Is washing hair with cold water safe for all hair types? Yes, it improves blood circulation, closes pores, and reduces frizz and breakage, which is beneficial for all hair types.
While hot water does a great job of removing dirt and residue from your hair, it can cause dryness and irritation. Cold water doesn't dissolve natural oils and boosts moisture levels, which promotes good hair health.
You need a temperature that's high enough to deep clean dirt and grime, but not so high as to cause irritation. Just above body temperature is perfect– so around 100F. It's the ideal balance to keep your hair clean and healthy and your scalp free from irritation.
“Cold water can help prevent the loss of natural oils from hair and may help conditioning agents and hair masks to work better. It may also allow keratin treatments and hair dye to last longer,” she says. This is because overly hot temperatures may strip hair of oils and wash away too much, if not all, of your product.
First of all, always wash your hair with distilled water. Hard water contains minerals like magnesium and calcium that can build up on the scalp and hair and harm them in the long. Secondly, wash your hair every two to three days as per your need.
Moreover, cold water can enhance your scalp's blood circulation. Better blood flow means more nutrients and oxygen reach your hair follicles, promoting healthier and stronger hair growth.
Washing on cold temperatures
Your washing machine will have the option to wash on cold water, which can be as low as 20°C, but most machines set their cold water settings on 30°C.
A cold wash generally refers to a temperature of either 20 or 30 degrees Celsius. This means that yes, 20 degrees definitely is considered a cold wash. Most modern washing machines have an option to wash at 20 degrees, but if not then 30 degrees is also fine if you need to do a cold wash!
It's important to consider the temperature of water when taking care of your locks. The water should be warm. If it is too hot, it can damage your skin and hair. You need a temperature high enough to deep clean dirt and grime in your hair, but not so high that it causes irritation.
Improves Scalp Blood Circulation
When you wash your hair with cold water, your blood capillaries open wider and there is a free flow of blood to your scalp. Through this, your hair roots receive all the essential nutrients from the blood, resulting in healthy hair growth.
This is because cold water closes the hair cuticles and pores in the scalp. This process adds luster and shine to the hair as the cuticles have been closed. It helps in sealing in the hair's moisture and also helps in clumping your coils and curls together for even more definition.
Things like aggressive brushing and combing, sleeping on wet hair or rough fabrics that create friction, constantly pulling your strands into styles that are too tight, and heat styling are all some of the main reasons why hair breaks.
Cold water also helps improve blood circulation, ensuring better delivery of the nutrients and minerals from your diet up to your scalp. Better circulation also helps your body remove wastes more efficiently, which otherwise could cause your hair to grow more slowly. Cons: However, cold water tends to flatten the hair.
Cold showers increase circulation and decrease inflammation, improving skin and hair health and appearance. Cold water also tightens skin pores.
Helping your clothes stay vibrant and last longer - Washing with a warm water temperature − on cycles at 40°C or higher – is more suitable for heavy soiling, but can come with a few downsides such as colours fading and shrinking fabrics. Washing at 30 degrees can help keep your colours vibrant an minimise shrinking.
If you're worried about being in contact with bacteria or viruses, then 60 degrees is the way to go.
Generally 40°C and above can be classed as a warm wash and most clothing can be washed at these temperatures.
In tests, 30-degree programs cleaned better than 20-degree programs, but they still didn't wash out some stains such as olive-oil-based stains as well as a 40-degree wash. Greasy stains lifted even better if put on a 60-degree cycle.
10C: This is cold for everyone, including those who do cold water swimming every day. Limit swims to 45 minutes and don't attempt without a wetsuit at very least. 8C: Do not enter the water for more than a very short period of time – max 30 minutes – for the most experienced swimmers. 5C: This is called Ice swimming.
Cold water therapy means immersing your body in cold water (water that's less than 15°C). To give you a rough idea, the water coming from your cold tap at home will be less than 20°C (and usually between 10 and 20°C). Cold water therapy can involve taking an ice bath, a cold shower or having an outdoor swim.
"There is no evidence or scientific data that cold water has an impact on hair growth," Longsworth said. "Instead, using properly pH-balanced products to wash and condition the hair is far more important. Ideally, hair products should have a pH between 4.5 and 5.5 to mimic the scalp's natural pH."
And just a blast can protect your Hair from further damage, while keeping dirt and grime from getting into your scalp's pores, making your head a happier, glossier one. But a little too much cold will make your Hair flat and strip you of your Volume.