Why You Need to Cold Rinse Your Hair
It is slowly but surely getting warmer out, which means your shower is probably getting a little cooler. If this is something you do, we are here to tell you that you are actually helping your hair! Turning the knob to colder never hurt anybody…right?
Sealing the Cuticle
Rinsing our hair in cold water helps close the outer layer of the hair, locking in color, boosting the benefits of conditioner, and adds shine and smoothness. The term “sealing the cuticle” really means sealing in the conditioner that is going to protect your hair from damage. A closed cuticle also adds a ton of shine and reduces tangles. But don’t worry, you don’t need to go below freezing to see these results! All water temperatures have an effect on your hair. Warm water opens the cuticle and allows your shampoo and conditioner to penetrate the hair. Once you have had your conditioner on for a few minutes, you should wash out your hair with cooler water to seal it in.
It turns out that the temperature of your water may be just as important as the product you are using and can even change the way the product reacts to your hair. Hot water keeps the outer layer open, which may cause the hair to look dull and frizzy, whereas cool water seals the outer layer and adds shine. Any products you use afterward for styling will work better with a nice even surface. Rinsing with cold water can also help soothe irritation and prevent dry flakiness.
Washing your hair in warmer temperature will give your hair a thorough cleaning, removing oil and product from the hair. This is particularly important if the scalp produces a lot of oil and you have fine hair. Rinsing your hair with cold water, however, is a good idea if you have recently dyed, conditioned, or treated your hair. In turn, cold water can help prevent the loss of natural oils and helps conditioners and hair masks work better. It may also allow keratin treatments and hair dye to last longer due to hot temperatures stripping hair oils and washes away too much, if not all of your product.
Water pH Levels
When you have damaged hair, water can actually get inside the hair, causing frizz. Hair swelling occurs when the cuticle around the hair shaft becomes damaged and water penetrates in, leading to the hairs swelling with water.
As important as the water temperature is for your locks, pH can have an even greater impact on your hair health. PH stands for “potential of hydrogen,” a scale that measures how acidic or alkaline a substance is. A neutral solution has a pH of 7, with anything below that being acidic and another above being alkaline. A high pH will cause your hair cuticle to open, and a low pH will cause your cuticle to contract. A contracted cuticle is better than open because with an open cuticle, breakage and swelling become more prominent.
Everything from water temperature to pH can change the way hair behaves, but for your best locks, be mindful about keeping the temperature cool. If you have any hair care questions or are looking to book an appointment at Avalanche Salon and Spa, give us a call today at 610-489-2049 or book online here.
