Wash Hair with Cold Water

Washing hair — Photo: B-D-S Piotr Marcinski/Shutterstock

Q: Is it better to wash your hair with cold water? I know that rinsing your hair with cold water helps to make it shinier, but would shampooing with cold water make my hair look even shinier and healthier?

A: Actually, depending on the state of your hair and scalp (whether or not you have oily hair or scalp) using cold water to shampoo may inhibit the effectiveness of your cleansing process, since it can make the oils become thicker and harder to remove. (This could be countered by using a clarifying shampoo in your routine rotation.)

Also, the use of warm water shampooing with a cold water rinse, has the effect of helping to remove extra oils and soils and then closing the pores of the scalp helping slow natural sebum release and tightening the cuticles to hold in the moisture and conditioning agents imparted by the products you used.

However, I do know of many individuals who take entirely cold showers and swear by it for various reasons. Certainly in hot summer months, the benefits in comfort levels alone can be worthwhile. So, while I cannot endorse a cold water shampoo as a way to increase the hair's shine, I can't say that it would be a real detriment in any way.

©Hairfinder.com

See also:

What is the best water to wash your hair with: cold, warm or as hot as possible?

How does shampoo clean the hair?

For how long should I keep shampoo on my hair before washing it out?

How to wash your hair and use the right amount of shampoo