This might be a hard pill to swallow, particularly as we enter the depths of winter, but adding a 30 second cold shot to the end of your shower boasts amazing beauty benefits.
And it just so happens that the cooler months is when your skin and hair will reap the rewards the most.
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For those of us without central heating, we understand that a scalding hot shower might be the only 5-10 minutes a day where you can totally defrost.
But unlike super hot water which can irritate our skin, cold water will soften the flakey, dryness brought on by winter; leaving your skin looking tighter and smoother, as well as reducing puffiness and breakouts.
And if that’s not enough to get your hand on the cold nozzle, wait a minute, because we haven’t even gotten to the benefits for your hair yet.
Cold showers will flatten the hair follicles and in turn, increase their ability to grip onto the scalp.
This leads to shinier, stronger and healthier hair, and can be achieved simply by switching your shower to cold for the last 30 seconds before hopping out.
While 30 seconds in the middle of winter, under a freezing cold shower may feel like a lifetime, it’s about as long as it takes for all of the water to properly reach every part of your body. And before you say you’ll catch a cold, it’s actually also an effective way to boost your immunity and prevent illness as the result of boosted circulation. Perfect for flu season.
For those of us not game to jump into the ocean 12 months a year, this may be the next best thing. The rush of cold water is perfect for those who need help waking up in the morning, and cooling your core body temperature at night can actually help you fall asleep easier.
It’s also been proven to boost your mood, and even promote weight loss, as your body burns calories working harder to stabilise your core temperature.
Give it a try, you may even become addicted. Here’s how it’s done..
At the end of your shower, for 30 seconds, switch the water temperature to cold. Limb by limb (if easier) slowly centre yourself under the stream of cool water until you’ve saturated your hair, underarms and back. Try to distract yourself by focussing on your breathing and before you know it, the 30 seconds is up.
Main image credit: @olivecooke
Have you ever tried finishing your shower with a cold blast?
My husband does this ! Thought he was crazy haha ! I love my steaming hot shower though, it’s too cold for that now.
Cold shower for a few seconds on the hair before stepping out of the bath is my Fav tip for soft hair
Love my hot shower in Winter, but like the benefits of cold showers and make sure it’s cool water on my hair as I wash my conditioner out.
I read many years ago that this is good for the hair after washing, and I have always finished off my hair wash with a cold rinse. As for the rest of my body- no way!!
Never tried this yet, but will have to give it a go Although with all this cold weather I don,t know if I am brave enough to even try.
Sorry its too cold for me to try this.
I actually do this, when I think of it at least. You feel revitalised and while the shock is a bit difficult to take, the blood starts flowing so quickly and before you know it your body has adjusted and you actually get out the shower feeling warmer along with the other mentioned benefits.
One would have to be very brave to switch off the hot water and stand under the cold on these very cold mornings or nights. No thank you maybe in the summer.
Head and heart differ here. Wish that I was brave enough to do the cold hair rinse. I do in summer but skip it in winter!
Nah, I like my hot shower haha
I get the logic! Pain is beauty
This is another idea I will NOT be trying because I hate the idea of a cold shower! I hate the cold and super sensitive to it!
I used to do this for years and years but noticed no difference when I stopped.
I am gonna try it. Not liking my hairs in this cold season.
I think we are trying to limit the water usage because of the drought?
I have tried this but.. in summer haha I cannot stand being cold. My winter hot steamy showers are like spa days for me. I cannot do that haha I’ll just find other ways to support my health.
ha ha I could not do this in winter, Only summer.
I tried the cold water part and didn’t go so well!
I can’t do 3 seconds let alone 30.
so darn cold in the bathroom, i do keep keep trying lol
I have heard this for years from everyone from beauty professionals, pharmacists to hair dressers and I can’t stand it! I am forever cold and I have super hot showers to warm up my bones. Doing the 30 second cold blast at the end always makes me freezing cold and then I can’t warm up again. Didn’t see enough benefits to keep doing this long term.
Great idea, but hard to do this time of year!
I do this BUT ONLY on my head when I was my hair and in winter get out under to double heat light
I read this treatment on BH & had a go, now it winter I drop
to cool, I find this do work for me with sensitive skin & helps
a lot fingers cross & very happy Thanks BH 🙂
haha so true!
I always have the hottest showers. Don’t know if I’m brave enough to have it cold for 30 seconds but I’ll give it a go
Not in the winter time , I can tolerate this in the summer only.
It’s hard to do in winter but well worth the effort for the change it does to your hair and skin.
No way, way too cold here for me to try that – part of the point of a shower is to warm up. I use shower oil at the end of my shower and since using it have neverhad any flaky or dry skin.
I do cold for about 10 seconds! Haha 30 is just sooo long!
Oh I do keep tryng this, but its just so cold
I always finish up with cold water, it helps me to wake up in the mornings! 🙂
Beautyheaven articles often suggest using cold water for showers, but there is no way I’m going to use cold water in cold weather.
It’s meant to be really good for cellulite. I need to try this but I can never do it for the full 30 seconds. Now it’s summer, I might try it out again. I guess it is the same concept of using a plunge pool.
Just started doing this but it is Summer so am finding it easy
I love my showers and cant quite bring this cold blast thing into my shower routine. Occasionally I may do it if it’s a hot day though.
I have known for long time how good cold water is for you but I just don’t know if I can do it.
I would find this hard to do as I love hot hot showers.
A bit of a surprise that only 30 seconds is needed, although this can be a challenge for some, in particular during winter.