For many, a hot shower is the highlight of the day, a moment of relaxation and escape. There’s something comforting about letting steaming water cascade over you, creating a temporary sanctuary from the outside world.
However, what if your daily ritual was actually doing more harm than good? According to dermatologist Dr. Divya Shokeen, that may be the case.
Dr. Shokeen, founder of the Ocean Skin & Vein Institute in Manhattan Beach, California, recently shared her insights on Huffington Post’s Am I Doing It Wrong? podcast. She explained why you might want to rethink those piping hot showers.
“Should you be taking a hot shower? No. Ideally, you should be taking a cold one,” Dr. Shokeen stated.
After diving into research from PubMed, a U.S. National Library of Medicine database, she found compelling evidence in favor of cold showers. “A cold shower not only invigorates you more, but it also promotes hair growth, supports skin rejuvenation, and improves blood vessel dilation, it’s amazing for you,” she explained.
While hot water can strip away the skin’s natural protective oils, along with essential fats and proteins, cold water offers several surprising benefits for your body.
Cold showers have been linked to improved blood circulation, a stronger immune system, and even faster post-workout recovery, making them a great option for fitness enthusiasts.
On the other hand, frequent exposure to hot water can lead to skin irritation, exacerbate eczema, and leave your skin feeling dry and uncomfortable. So, if you love steaming showers, you might want to reconsider turning down the temperature.
Dr. Shokeen advised that if you can’t handle an ice-cold shower, simply lowering the temperature to warm can still be beneficial. However, she suggests turning the water cold for the last 30 seconds before stepping out.
“If you can tolerate it, [during] the last 30 seconds, make it cold,” she recommended.
So, does this mean lukewarm showers are the new norm? And should we really be rinsing off with freezing water? While that may take some getting used to, the next question is, how long should we be in the shower?
“Ideally five to ten minutes,” Dr. Shokeen explained. “Anything longer can disrupt the skin’s protective barrier and do more harm than good.”
