If you would like your hair to look shinier and healthier, we highly recommend using distilled water instead of your regular tap water. Distilled water is pure and free from any hard mineral build up or harsh chemicals like chlorine. This makes distilled water an excellent addition to your hair care regimen.
Coming back to the debate between hot and cold water, the best way is to use lukewarm water to shampoo your hair as this water helps to cut out the dirt and grime leaving your scalp clean. Rinse off the shampoo and conditioner using cold water since this will keep the moisture intact.
“Rice water helps maintain a healthy scalp and promotes hair growth — the key to hair growth is starting with a healthy scalp,” says Kayla Vines, Inala's head chemist.
Using bottled water to wash your hair means you'll need a lot of it. And we do mean A LOT. We recommend using it only for the final rinse, as it will wash away lather and soap scum more efficiently than hard water. Afterward, it would be best if you still used a conditioner or a hair mask to get the full benefits.
Finishing a shower with a cold blast can help lock moisture in your hair, while also tightening your hair follicles, meaning reduced hair loss. Additionally, cold water helps to close hair cuticles, which enables the hair to reflect light resulting in a high shine.
Dr. Enrizza P. Factor, a clinical dermatologist and researcher, said, "Cold water can help your hair to become stronger and healthier over time. Cold water not only helps the scalp retain its moisture, [but] it also seals down the hair cuticles and helps lock moisture into the strands themselves."
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.
Disadvantages Of Cold Water
When washed with cold water, there are chances that your enclosed hair cuticles lock in excessive moisture. This may weigh down your hair and make it flat. Also, the moisture increases the binding of your hair strands, resulting in a decrease in hair volume overall.
Apart from locking in moisture from your conditioner, closing your hair cuticles and pores with cold water will help to prevent grease, oil, and dirt from entering your scalp. In short, washing your hair with cold water can go a long way in helping to keep your hair hydrated and strong.
The thing is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Overusing hot water causes stress to your tresses, which can lead to frizzy, brittle and dry hair. Cold water, on the other hand, tends to trap moisture in the hair, resulting in excess moisture, making the hair look flat, with no volume.
Washing your hair at night gives it more time to dry naturally, which is great for the health of your scalp and hair. Exposing your hair to the highest heat setting of your hairdryer when you're in a hurry can cause severe damage.
For most of us, lukewarm water around 100F (just above body temperature) provides enough warmth for shampoos to cleanse hair well without damaging the scalp.
Heat causes frizzy hair, and hot water is no exception. No matter what your hair type, the hair needs moisture to stay frizz free. Because hot water can strip the hair of natural oils, moisture escapes the hair shaft and results in frizz.
When to wash. Rossi generally tells his patients they should wash their hair once or twice per week. But if you've had chemical treatments that can make your hair drier — such as bleach, perms or relaxers — you might want to wash it less than once weekly to avoid breaking or brittle hair or split ends, he said.
Hot showers aren't just damaging to the skin, either – they can also wreak havoc on your hair. Scalding water is just as stripping for your scalp and strands. It can cause the scalp to overproduce oil and can also break protein bonds and damage the hair cuticle.
Lukewarm water is advisable to wash your face with, but cold water has its benefits, too. Cold water tightens the appearance of your skin, so it may make you look renewed and refreshed. It also helps boost your circulation, which can help give your skin a healthier appearance, albeit temporarily.
There's a way around unruly locks, according to the professionals: give your hair a quick blow dry before bed, making sure that it's around 80% dry before hitting the pillow. "Additionally, you can braid or wrap a silk scarf around your hair to keep it from getting tangled while you sleep," Jones adds.
After 30 days of cold showers, most individuals report feeling more alert, having more energy, having healthier skin and hair, improved mental health and resilience, improved circulation, and more.