How Does Water Temperature Affect Hair Structure?

Table of Contents

• Key Findings
• The Impact of Water Temperature on Hair Structure
• Temperature and Hair: Facts vs Fiction
• Is Hot Water Bad for Your Hair?
• Is Cold Water Good for Your Hair?
• How to Wash Your Hair the Right Way
• How to Tackle Hair Loss and Thinning Through Daily Care
• Products for Good Hair Health
• Warm Water vs Cold Water: The Final Word
• Begin Your Journey Towards Healthier Hair Today

Key Findings

• Tailoring water temperature can help you get the best results with your hair care routine
• Deeper cleanses are typically best with warm water, while cold water can be good for closing the cuticle, reducing frizz and adding shine
• Excessive use of hot water may lead to damage
• Customising your hair care routine with water temperature control whilst using hair loss treatments may help boost results

The Impact of Water Temperature on Hair Structure

The first thing to be aware of is that water temperature can affect the way your hair cuticles behave.  

This outer protective layer on your hair strand is raised and opened when washed in hot water, which can put it at risk of moisture loss and dehydration as natural oils are stripped away. As a result, your hair is left frizzy and dry, which, over time, can lead to damage.  

Cold water on the other hand, encourages the follicle to close, which is beneficial for moisture retention and shine. However, that does not mean that it’s always the best option. Cold water is not as effective in cleansing buildup and oils on your scalp, therefore it is usually recommended as a last step in the hair washing process.  

Getting the right balance is key for the health of both your scalp and strands, and if done correctly, can help prevent unwanted hair loss.  

Temperature and Hair: Facts vs Fiction

Now we’ve established how water temperature affects hair structure, we’ll now dig deeper into the facts. It’s a topic often surrounded by many old wives’ tales and myths. 

A common belief is that cold water makes your hair grow faster.  

Water temperature does not directly influence the rate at which hair grows. Hair growth is determined by factors such as genetics, hormones and your overall health, not how cold or hot the water is during washing. 

Another is that hot water cleans hair better. While a warmer temperature does help to break down dirt and oils, excessively hot temperatures can cause more harm than good, causing heat stress, weakening hair’s protein structure, removing essential natural oils and leaving the hair feeling dry, making it more prone to breakage. 

Is Hot Water Bad for Your Hair?

The Truth About Hot Water Myths

So, although we know that hot water can leave your hair feeling dry, that does not mean that it’s inherently bad. These effects usually come about when used frequently or at very high temperatures.  

The benefit of hot water is that it lifts the hair cuticle, which can help cleanse away dirt and oil. However, when overdone, it can take away natural oils and leave hair dry, frizzy, and more prone to breakage.  

That doesn’t mean you have to wash with cold water either. A balanced routine using warm water to clean and a cool rinse to seal the cuticle can give you the benefits of both without the damage.  

Moderation is the key ingredient here, as well as the right temperature at the right time.  

Is Cold Water Good for Your Hair?

What Happens When You Wash Your Hair with Cold Water?

Over the years, cold water has built a reputation as the key secret to shiny, healthy strands. The truth is, it can help to smooth the cuticle layer, which is important for managing frizz and creating optimum conditions for light to reflect more evenly off the hair, which gives it a shiny appearance.  

Natural oils on your scalp are also better preserved when cold water is used, which is essential for moisture and protection. 

Despite these benefits, cold water is not the best choice for removing buildup or thoroughly cleansing the scalp.  

Incorporating a cool rinse at the end of your wash can be a simple way to support smoother, more manageable strands. 

How to Wash Your Hair the Right Way

The Best Temperature for Hair Washing

When washing your hair, getting the temperature just right is just as important to choosing the correct type of shampoo.  

Warm water is usually optimum because it helps to slightly open the hair cuticle, making it easier to remove dirt, oil and product buildup from the scalp. This helps your shampoo to work more effectively, giving you are more thorough cleanse.  

Finishing with a cool or cold-water rinse once you’ve rinsed out your shampoo and conditioner can help smooth the cuticle and lock in moisture.  

How to Tackle Hair Loss and Thinning Through Daily Care

Small, consistent changes to your everyday hair care routine can make a massive difference. 

Introducing a gentle shampoo which is free of harsh chemicals or sulphates will help protect your hair from any unnecessary loss of natural oils. Following with a nourishing conditioner helps with moisture balance and the general strength of your hair.  

Over-washing can weaken strands and irritate the scalp. Two to three times a week is often enough for most hair types; however, this can vary. For example, coarse hair textures often need a longer period between washes.  

Limit heat styling and tight hairstyles because these can lead to mechanical stress and contribute to breakage and shedding. A few minutes of daily scalp massage will help boost circulation to your scalp and encourage hair growth, too. 

Products for Good Hair Health

Shampoos 

Not only is shampoo important for maintaining the health of your hair, but it can also affect how your shampoo works. Using the right type of shampoo for your chosen water temperature can not only improve results but also protect your hair’s natural structure and health. 

A clarifying or balancing shampoo works well with warm water washes. This is because the warmth helps raise the hair cuticle and dissolve oils, allowing the active ingredients to deeply cleanse the scalp and strands, making it ideal for removing buildup. 

Since colder water temperatures don’t lift the cuticle as much, moisturising or hydrating shampoos are good for cold water washes. They should be rich in conditioning agents that can still deliver moisture and protection without relying on the cuticle being fully open.  

On top of that, it helps to seal in ingredient benefits, so shampoos with argan oil, shea butter or keratin can lock in nourishment more effectively when followed by a cool rinse. 

Hair Conditioners and Hair Masks

Most of us turn to hair conditioners and masks to improve elasticity and restore moisture, but did you know their performance can depend on the water temperature used during your application and rinsing. 

Using warm water before conditioning or applying a mask can help nourishing ingredients penetrate more deeply because the hair shaft is raised. It can be particularly useful when using protein-rich or repairing formulas designed to strengthen damaged or chemically treated hair. 

After letting the product sit, rinsing with cool or cold water is ideal because it helps smooth the cuticle, which seals in the moisture and nutrients. As a result, your hair has less frizz and more shine without adding any extra weight to the hair.  

Look for ingredients that suit your hair’s specific needs, for example, coconut oil or hyaluronic acid for hydration, keratin for strength or panthenol for shine.  

Don’t forget, warm water opens the door, but cold water helps to lock in the benefits; therefore, using conditioners and masks strategically can elevate your hair care routine and lead to noticeably healthier hair over time. 

Hair Growth and Scalp Products

When paired with the right water temperature, hair growth and scalp products can make a big difference to the health of your hair.  

Ingredients like biotin and caffeine are commonly found in these products and are known to stimulate and support hair growth. To get the most out of them, apply to your scalp after washing your hair with warm water.  

Blood flow to the scalp will be boosted from the warmth, while any buildup will soften, allowing active ingredients to absorb more effectively.  

Avoid rinsing out with hot water because this can irritate the scalp and reduce any benefits. Instead, rinse with cool or lukewarm water if needed, or leave no-rinse formulas on and let them work throughout the day or night. 

Hair loss treatments such as Finasteride can be effective in promoting new hair growth by reducing levels of DHT, the hormone responsible for hair loss. To make the most of these benefits, it's important to complement the treatment with a customised hair care routine using both warm and cold water. This helps ensure that any new growth is properly supported and maintained, giving your hair the best chance to thrive.

Warm Water vs Cold Water: The Final Word

Both warm and cold water offer benefits, and the most effective routines use them together strategically.  

Starting your wash with warm (not hot) water will help get rid of any dirt and oil and raise your hair cuticle, ready for deep cleansing and nourishing ingredients. Excessive heat can strip natural oils and leave hair dry and fragile, so remember to avoid water that's too hot. 

Cold water doesn’t cleanse as effectively but is an important finishing step. It helps flatten and smooth the hair cuticle, lock in moisture and minimise frizz. It also offers a soothing effect to the scalp and helps maintain its natural balance. 

Neither warm nor cold water is best. It’s about tailoring your hair care routine, making sure that when and how you use them is at the optimum time. Wash with warm water, rinse with cool and avoid excessive high temperatures.  

Begin Your Journey Towards Healthier Hair Today

Whether you're dealing with thinning hair, hair loss or simply want to improve your scalp health, Chemist Click offers clinically proven solutions at affordable prices. Hair growth treatments like Finasteride for hair loss are effective in 90% of men, and high-strength Minoxidil is formulated in a UK NHS-approved lab. Our hair loss treatments are available through a discreet online consultation process with licensed professionals.  

You can manage your hair health from home, no pharmacy queues or unnecessary appointments. Start your hair loss journey today and experience the difference of a routine that works with your hair, not against it. 

FAQs

How to get thicker hair?

To get thicker hair, use thickening shampoos and nourish your scalp with ingredients such as rosemary oil, caffeine and biotin. Clinically proven options like Minoxidil are effective for stimulating growth. 

Can cold showers help with hair loss?

Although cold showers alone won’t stop or reverse hair loss, they can help to improve blood circulation to the scalp and can reduce inflammation, which may create a better environment for hair growth.  

How to grow hair back fast?

Hair loss treatments like Minoxidil and Finasteride can help you grow back hair between 3 to 6 months. Maintain a healthy diet rich in protein and vitamins and support scalp health by using gentle products, free of harsh chemicals. Regular scalp massages help to deliver oxygen to the hair follicles, which can encourage hair growth.

What causes hair loss in women?

Hair loss in women can be caused by hormonal changes, such as menopause or pregnancy, stress, genetics, thyroid disorders and iron deficiency. Lifestyle factors such as wearing certain hairstyles that cause tension or using hair treatments with harsh chemicals can lead to hair loss. Conditions like female pattern hair loss, also known as androgenetic alopecia, are common and often require targeted treatment. 

How much hair loss is normal?

It’s normal to lose 50 to 100 hairs per day as part of the natural hair growth cycle. If you notice excessive shedding, thinning patches or a sudden volume change, it may be a sign of an underlying issue that needs attention. It’s best to speak to your GP if you’re concerned about your hair loss.  

Can shampoo cause hair loss?

No, shampoo itself typically doesn't cause hair loss, but harsh formulas with sulphates or allergens can irritate the scalp and weaken hair over time, leading to increased shedding or breakage.  

If you're noticing hair loss after switching shampoos, it may be due to sensitivity to certain ingredients or over-washing rather than the shampoo directly causing it. 

Resources

• Gloucester Hospitals NHS Foundations Trust (n.d). Good Hair Advice. Retrieved 17th July 2025, from: https://www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/media/documents/Good_hair_care_advice_GHPI1694_01_22.pdf  

Whilst all of our content is written and reviewed by healthcare professionals, it is not intended to be substituted for or used as medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.