Having curly hair adds more attraction to your personality. Curly hair is a distinctive and beautiful hair type, varying from loose and wavy to tight and coils. But it comes with new challenges that need more care, including frizz, dryness, and lack of definition. Many factors have a huge impact on curly hair, one factor that can affect the appearance and health of your curls is the water temperature used during washing and rinsing.
You might have heard different opinions and advice on whether to use hot or cold water for your curly hair and how it affects its look and condition. Whether your hair is naturally curly, straightened, relaxed, or styled with a round brush and intense heat, it is all affected by the water in your shower.
Colored, bleached, or highlighted hair is also affected by water conditions. The issue is not a “good or bad” water issue; “good or bad,” but rather understanding how its specific properties affect your hair daily and learning how to best manage hair accordingly. Behold to discover the benefits and drawbacks of hot water for curly hair.
What’s in your Water?
Normally, when you shower, the goal is to cleanse your hair, scalp, and skin. But have you ever thought about how your shower could be depositing common minerals and oxidizers onto your hair? These sneaky compounds latch onto your hair and can cling to your strands, creating a stubborn buildup that worsens common hair challenges over time, these compounds are calcium, copper, iron, lead, magnesium, and chlorine.
The Effect of Hot Water on Curly Hair?
Hot water usually varies from 40 degrees Celsius to 104 F. Water has many benefits when curly-washed from it, but it also has many drawbacks.
Pros:
Hot water can open the cuticles of your hair and the pores on your scalp, can both be opened with hot water, which can make it easier to cleanse and clean the product buildup, oil, and debris. It may also boost blood circulation, and promote hair growth. Additionally, hot water helps relax and soften your hair, making it more manageable and easier to detangle.
Cons:
Hot water opens the cuticles allowing minerals to escape from the scalp and chemicals to get in. The heat from the hot water can disrobe your hair from its lipids and natural oils, leaving it brittle, dry, and frizzy.
The Effects of Cold Water on Curly Hairs
The temperature of cold water ranges from 15 degrees Celcius or 59 F. It closes the open cuticles and your scalp pores which can lock in the moisture and nutrients from your conditioner and other products. Clod showers reduce frizziness and add shine and luster. This helps to enhance and preserve the curly pattern and makes curls bouncy and defined.
The Temperature of Water
The temperature of water affects the quality of hair. Hot water opens the cuticle allowing sneaky compounds and chemicals to get in. On the other hand, Cold water closes these cuticles preventing compounds from entering the scalp.
Naturally, curly hair has a flatter structure compared to straight hair, which is round and reflects more light. When exposed to hot water, the hair cuticle expands, allowing more external elements to penetrate and onto the hair, affecting your hair's texture and manageability.
Conclusions
The water temperature you choose for washing and rinsing your hair can significantly impact your curly hair. Cold water can moisturize and define your curls but might leave them stiff and flat, on the other hand, hot water can cleanse and stimulate your hair, but it may also cause dryness and damage. The best way to use hot and cold water for curly hair is to use warm water for washing and cold water for rinsing. This way, you can get the best of both worlds and keep your curls healthy, shiny, and bouncy.
Frequently Asked Question
1. Does hot water help curly hairs?
The hot water causes breakage and removes the curls' moisture. Cleansing your hair with warm water is ideal, and gently dissolves dirt and product build-up.
2. Can water make your hair curl?
Your hair becoming curly after a shower is likely because wet hair is more pliable and can be easily reshaped.
3. What makes your hair curly?
A straight follicle produces straight hair, and a curved follicle produces curly hair. So as the hairs grow from follicles this affects the distribution of protein.
