Does Washing Your Face with Hot Water Cause Premature Skin Aging? A Dermatologist's View
On social media, there is a lot of advice about washing the face with cold water. Some believe hot water damages the skin and causes wrinkles and premature aging. But is this claim scientifically accurate? Should we wash our faces only with cold water to have younger-looking skin?
In social networks, there are many recommendations about washing the face with cold water. Some believe that hot water damages the skin and causes wrinkles and premature aging. But is this claim scientifically correct? Should we wash our face only with cold water to have younger skin?
According to selection and quoted by Enly My Health; The dermatologist has answered this question and explained what effect the water temperature has on skin health when washing the face.
Does washing your face with hot water cause skin aging?
According to Dr. Pasi, a warm shower, especially on cold days, can be relaxing; But frequent use of very hot water to wash the face may cause dryness and irritation of the skin.
Of course, hot water won't cause wrinkles overnight, but its continuous use can damage the skin's protective barrier and make it more difficult to maintain its natural moisture.
The outer layer of the skin contains natural fats that protect the skin and prevent excessive moisture loss. Very hot water can strip away some of these protective oils and make the skin dry, rough and sensitive.
For this reason, dermatologists usually recommend using lukewarm water instead of hot water; Especially for people with dry or sensitive skin.
Does hot water directly cause wrinkles?
The short answer is: No, hot water alone is not one of the main causes of premature skin aging.
Skin aging is influenced by various factors, including aging, genetics, and long-term exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays.
However, frequent use of very hot water can cause dryness and disrupt the function of the protective barrier by eliminating the skin's natural oils.
Dry and dehydrated skin may appear rougher and fine lines may be more visible. So, while hot water isn't directly responsible for wrinkling, the resulting dryness can accentuate the appearance of existing lines.
According to this expert, the main concern about hot water is its effect on moisture and the health of the skin's defense barrier; Not that it directly causes premature aging.
What is the best water temperature for washing the face?
You don't need to measure the water temperature with a thermometer to wash your face. It is enough to use lukewarm water or water that you can easily tolerate its heat.
A temperature of around 38°C can be a good benchmark for mildly hot water, but more important than the exact number is that the water is not too hot.
If your skin feels red, tight, dry, or uncomfortable after washing your face, the water may be too hot.
Washing time and how to deal with the skin is also important. Long showers with hot water and intense face rubbing can aggravate skin dryness and irritation.
Recommended for better skin care:
* Wash your face with lukewarm water and a mild detergent. * Avoid rubbing the skin vigorously when washing. * After washing the face, dry the skin with a soft towel. * When the skin is still slightly moist, use a suitable moisturizer. * Avoid long showers and very hot water.
Is it better to wash the face with cold water?
Contrary to popular belief in social networks, you don't need to wash your face with cold water to have healthy and youthful skin.
Some claim that cold water closes skin pores or prevents aging; But the pores of the skin do not open and close like doors and windows, which are closed directly by changing the temperature of the water.
Cold water may make you feel refreshed and temporarily reduce puffiness, but there is not enough evidence to show that washing your face with cold water alone has a significant antiaging effect.
Therefore, you don't have to force yourself to wash your face with very cold water to take care of your skin. Warm water is a good choice for daily skin cleansing.
Hot water by itself is not the main cause of wrinkles, but its frequent use can reduce the skin's protective oils, strip it of moisture, and cause dryness and irritation. This condition may accentuate the fine lines of the skin.
For daily face washing, lukewarm water, mild detergent and using moisturizer are the best simple choices.
If your goal is to prevent premature skin aging, regular use of sunscreen is much more important than choosing cold or hot water to wash your face. Protecting the skin from the sun's ultraviolet rays is one of the most important measures to reduce skin damage and prevent premature wrinkles.