Do you enjoy an extremely hot shower? If so, you may be impacting your skin health in several ways without realising, according to a doctor.
Dr Max Maddahali shared his insight in response to a TikTok video in which a man explained that he can’t take showers with his wife due to the contrasting temperatures in which they like to wash. The man pointed out that his spouse likes the water “just below boiling,” which prompted Max to caution: “If you’re taking excessively too hot showers, this is for you.”
He continued: “There are some natural oils on your skin that are keeping your skin moist, but hot water can completely wash them off so dryness can happen.”
Dr Maddahali also explained that too hot water can dilate your blood vessels under your skin, which in turn leads to redness and irritation. “Also, hot water can cause hair damage,” the doctor said. “Not to mention if you’re taking hot showers for too long, it can cause your blood pressure to drop and cause you to faint.”
He closed his video: “Finally, having a shower that is too hot can compromise your immune system.” Whilst some dismisssed the advice in response, one TikTok user recalled: “My fiancé use to take boiling showers and would always faint.”
A second person admitted: “Yeah I definitely passed out couple times.” A third added: “I turn it slightly down for washing my hair. But I won’t stop getting it hot for the rest of the body.”
A fourth TikTok user detailed their approach: “I use hot or warm water to open up the pores and then at the very end I use the coldest water possible to close the pores.” Whilst a fifth noted: “The blood pressure issue and fainting happens to me a lot. I always have to take care to keep the water temp right.”
Backing up Dr Maddahali’s tips, experts at Mira Showers advise that the ideal shower temperature for your skin is lukewarm or cooler. The company also warns online: “Hot water strips your skin of natural oils, which can lead to dry and itchy skin, so it’s best to stick to an average shower temperature of between 37°C and 38°C.”
Mira Showers continues: “If you have sensitive skin, then the spray settings on your shower, as well as the temperature, can also affect your showering experience. As with your skin, hot water can strip your hair of natural oils, which can dry it out. If you colour your hair, hot water can cause the colour to fade more quickly than it would if washed at lower temperatures.
“Taking a long shower in water that is too hot can raise your body temperature and can cause dizziness and even heat stroke. Similarly, taking a long cold shower can also decrease your body temperature, which can make you feel dizzy and decrease your breathing rate. It’s important to remain aware of how you’re feeling while in the shower, and stick to a moderate temperature as much as possible.”