FOR MANY BUSY people, taking a long hot shower (the usual thing in temperate countries even during summer) isn’t just about getting clean, it’s the only time of the day when no one can reach them to ask about that overdue work assignment or what’s for dinner or their car’s extended warranty.
But could their shower time be wreaking havoc on their bodies? Should you be taking a hot shower? I think that our third son in the States got bald rather quickly because he was taking a lot of hot showers. Ideally, he should have been taking a cold one.
Studies show that a cold shower not only invigorates you more, it helps with hair follicles, it helps with hair growth, it helps with skin rejuvenation, with blood vessel dilation. Cold water may also aid in workout recovery, boosting immune system responses, improving circulation and possibly even enhancing mental health.
Hot water, on the other hand, can strip skin of its natural protective oils, fats and proteins, which can cause irritation, dryness and worsen eczema symptoms.
Since most of us can’t bear the thought of an icy shower, experts recommend that we use warm water — not hot — and keep it short.
Ideally [a shower should last] five minutes — five to 10 minutes. Anything longer disrupts the mantle of your skin, which can cause more harm than good. Then, just before we’ve finished showering, experts recommend turning down the water temperature. If you can tolerate it, [during] the last 30 seconds, make it cold.
Following this chilly “30-second hack” can give us some of the benefits of cold water exposure without forcing us to suffer through an entirely frigid shower. However, some individuals with certain medical conditions, like heart issues, should never take a cold shower of any length, and it’s always a good idea to consult a medical professional before you make any health-related change to your daily routine.
Doctors also noted that the cleansing tools we use in the shower, like loofahs and sponges, can damage our skin. 100% — [only use your hands to clean]. There’s no negotiation on that in terms of the medical studies, because anything that you’re doing with loofahs and sponges, again, it’s all about disruption of the mantle – you actually disrupt the top layer, which allows for more dehydration, and now you’re going to have to use more lotion to minimize that.
It is also suggested to avoid facing the showerhead since the face is one part of your body you can probably stop washing while showering. By Manny Palomar, PhD (EV Mail March 3-9, 2025 issue)
