Pros and cons of using hot water vs. cold water to wash your hair.
Cold Water
PRO: Seals the Moisture in Your Hair
Just the opposite of hot water, cold water closes the pores and prevents dirt 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. Whereas hot water can remove the moisture from your hair, cold water retains the moisture and the natural sebum that’s so beneficial. 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.
This entry was posted on Friday, May 20th, 2011 at 1:57 am and is filed under Care Methods, Conditioning, Curly Hair (Type 3a), Curly Hair (Type 3b), Curly Kinky Hair (Type 3c), Kinky Hair (Type 4a), Kinky Hair (Type 4b), Kinky Hair (Type 4c), Straight Hair (Type 1), Wavy Hair (Type 2a), Wavy Hair (Type 2b), Wavy Hair (Type 2c). You can follow any comments to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a comment. Pinging is currently not allowed.
May 21st, 2011 at 11:44 am
I definitely agree with how they tell you to wash your hair — hot water to cleanse, cool to rinse out some conditioner. I have tried the cold water rinse a couple of times, and it really does work! What a cheap way to add some shine and bounce to my hair!
May 22nd, 2011 at 3:11 pm
Thanks for the article!! I usually wash with hot water, but i always rinse out my condition with cold water. If it strips away my natural oils this article will make me more aware of the importance of adding oils to my hair to prevent damage in future
May 24th, 2011 at 6:50 am
Great article. I figured this out back in the day when my hair was shall we not say it “P”. lol I came upon this trick to the trade in highschool after just stumbling into it. I love how the warm water helps clean my head I enjoy the warm but not to warm. Then blast cold water to remove the conditioner is great I love the shine I see in my hair. So in conclusion this is yes worth it all the way. You can as my minicurlydoc. haha
May 31st, 2011 at 6:06 pm
I wash with warm water and rinse upside-down with cold. Boy do I notice a difference in sheen when I rinse with cold! I have very fine hair and the cold water does not flatten my hair nor create less curl.
May 31st, 2011 at 7:57 pm
Great article Susonnah Gonzalez, since I read this I have tried the cold water rinse and have noticed a big difference in less frizz and more shine. Very helpful article.