"Hot water can cause inflammation in the skin surface, resulting in a loss of moisture," the skin doctor explained. "Think about when you spend too long in the shower - your fingers go wrinkly, you skin becomes dry, and your body needs a deeply hydrating moisturiser.
Experts we spoke with strongly recommend against hot showers. That's because hot water strips the skin of water content and breaks down its natural barrier function. As a result, your skin can become dry, itchy and irritated.
It's true that long, hot showers may feel restorative, but they can dry and irritate the skin, says Lisa Akintilo, MD, a dermatologist and an assistant professor at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
Cold showers can help reduce inflammation, relieve pain, improve circulation, lower stress levels, and reduce muscle soreness and fatigue. Hot showers, meanwhile, can improve cardiovascular health, soothe stiff joints, and improve sleep. Understanding when to take a hot or cold shower is essential.
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. From my viewpoint, I noticed an increase in morning alertness every single day.
Here's What Happens to Your Body When Taking Hot Showers | Dr. Mandell
Why do hot showers feel so good?
“Your muscles are relaxed, and you're not as tense.” That's because hot water widens your blood vessels and increases blood flow, which helps transport soreness-inducing lactic acid away from tired muscles. Likewise, the water massaging your skin can improve circulation, which has a similar effect.
Many doctors say a daily shower is fine for most people. (More than that could start to cause skin problems.) But for many people, two to three times a week is enough and may be even better to maintain good health. It depends in part on your lifestyle.
When done in excess, they can age your skin faster. The cause? Too much time in the sauna and hot showers causes skin to be excessively dry. This dryness is worsened if you are the type to rigorously wipe your body dry with a towel instead of patting it gently.
Both saunas and hot baths (or hot tubs) seem to be safe for people with stable heart disease and even mild heart failure. But people with unstable chest pain (angina), poorly controlled high blood pressure, or other serious heart issues should avoid them.
We know that hot showers are dehydrating, for this reason, there are certain cases when hot showers should be avoided altogether: Avoid a hot shower after consuming too much alcohol.
According to most dermatologists, the ideal shower temperature is anywhere between 98°F (37°C) and 104°F (40°C)—and no more than 105 °F (41°C). Rinsing under lukewarm water allows you to stay comfortable and maintain your body temperature while reaping all the benefits of both hot and cold showers.
Hot tubs typically register 100-104 degrees. All of these potentially relaxing experiences can dilate (enlarge) your blood vessels, divert blood from your core to your skin and lower your blood pressure. Your body then compensates for the lower blood pressure by increasing your heart rate by about 30 percent.
Keep in mind that showering twice a day or frequently taking hot or long showers can strip your skin of important oils. This can lead to dry, itchy skin. Skipping showers for a long time can also cause infections, acne, and dermatitis neglecta.
The frequent hot showers and baths can cause dry skin, rashes, and cracks. Instead of opting for the hot water shower opt for a cooler or lukewarm shower. A lukewarm shower just a few times a week has the power to keep the skin hydrated, and the hairs strong and healthy.
In people with high blood pressure or heart disease, the risk of stroke is higher when bathing at night. In young people, bathing at night can easily lead to vasoconstriction, especially when taking a cold shower, making it difficult for blood to circulate, leading to body aches and even chronic headaches.
View Source in water between 104 and 108.5 degrees Fahrenheit improves sleep quality. Those who bathe or shower one to two hours before bedtime also fall asleep faster. The researchers theorize that warm water stimulates blood flow to the hands and feet, which allows body heat to escape more quickly.
The total running time of this kind of shower can last less than two minutes – using an initial thirty seconds or so to get wet, followed by shutting off the water, using soap and shampoo and lathering, then rinsing for a minute or less.
In general, taking 15-20 minutes of continuous shower time is considered longer than the recommended range of 5-10 minutes for a standard shower. While not necessarily ``abnormal,'' it is generally considered an inefficient use of water resources and can contribute to higher utility costs.
Most dermatologists say that your shower should last between five and 10 minutes to cleanse and hydrate your skin, but no longer than 15 minutes to avoid drying it out. You can still benefit from the shower length you prefer, whether long and luxurious, quick and efficient or somewhere in the middle.
Hot showers and baths- While indulging in a steamy shower or bath may be relaxing, prolonged exposure to hot water can strip the skin of its natural oils and moisture. Hot water can disrupt the skin's lipid barrier, leading to increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
Taking a warm shower can create a calming effect and may help reduce stress and anxiety levels. Improved Sleep Quality: A warm shower before bedtime can aid in improving sleep quality.
