Brrrr…
I get it. The thought itself shudders your body. But hear me out before chickening out, okay? (P.S. It isn’t as bad as you may imagine.)
Cold showers are one of the simplest yet effective ways to enhance many aspects of your health, skin, and hair. The former two are a topic for some other day. Today, we shall stick to discussing its benefits for hair.
4 Benefits of Cold Showers for Hair
1. Keeps Moisture Intact
Unlike hot showers, cold showers do not disrupt your hair follicles and leave them prone to weakness. Instead, cold water keeps the hair cuticles closed, thus allowing your hair to retain moisture.
Pro-tip: Wash off your conditioner using cold water for an added blast of moisture and nourishment for your hair.
2. Shinier Strands
The first point and the most significant benefit of cold showers unlock other advantages with it.
When the cuticles of your hair (the outermost layer of hair strands) are closed, they retain moisture inside them. As a result, the hair reflects light and looks shinier naturally. They also become a lot smoother and more manageable.
3. Stronger Roots
As discussed earlier, hot water leaves the roots or hair follicles weak. Cold water poses no such risk. In fact, it leaves your hair stronger thanks to its ability to seal in moisture (#throwback).
4. Fewer Hair Problems
Stronger roots eliminate a lot of hair problems and conditions like hair fall, premature greying, split ends, hair thinning, curling, etc.
Similarly, when hair has ample supplies of its natural oils and moisture, it can prevent frizziness, dandruff, flakiness, and dry scalp.
5. Promotes Hair Growth
Most of us have experienced the feeling of a blood rush in cold temperatures. A factor that plays in favour of hair growth.
Cold water fastens the blood circulation in your scalp through which it receives vital nutrients more frequently. Thus, the growth of your hair speeds up too.
Cold Showers for Hair FAQs
Do I have to shower in cold water throughout my bath?
Thankfully, that is not advised.
However, hot showers are still a no-go due to their unhealthy effects on hair. Use room temperature or warm water at the beginning of your shower. Finish off with a final rinse of cold water for at least 2 to 3 minutes.
Are cold showers better for hair than hot showers?
Yes. Although they may not make a huge difference instantly, cold showers are definitely a better choice for long-term hair health.
Can a cold shower damage my hair?
Prolonged exposure of hair to cold water might do more harm than good. Hence, sticking to a cold rinse only for 2 to 3 minutes is the safest route to reap the benefits of cold water for hair.