Why You Should Avoid Hot Water When Shampooing
Hot water strips natural oils from your scalp, lifts the hair cuticle causing frizz and damage, and makes color-treated hair fade faster. Switching to lukewarm water keeps your hair hydrated, protects color, and maintains scalp health. A cool rinse at the end seals the cuticle for extra shine.
I'm Bri, a stylist at The Warehouse Salon in Chatham, NJ. When clients come in complaining about dry hair, frizz, or color that fades too fast, one of the first questions I ask is about their shower routine. The answer is almost always the same: hot water.
Can Water Temperature Really Affect Your Hair That Much?
A client named Amber came in last winter frustrated with her hair. She'd been getting balayage for about a year, and lately, her color was fading within two weeks. Her ends were dry and frizzy no matter what products she used.
"Bri, I don't understand," she said. "I'm using the shampoo you recommended. I'm using leave-in conditioner. I'm doing everything right, but my hair looks terrible and my color won't last."
"How hot is your shower?" I asked.
She paused. "Hot. Really hot. I like it steaming. Why?"
"That's your problem."
She looked skeptical. "My shower temperature is ruining my hair?"
"Hot water opens your hair cuticle. When the cuticle is open, color escapes and moisture escapes. You're basically undoing your color every time you shower. And you're stripping the natural oils from your scalp, which is why your ends are so dry."
"But I've always taken hot showers. This has never been a problem before."
"Before you had color-treated hair. And before your hair went through years of processing. The hotter the water, the more damage it does, and that damage accumulates over time."
I told her to switch to lukewarm water for washing and finish with a cool rinse. She didn't love the idea, but she agreed to try it.
Three weeks later, she texted me. "Bri. My color still looks fresh. It's been three weeks and I don't see any brassiness. Is this really from the water temperature?"
"Yes. Your cuticle is staying closed, so the color stays in."
A month later: "My hair feels so much softer. I didn't realize how dry it was until it wasn't dry anymore. I'm actually using less conditioner now."
Two months later: "I've converted. Lukewarm showers forever. My hair has never looked this good between appointments. I can't believe something so simple made this much difference."
That's why I talk about water temperature with almost every client.
Here's what's actually happening:
Stripping Away Natural Oils
Your scalp produces natural oils called sebum that keep your hair hydrated and protected. Hot water dissolves and strips these oils away, leaving your scalp dry and your hair brittle.
When your scalp gets stripped of oil, it often overcompensates by producing more oil. This is why some people have an oily scalp but dry ends - they're washing with water that's too hot, stripping the scalp, and triggering excess oil production while the ends stay parched.
Lukewarm water cleans your hair without stripping it. You get rid of dirt and product buildup while keeping the natural oils that protect your strands.
Damaging the Hair Cuticle
Your hair cuticle is the outer layer of each strand, made up of overlapping cells that lay flat when healthy. Think of it like shingles on a roof. When the cuticle lays flat, your hair looks smooth and shiny. When it's lifted, your hair looks frizzy and dull.
Hot water lifts the cuticle. The longer your hair is exposed to hot water, the more the cuticle opens up. This makes your hair more vulnerable to damage from everything else - pollution, UV rays, heat styling, even brushing.
Lukewarm water keeps the cuticle closer to flat. A cool rinse at the end seals it even more, which is why stylists recommend finishing with cold water. It's not comfortable, but it works.
Fading Color-Treated Hair
This is the biggest issue for anyone with color. When hot water opens the cuticle, color molecules escape. Every hot shower is washing some of your color down the drain.
Amber's balayage was fading in two weeks because she was essentially rinsing the color out every morning. Once she switched to lukewarm water, her color lasted more than twice as long. Same color formula, same products, different water temperature.
If you're spending money on professional color, protecting it with lukewarm water is one of the easiest things you can do. It costs nothing and makes a real difference.
Scalp Health
A healthy scalp is the foundation of healthy hair. Hot water can irritate your scalp, cause dryness, and disrupt the balance of your scalp's microbiome. This can lead to dandruff, itchiness, and even conditions like seborrheic dermatitis.
Lukewarm water cleans your scalp effectively without causing irritation. It removes dirt, excess oil, and product buildup while keeping your scalp's natural balance intact. If you've been dealing with scalp issues, your shower temperature might be part of the problem.
Enhanced Moisture Retention
When your cuticle stays flat and your natural oils stay intact, your hair retains moisture better. This means less dryness, less frizz, and easier styling.
Amber noticed she was using less conditioner after switching to lukewarm water. Her hair was holding onto moisture on its own instead of constantly needing to be replenished. That's what happens when you stop stripping your hair every day.
The Environmental Bonus
Using less hot water also saves energy. It's not the main reason to make the switch, but if you care about your environmental impact, cooler showers use less energy to heat the water. Small change, small benefit, but it adds up.
How to Wash Your Hair the Right Way
- Start with lukewarm water to wet your hair and rinse out any initial dirt. The water should feel comfortable, not hot. If it's steaming, it's too hot.
- Apply your shampoo and work it into your scalp. Focus on the scalp, not the ends. The shampoo will clean the lengths as it rinses out. Use a sulfate-free shampoo if you have color-treated or dry hair.
- Rinse with lukewarm water until all the shampoo is out. Apply conditioner to the mid-lengths and ends, avoiding the scalp. Let it sit for a minute or two.
- Finish with a cool or cold rinse. This seals the cuticle, adds shine, and locks in the conditioner's benefits. It doesn't have to be ice cold - just noticeably cooler than the rest of your shower.
Your Water Temperature Questions Answered
How do I know if my water is too hot?
If it's steaming or if your skin turns red, it's too hot for your hair. Lukewarm should feel comfortable, not hot. You can also test it on the inside of your wrist - it should feel neutral, not warm.
Do I have to take cold showers now?
No. The main wash can be lukewarm - just not hot. The cold rinse at the end is optional but helpful. Even just 30 seconds of cool water at the end makes a difference for shine and frizz.
Will this really help my color last longer?
Yes. Amber's color went from lasting two weeks to lasting over a month just from changing her water temperature. Hot water opens the cuticle and lets color escape. Cooler water keeps it in.
What if I have an oily scalp?
Hot water can actually make oily scalps worse. When you strip the oil, your scalp overproduces to compensate. Lukewarm water cleans without triggering that response. You might find your scalp balances out over time.
Can I still enjoy a hot shower?
You can take a hot shower for your body - just keep the hot water off your hair. Clip your hair up or angle your head away from the water during the hot parts. When it's time to wash your hair, turn the temperature down.
Ready to Make the Switch?
This is one of the easiest changes you can make for healthier hair and longer-lasting color. It doesn't cost anything. It doesn't take extra time. You just turn the temperature down.
If you're dealing with dry hair, frizz, or color that won't last, try lukewarm water for a few weeks and see what happens. Most clients notice a difference within the first month.
Have questions about your hair care routine? Come see me at The Warehouse Salon in Chatham. We're at 127 Main Street, Chatham, NJ. Call us at 973-507-8227, or book your next appointment online. I'm happy to look at what's going on with your hair and give you recommendations that actually fit your routine.
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About the Author
Brianna Thompson
Brianna is a highly skilled and licensed cosmetologist, stylist, and color expert at Studio 360 Salon in Chatham, NJ. She possesses a thorough understanding of hair products and the science behind hair and hairstyling.
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