After a long day, there is nothing more indulging and soothing than a hot shower. It’s a simple pleasure in life after a chilly day. A good shower seems to make everything feel ok! But how hot is too hot?
The hotter the better the shower, right? We turn up the heat to scalding hot, and if our skin isn’t bright red after a hot shower, was it even a hot shower!? Hot showers are a common indulgence for many people. Although it is a gratifying feeling, you might be causing more harm than good to your skin’s health…first, let’s look at the benefits.
Benefits of taking a scalding hot shower
A hot shower boasts many benefits that can help to relax your muscles and relieve tension. This is because the heat from the water increases blood flow and reduces inflammation. If you have sore muscles or are feeling tense, taking a hot shower can be a great way to alleviate these symptoms.
Hot showers can also be good for your skin. Heat and a bit of steam can help to open up your pores, which can help to cleanse your skin and remove any dirt or toxins. Additionally, the heat can help to stimulate the production of collagen, which can help to keep your skin looking youthful and radiant.
The steam from hot showers can help with sinuses and tight chest issues, too.
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Is it time to reduce the temperature?
The main concern of a scalding hot shower, is the fact that it could damage your skin. If you take hot showers frequently, the heat can strip the skin of ‘sebum’ – the healthy fats and oils necessary for skin health. After too many hot showers, your skin could suffer damage.
This can be especially problematic for people who already have dry or sensitive skin.
Pro Tip: Do not wash your face in the shower – rather do so afterwards to avoid overly hot temperatures.
Hot showers can also be problematic for people with certain health conditions. For example, if you have high blood pressure. Extreme heat also causes a drop in blood pressure, which can lead to lightheadedness. Fainting in the shower? Talk about dangerous.
Additionally, hot showers can be problematic for people with certain skin conditions, such as eczema, as the heat can exacerbate symptoms.
Hot water can help open up your pores but too much heat on the skin can also cause more inflammation. The skin is the largest organ and, like any other organ – it is sensitive to heat and responds to it with inflammation if it becomes over-exposed. It will result in redness, itching or even peeling – very similar to a sunburn.
And, what about your hair? Although there is no proof that cold water will make your hair shinier, it’s surely better that blasting scalding hot water on your head. It can even cause a delay in hair growth.
Scalding hot showers can have both benefits and drawbacks. But, is the potential harm to your skin and health worth it?
It’s important to be mindful of how frequently you take hot showers, and to be aware of any potential risks. Ultimately, the best way to determine whether scalding hot showers are good for you is to listen to your body and pay attention to how it responds to the heat.
Don’t overdo it and enjoy a relaxing warm shower.
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