Mythbusters: Is Cold Water Good For Hair?

It’s not uncommon to hear suggestions saying that you should use cold water and not hot water to wash your hair. In fact, we do it all the time here at ZALA. But the question is, why is that? Why should we use cold water instead of hot water?

In today's ZALA Mythbusters, we’ll explore the answer to the question: is cold water good for hair?

The myth: cold water is good for hair

According to salon stylists and hair blogs–including the one you’re reading right now–using cold water is better for your hair because of all its positive effects on your strands.

In comparison, lukewarm water isn’t harmful but you don’t get to reap the benefits of cold water. Meanwhile, hot water can negatively affect your hair, so it should be avoided at all times.

How does hot water harm my hair?

How exactly does hot water harm your hair? To answer this question, you must first understand the anatomy of each hair strand. Every single hair shaft has what we call a cuticle. This cuticle can open and close depending on the temperature of your water in the shower. 

Hot water opens these cuticles, while cold water closes them. If you use hot water, your cuticles will be left open, which means the moisture from your conditioner and other hair products won’t be locked in. This effectively dries your hair out and can even cause frizziness.

Cold water effects on hair

Cold water has better effects on hair than regular lukewarm water.

• Cleans thoroughly. Cold water can rid your hair of all excess buildup and oil without drying out your strands.
• Seals in moisture. Since cold water can close your cuticles, it can help seal in moisture from all your hair products, especially your conditioner.
• Prevents oily hair. Cold water can also close the pores on your scalp, which helps control sebum.
• Makes hair shinier and smoother. Closed cuticles look smoother than open cuticles, which means your hair will look shinier and smoother.

Is cold water good for hair?

Simply put, yes, cold water has lots of benefits for your hair. One helpful trick is to use warm water at the start of your bath, and then only use cold water to rinse your hair after applying the conditioner. Not only does it help you lock extra moisture in, it also helps you not feel too cold during your bath!

For more hair articles, don’t forget to check out our ZALA blog!