Is Cold Water Good For Your Hair? Cold Water vs Hot

Is showering with cold water good for your hair? Here are the benefits of washing hair with cold water vs hot water.

We tend to focus on hair care when we get out of the shower, but an important part of our hair care routine should happen as soon as we get in.

The quality and temperature of the water, the shampoo and conditioner, as well as ensuring that you are washing your hair properly and thoroughly, all ensure that you have a clean base for your thermal hair styling - or basically, any type of hair styling.

Many of us have asked ourselves: is showering with cold water good for your hair? Should I avoid washing my hair with hot water? Does cold water damage hair? In this article, we will answer some of these questions - and a lot more.

So, let’s go:

Is cold water good for your hair?

Yes, cold water is good for your hair because it can preserve the natural oils produced by the scalp. Cold water flattens and seals the hair cuticles, which results in smoother hair strands, less frizz, and a shinier looking appearance.

In addition, it also stimulates blood circulation to the scalp, which may promote hair growth and overall scalp health.

Why is cold water good for your hair?

Each strand of hair is covered by a layer of cuticles, which resemble overlapping scales. When the cuticles lie flat and smooth, the hair appears shinier and feels softer.

Cold water helps to constrict and close the cuticles, making them lie flatter. This smoothness and closure of the cuticles create a reflective surface, enhancing the hair's shine.

The hair cuticles also play an essential role in retaining moisture within the hair shaft - when they are closed, they form a protective barrier, reducing moisture loss from the hair. Cold water helps to seal the cuticles tightly, preventing the escape of natural oils and moisture produced by the scalp.

This helps to keep the hair hydrated and reduces the risk of dryness, which can lead to brittleness, breakage, and split ends.

In addition, cold water exposure can also stimulate blood circulation in the scalp, causing the blood vessels to constrict and then dilate again - this alternating process improves blood flow to the scalp, delivering essential nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicles.

Is warm or cold water better when washing hair?

Since both warm and cold water have benefits for your hair, a combination of both would be ideal for promoting overall hair health. Warm water opens up the hair cuticles and allows for deeper cleansing and better removal of dirt and buildup, while cold water closes the cuticles, helps to preserve moisture, and promotes good blood circulation.

So, the best way to get the best of both worlds is to start with lukewarm water when shampooing your hair - this will ensure that all product, dirt and oil build-up is removed from your hair, and your scalp is properly cleansed.

Then, rinse off the shampoo and conditioner with cold water to retain moisture and minimize frizz.

What is the ideal temperature for washing your hair?

Now that we’ve answered the question “is showering with cold water good for your hair?”, it’s important to keep in mind that whatever you do, you should avoid washing your hair with excessively hot water because it can be extremely damaging. It can lead to:

• Loss of moisture and dryness - hot water strips away the natural oils produced by the scalp, which leads to moisture loss from the hair - resulting in brittle, frizzy, rough hair that’s more prone to breakage.
• Irritation of the scalp - excessively hot water can also irritate the scalp, causing discomfort, itching and flaking. It can also exacerbate existing scalp conditions like dandruff or dry scalp.
• Increased oil production - while it's true that warm water can help to remove excess oil from the scalp, excessively high water temperatures may trigger an overproduction of oil as a response to the scalp’s natural oils being stripped away. This may lead to oily scalp and greasy hair that requires more frequent washing.
• Weakened hair structure - excessive heat from hot water can weaken the hair structure, making it more prone to breakage, split ends, and overall damage. Over time, this can lead to decreased hair strength and compromised hair health.

The ideal temperature for washing your hair is lukewarm or slightly warm water, ideally below 110°F (43°C). This way, you will avoid stripping away the moisture of your hair and reduce the risks for breakage and frizz.

What is the ideal routine when washing hair?

So, is showering with cold water good for your hair? The short answer is yes! While different water temperatures may work best for different people depending on their needs and type of hair, washing hair with cold water offers multiple benefits for promoting overall hair health and growth.

However, the temperature of the water is not the only thing you should take into consideration when washing your hair. Let’s take a look at the ideal hair washing routine to ensure that you are enjoying a healthy and shiny mane all day long:

1. Prepare the water

The first step is to prepare the water. Start by adjusting the water temperature to lukewarm or slightly warm - as we just mentioned, washing your hair with excessively hot water can be extremely damaging to the hair and scalp.

Another thing to keep in mind is the hardness of the water. In some locations, you will find that the water is hard, which essentially means that it contains high levels of minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron.

This can disrupt the natural pH balance of the scalp and strip away the natural oils of your hair, which in turn may lead to dryness and frizz, and make the hair more prone to the damage. In these cases, using a water filter or distiller can help to mitigate the effects of hard water when washing your hair.

Once the water is ready, thoroughly wet your hair with it, ensuring that all strands are fully saturated before proceeding with the next step.

2. Shampoo and condition your hair

The next step is to ensure that you have a good shampoo and conditioner, ideally without parabens which may irritate the scalp and disrupt the hormonal balance of the hair.

The NuMe Vegan Tourmaline Hair Care set is a great option if you are looking for a high-quality shampoo, conditioner and hair mask with natural ingredients for optimized hydration.

Made with tourmaline powder, 11 amino acids, hydrolyzed quinoa, parkii butter and argan oil, this powerful trio uses only the best ingredients to coat your scalp in antioxidants and fight free radicals, replenishing dryness with intense moisture.

Proper conditioning is also essential for combating dryness caused by hard water.

Deep conditioning treatments or leave-in conditioners like the NuMe Vegan Tourmaline Hair Mask or NuMe Sleeky in a Bottle can provide added moisture, reduce frizz, and make the hair less prone to breakage and damage.

When washing your hair, make sure to massage the shampoo into your scalp, focusing on the roots in gentle circular motions, gradually working your way down to the lengths of the hair.

Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water, and repeat to ensure that your hair is fully clean of dirt and buildup.

Next, apply an appropriate amount of conditioner, 1 to 3 pumps for the NuMe Vegan Tourmaline Conditioner, considering your hair length and texture.

Focus on applying it to the mid-lengths and ends of your hair, avoiding the scalp. Gently work the product through the hair strands, using your fingers or a wide-toothed comb to distribute it evenly. Leave the conditioner on for 5-10 minutes, depending on the indications of the product.

3. Rinse with cold water

Now that we know that cold water is good for your hair, this is exactly what the next step is in the ideal hair washing routine - rinsing with cold water.

As a finishing touch, you can opt for a cool water rinse to seal in moisture, minimize frizz, enhance shine, and provide proper hydration to the hair. Adjust the temperature to cool, but not cold water, and rinse your hair while focusing on the scalp and the hair strands.

4. Dry your hair

You are now ready for the last step - drying your hair! You can either leave it to air dry without doing anything in particular, or you can gently squeeze out the excess water from your hair using a soft towel.

Avoid rubbing vigorously, as this can cause friction and potential damage to the hair. Instead, use a blotting or patting motion to remove moisture.

You can also use the NuMe Signature Hair Dryer to dry your hair fast and easily without damage. This heat styling tool uses a proprietary combination of materials, heating elements and internal components to provide a consistent distribution of heat while sealing in moisture.

5. Post-wash hair care

After towel drying, you can apply any additional hair care products, such as leave-in conditioners, serums, or styling products, depending on your hair needs and preferences.

If you are going to proceed to heat styling, don’t forget your thermal heat protectant to ensure that you will be ironing or curling your hair without damage.

Conclusion: Is cold water good for your hair?

In conclusion, the answer is yes - showering with cold water is good for your hair, as it helps to close the cuticles, promotes shine, and seals in the moisture of the hair, all while reducing frizz and supporting overall scalp health.

To ensure an optimal hair washing routine, start with lukewarm water to open the cuticles and thoroughly clean all the dirt and product buildup, and then rinse with cold water to close the cuticles and thus retain moisture.

Additionally, using suitable hair products, eating foods that are good for hair, and practicing proper hair care techniques are also crucial for maintaining healthy hair regardless of the water temperature you choose.