for your hair. This cold water trick is based on the anatomy of your hair cuticle.
The hair cuticle is the outermost part of the hair, and resembles shingles on a roof. Your cuticles open and close depending on the temperature of the water you use when you wash your hair. When you use warm or hot water to rinse your hair, your cuticles open, which can be beneficial to deeply cleansing your scalp but can also cause dry hair, flyaways, and breakage.
On the other hand, when you use cold water to wash your hair, your cuticles will close. Closed cuticles will result in more moisturized hair. In addition, when the cuticle layer is closed, more light will reflect off the hair, giving your hair more shine and a healthier look.
When using Routine, we recommend you use lukewarm water to rinse your hair after shampooing, and cool or cold water to rinse your hair after conditioning.
