When it comes to washing your hair, you need a handful of things. You have your shampoo, conditioner, and maybe even a hair mask or two. Well, all those hair products won’t do you much good without the key to the whole routine: water, glorious water.
An obvious point, we know, but have you ever thought about the water in your shampoo beyond just turning it on and off? Well, it turns out that water temperature is a key factor in the overall health of your hair and scalp. Should you soap yourself with hot water? Cold water? Very hot water with a jet of cold water for two seconds? We needed answers, so we spoke with experts to find the answer.
What happens when you wash your hair with hot water?
If you like super hot, steamy showers, you might want to switch it up on hair wash day. “Washing with hot water can strip natural oils and moisture from hair, leading to dryness and potential damage,” says a New York dermatologist. Jody Alpert Levine, MD.
Think about it: we stock hair products like heat protectants so we can safely use harmful tools like hair dryers and curling irons. And yet, the heat damage from hot water doesn’t go away once you apply a hydrating hair mask. Using hot water can cause damage below the surface.
“Not only can hot water damage your scalp, it can also damage your hair follicles,” warns the New York hairstylist. Nicolas Malabett Pineda. “At the end of the day, you never want boiling water to touch your hair.” Note!
One way to heal this damage is to look for products with a few nourishing ingredients. “Natural oils, like jojoba oil and oregano oil, can hydrate, shine and nourish hair, while humectants like glycerin attract moisture to the hair.” shares a board-certified dermatologist based in Texas Kellie Reed, MD. “You can also look for proteins like hydrolyzed keratin and silk proteins to strengthen the hair shaft.”
“Head & Shoulders is one of my long-time favorite products for dry scalps,” says Dr. Levine. This specific line takes the brand’s classic anti-dandruff formula up a notch by adding nourishing ingredients like jojoba and argan oil.
This deep conditioning mask contains two of Dr. Reed’s favorite ultra-nourishing ingredients: jojoba seed oil and glycerin. Its texture is luxurious, rich and creamy without weighing down your hair.
What happens when you wash your hair with cold water?
Believe it or not, cold H2O has its benefits, especially when it comes to getting the most out of your hair products.
“Rinsing your hair with cold water is really ideal for keeping the product you just applied on the hair,” explains a California hairstylist. Katelyn Ellsworth. “It will remove excess product without stripping away all the moisturizing ingredients. It seals the cuticle, which locks in that moisture and gives you more shine.”
Good to know! It’s been that long…
