Sometimes we just have to take things back to the basics. I follow Curly Nikki on Twitter, and noticed an interesting article she posted this morning about the pros and cons of washing your natural hair in both hot and cold water. This intrigued me because I’m the girl who showers in nearly scolding hot temperatures because I love the tinge it leaves behind on my skin (you can relate right?). Often times I wash my hair in the same temperature, so naturally I was curious to read this article on the benefits and setbacks of doing so.
Here’s what I discovered while reading:
Hot Water
PROS: Rinses Away Dirt and Oil
-Hot water and steam naturally open the pores, which is great for exfoliating and removing the oil from your skin. Warm water allows the dirt and hair product that has accumulated on your scalp to escape the pores and be rinsed away.
CON: May Result in Overly Porous Hair
-Hot water opens up the pores and the cuticle of your hair shaft. That being said, rinsing your hair with hot water too often can leave the hair overly porous, causing it to be dry and brittle.
-Just as hot water helps to rinse away oil and dirt, it also strips your hair of its natural oils.
CON: Causes Frizz
-Heat causes frizzy hair, and hot water is no exception. No matter what your hair type, the hair needs moisture to stay frizz free. Because hot water can strip the hair of natural oils, moisture escapes the hair shaft and results in frizz. If your hair is especially prone to frizz, you might want to turn off the hot water.
Cold Water
PRO: Seals The Moisture In Your Hair
-Opposite of hot water, cold water closes the pores and prevents from entering and accumulating on the scalp. Not only does it close the pores, it also closes the hair cuticle, sealing in moisture from the conditioner that you applied to your hair.
-Don’t forget, more moisture means less frizz! Cold water retains your hair’s moisture, leaving your hair less prone to frizz.
PRO: Increases Shine
-Sometimes stylists like to finish blow drying with a blast of cold air because it leaves the hair shiny. The same concept can be applied to a cold water rinse. Cold water is known to smooth the hair by closing the scales of your hair cuticle, which in turn prevents frizz and adds luster to your locks.
CON: Flattens Hair
-Because cold water leaves the hair smooth, it can also flatten your hair if you have a naturally thin texture. If your hair lacks in volume, or if you live in a particularly arid environment, rinsing your hair with cold water might result in flat hair and curls with no bounce.
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So what’s the verdict? Hot or cold?
Curly Nikki says to use both. She says, “cleanse, condition, and detangle your hair with WARM water, not hot. You don’t want to burn your skin and scalp.” She also advises, “when you’re ready to rinse out the conditioner, turn the dial to COOL and run it over your hair for a final rinse.”
These are great informative tips from Curly Nikki! To check out the entire article, visit her site here.