12/19/2024

How Hot Showers Affect Your Skin and Hair

Here’s what the research says

Q: I love taking hot showers, but I’ve heard they can damage your skin and hair. Is that true?

It’s no secret that a hot shower can be relaxing: It can soothe sore muscles and joints, improve your mood, and help you sleep better.

"There are benefits to warmer showers or baths, so I don’t want to discount that," said Dr. Victoria Barbosa, an associate professor of dermatology at the University of Chicago. But, she added, "none of those benefits are for your skin." The research on how hot water affects our skin and hair is thin, dermatologists said, but most experts agree that scorching showers may strip away oils and moisture-retaining substances.

Please select this link to read the complete article from The New York Times.