Ditch long, hot showers during winter, or be ready for skin problems

When the weather turns cold, we start taking steaming hot showers, don’t we? A hot shower is what everyone’s body craves on chilly days, and bathing under it is just so soothing. But just the way hot water is horrible for your hair, the same way, taking long hot showers can put your skin at risk. Wonder how? Let us explain this to you. 

How does bathing with hot water affect your skin?

Be honest. How long do you stay in the shower? If you enjoy a long shower, be ready to face some skin problems. 

For many, nothing is more relaxing than a soothing soak in the tub during the winter season. It can help in relieving stress, inducing sleep, and help clear nasal congestion. Although your tub time may feel like a luxury, but if you bathe for a longer period of time with hot water, you can end up damaging keratin skin cells, due to which you may have to face skin problems like rashes, dryness, or itching, especially if you’re taking a long shower with very hot water. 

What exactly can hot water do to your skin?

HealthShots got in touch with renowned dermatologist Dr Ajay Rana to understand this. Here’s what he has to say, “Hot water can be very harmful for the skin, especially during the winter season. Extra hot water strips away the skin’s natural oils, leaving it dehydrated. That, in turn, can cause the skin to dry quickly, so it’s left craving for moisture.” 

He adds, “Showering in extremely hot water strips off all the protective sebum, which keeps our skin barrier healthy. That is why many people also experience skin issues like flaking, itching, and dryness in winter. This excessive dryness can also cause overproduction of oil in those who have oily skin, leading to breakouts, be it back acne or acne on the face.” 

Making hot showers a part of your daily routine will not just dry out your skin due to the effect of prolonged exposure to steaming water, but can also:

• Make your skin prone to infections and allergies
• A hot water shower can strip away the natural protein and liquid from the skin, making it dry, itchy, and end up burning your skin
• If you’re already suffering from psoriasis, eczema, or rosacea, you can lose your natural oil

Also, read: Here’s why you should take a cold shower when you feel anxious

• Itchy skin can get red and sensitive quickly, and a hot shower can make your skin redness worse.

So what should you do?

Hot water is a big NO, but try taking showers with warm water, lasting no longer than 10 minutes. Use a hydrating cream right after a shower to lock the moisture in, suggests Dr Rana. Also, avoid taking frequent baths. This way you can protect your skin.