Hot – cold: how does water temperature affect the skin?

With the arrival of autumn cold weather, the desire to lie in a hot bubble bath emerges. It seems that this is the only thing that will save you from fatigue, and cool water in the morning will prepare you for the working day. But do not rush to turn on the tap. It turns out that water temperature affects the condition of the skin. Too hot or cold showers damage the epidermis and cause redness. Together with Alexey Snitko, dermatovenerologist at the Central Epidemiological Research Institute of the Molecular Diagnostic Center CMD Volgodonsk Federal Budgetary Institution Rospotrebnadzor, we understand what temperature is right for your skin and how to avoid unpleasant sensations after a shower.

Alexey Snitko

How does water temperature affect the skin?

When the water temperature changes, reactions occur on the skin and in the body as a whole that change the balance and speed of metabolic processes.

What happens to the skin during a hot shower?

When exposed to hot water, the tone of the vascular wall changes – it relaxes, due to which the diameter of the vessel increases and the flow of oxygen and nutrients increases.

flaws

— Acne appearance. Regular hot showers stimulate the production of sebum (sebum), which increases skin oiliness and leads to acne.

— Exacerbation of psoriasis, eczema, atopic dermatitis. A hot shower activates inflammatory processes, so chronic skin diseases that you did not know about before may worsen.

Advantages

— Make skin cleansing easier. A hot shower expands the ducts of the sebaceous glands, so the skin clears faster. This method is also used in cosmetology – steam is applied to the face before mechanical peeling, thus completing the procedure efficiently and less painfully.

What is the most suitable water temperature for the skin?

36–37 °C water is suitable for daily showers. It is close to our body temperature. At this temperature, appropriate parameters for the functioning of the body are maintained.

One of the best ways to maintain vascular tone, the health of skin glands, nerves and skin is a contrast shower. To harden the body, you need to take it in the morning or evening, avoiding heavy physical activity beforehand.

The optimum temperature of cold water is 15–20 °C for 15–20 seconds, and that of hot water is 40–45 °C for 25–40 seconds. In this case, differences above 30°C should be avoided. The number of temperature change cycles should be from 3 to 6. But, like any other procedure, a contrast shower has a number of contraindications, so before using it, you should consult a specialist.

When should hot and cold showers be taken?

There are situations where a short cold or hot shower will be extremely beneficial. It is mainly used to quickly restore normal body temperature. For example, a 1-2 minute hot shower after a winter walk will help regain strength and prevent lung diseases. If you are overheating under the sun in the summer months, a cool shower for 30-40 seconds will help you.

In general, we can recommend the effect of water at different temperatures on the skin in the treatment of some diseases. In some cases, inflammation must be suppressed, in some cases blood flow must be increased, and in some cases contact with water must be completely limited during treatment.