While everyone knows how beneficial a cold shower is for the body, at this time of year, the mere thought of cold water can make you shiver.
A dermatologist at the Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Melissa Piliang, reveals the ideal water temperature you should use in the shower.
According to her, the ideal temperature is 44-45 (44.4) degrees Celsius.
She says this temperature is sufficient to remove environmental impurities and bacteria from the body.
The hot water coming out of the shower can reach up to 60 degrees Celsius, a temperature that the body can tolerate, but this is too hot, according to doctors.
Of course, to check the water temperature, you need a thermometer under the shower to get an accurate reading.
But for this, Dr. Piliang says the water should be warm enough, but not so hot that it’s hard to bear.
It is important not to use water so hot that it burns your skin, because this also damages its protective layer: “The protective layer is what keeps germs out and doesn’t allow them to penetrate under the skin, but it also keeps the skin hydrated,” explains Dr. Piliang to the Wall Street Journal.
She explains that the skin’s protective layer melts if the water is at a temperature higher than 44-45 degrees Celsius.
She also adds that age is another factor that affects the temperature of the water in the shower. Young people’s protective layer is replaced more quickly than that of older people.
By washing with very hot water, the skin can dry out faster, become irritated, and even become dehydrated.
The next time you take a shower, keep in mind the temperature of 44-45 degrees Celsius.