WE’VE all heard the advice: "Rinse your hair with cold water for more shine."
Many hair enthusiasts claim that cold water makes hair shinier, stronger, and more voluminous, whereas hot water can damage it.
Should we all be ditching warm showers in favour of icy rinses, or is it just another beauty myth?
Verdict:
FALSE
The belief that rinsing hair with cold water enhances its shine is widespread, but scientific evidence does not support this claim.
The theory suggests that cold water "closes" or flattens the hair cuticle, leading to smoother and shinier hair.
However, research indicates that water temperature has minimal impact on the hair's cuticle and overall appearance.
A study conducted by chemists at TRI Princeton examined the effects of rinsing hair with water at different temperatures—specifically, water above 37°C (98°F) and below 18°C (65°F).
The findings revealed that cold water rinses did not enhance hair shine. In fact, warm water was found to make hair appear glossier.
The researchers suggested that cold water might not effectively remove residue from hair strands, potentially leading to a duller appearance.
Another study stated that once hair grows past the scalp, it is technically dead tissue and does not respond to temperature changes in the way living tissue does.
Therefore, rinsing with cold water has the same effect as rinsing with warm water.
Additionally, a study also found that cold water could constrict blood capillaries in the scalp, which might theoretically be harmful to hair growth.
While the idea of a cold water rinse improving hair shine is popular, the real results of achieving shinier hair is focusing on proper hair care routines and products.
References:
1. https://intothegloss.com/2015/
2. https://www.allure.com/story/
