What Is the Best Water Temperature for Washing Hair?

Men aren’t the only ones who experience thinning hair as they get older. It’s estimated that approximately 30 million women in the United States are also dealing with the condition.

There are several reasons why women experience thinning of the hair, including birth control, hormones, pregnancy, and menopause. Washing hair improperly is another factor to consider.

Your hair needs consistent washing to keep it clean and healthy, but the way you’re doing it plays a big role in how it looks and feels. That includes the water temperature and the products that you use.

Thinning hair has an impact on a woman’s self-esteem and can interfere with her overall quality of life. That’s why taking action now is important, before the situation gets worse.

Ready to add something new to your hair care routine? Keep reading to find out how you can tweak your shower to boost your hair’s volume.

The Effect of Hot Water When Washing Hair

If you’re like most women, you are used to taking hot showers. Not only because they feel good, but because you know that a higher water temperature does a better job of cleaning your body and hair.

Hotter water indeed helps remove dirt, grime, and products from your hair. But it’s also true that the water doesn’t need to be scalding hot to effectively clean your hair.

Hot water also strips the moisture out of your strands. That leaves them looking dry and frizzy. It can also dehydrate your scalp, interfering with healthy new hair growth.

Some research also indicates that washing your hair in hot water damages the hair follicles. That contributes to thinning of the hair, but may also cause hair to grey prematurely.

The Effect of Cold Water When Washing Hair

If the thought of washing your hair in cold water doesn’t sound very appealing, you’re not alone. In fact, most women prefer the hottest water their bodies can handle when they take a shower.

However, cold water has some significant benefits that may help you change your mind. The cooler temperature helps preserve your hair’s natural oils. This keeps each strand healthy and hydrated.

In addition, colder water closes your hair’s cuticles. This helps enhance shine and keeps hair smooth, rather than frizzy. It also closes the pores on your scalp, helping keep them clear of dirt, debris, and built-up products.

A clean scalp translates to cleaner hair. That’s why it’s just as important to take good care of your scalp as well as your strands.

It’s important to keep in mind that water that is too cold can interfere with volume. That’s because it closes the cuticle, which inhibits hair growth.

For that reason, it’s best to get the ideal water temperature – not too hot, but not too cold.

What’s the Best Temperature?

Now you know that the water temperature plays a big role in your hair washing routine. It shouldn’t be scalding hot, but turning it down too far isn’t healthy either.

So, what’s the ideal temperature for getting your hair clean and promoting new growth? Experts recommend washing your hair in water that is 100 degrees. This is just slightly higher than normal body temperature.

It’s not so cold that it’s ruining hair growth, but not so hot that it’s stripping the natural oils out of your hair. This temperature is the ideal balance between hot and cold and contributes to healthy hair.

You might also try washing your hair with warmer water, but rinsing with cooler water. Again, don’t make it too hot or too cold. But using both temperatures allows you to reap the benefits of each.

Adding Products to Your Routine

While the water temperature is a big factor in counteracting thinning hair, the products you use also play a role. That includes shampoo and conditioner, but might also include styling products that you use outside the shower.

If you’re dealing with thinning hair, a dermatologist can help you determine the cause and recommend products that contain ingredients to treat the problem. Your hairdresser may also be able to help.

In addition to the products you wash your hair with, look for styling sprays or serums that build volume and fight thinning hair. Be sure you follow the directions for use carefully.

Some products aren’t meant to be used every day. Read the label to ensure that you’re getting the most out of the product.

It’s also important to consider your hair type. For example, if you have curly hair, you’ll want to choose products formulated to care for curls. If you color your hair, you’ll need items that are designed to preserve the color.

Avoid using products that contain a lot of synthetic chemicals because they can further damage hair.

Other Hair Care Tips

Your hair isn’t the same as anyone else’s, which means your hair care routine will likely look different. It’s a good idea to figure out what works best for your strands so you can care for them properly.

Most women don’t need to wash their hair every night unless it gets oily and greasy. Overwashing your hair sucks the moisture from your strands, leading to dry, brittle hair.

Assess the amount of oil that your scalp and hair produce. Chances are that you can wash every two or three days to boost your hair’s health and preserve its volume.

Some experts suggest using acidic pH water for your hair. Because this won’t come out of the tap, you may want to consider using an ionizer to produce the ideal water for your hair.

The Takeaway

Washing hair properly is one of the best ways to make sure it always looks and feels its best. If you’re dealing with thinning, it’s time to be more aware of your shower habits.

Adjusting the temperature is a simple way to boost shine, enhance growth, and keep each strand lush and healthy. Checking your products is also important.

Try any of our hair care products and get ready to have the hair you’ve always dreamed of having. We’re here to help.