Holidaygoers are being warned that jumping straight into a hot shower after their flight could actually do more harm than good. Although taking a shower as soon as you’ve arrived at your accommodation may seem like a good idea, the hot water can actually worsen post-flight swelling in the ankles and feet, dry out skin and even affect blood circulation.
Dry cabin air, dehydration, and long periods of sitting while flying mean that your body will already be under quite a lot of stress when you land. Taking a hot shower will just add extra strain, especially to your skin and circulation. Instead, travellers should opt for a cool or lukewarm shower, allowing them to feel fresh while also tackling dry skin and poor blood circulation.
Andy Ellis, shower specialist at Vidalux.co.uk, said: “A lot of us love taking a shower after a flight to help freshen up when we get back home, but those taking a hot shower could be doing more harm than good to their bodies.
“After a flight our skin is already pretty dry and dehydrated from the low humidity in the plane. Taking a hot shower can worsen this feeling as the hot water will strip the body of its natural oils.”
He continued: “Hot water also causes our blood vessels to dilate which can worsen existing swelling and blood circulation issues after flying.
“This doesn’t mean you can’t take a shower though. As long as you stick to a cool or lukewarm shower post-flight then you’ll be absolutely fine.”
Increased swelling
Andy highlights that swelling in the ankles and feet is common after flying. This problem can be exacerbated by hot water, which can dilate the blood vessels further. However, a cold or lukewarm shower can actually help ease this swelling.
Dry skin
Planes typically have an extremely dry atmosphere, which can often leave passengers feeling dehydrated. The low humidity levels cause the air to pull moisture from their skin, lips, and eyes.
Jumping into a hot shower can worsen this dryness, as the hot water strips natural oils from the skin.
Blood circulation and pressure
Sitting for long periods of time, which is inevitable when flying, can lead to poor circulation, as can the pressure changes present during a flight. Hot showers dilate blood vessels, so blood pressure can drop even further if you go straight from the plane to the shower.
Jet lag
Hot showers can also interfere with your sleep schedule, particularly if you are already experiencing jet lag.
The hot water raises your body’s core temperature, which can make you feel more awake. Taking a hot shower after an evening flight can disrupt your body’s natural cooling process, which signals it’s time to sleep.