There's a pretty good chance that if you consistently expose your skin to hot water, it will eventually become irritated, potentially leading to long-term or even perpetual irritation. This happens because hot water, particularly anything above 104°F or 40°C, essentially scalds your skin, disrupting the proteins and other molecules that constitute your skin and its microbiome. This heat creates a scalding reaction, which in turn irritates the skin, and who knows what detrimental effects it has on your skin's microbial community.
Here's my challenge to you: next time you shower or wash your hands, use lukewarm water. There's no advantage to using hot water, which is anything above those temperatures I mentioned. Hot water will transform your skin, making it feel as if it's been scalded, leading to irritation and discomfort. If you do this habitually, you're setting yourself up for skin issues that might be difficult to reverse once they've set in. To avoid this, consider the following:
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Avoid using hot water while washing your hands. Instead, use lukewarm water with a gentle soap. This practice will be kinder to your skin's barrier.
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Avoid hot showers. Even though it's tempting to indulge in that warm, comforting heat, remember you're potentially damaging your skin. Instead, opt for lukewarm or, if you can handle it, cool water. While cold showers might not be everyone's cup of tea, they are far less damaging to your skin.
I dare you to take this challenge. Monitor how this change affects your skin. Were you miserable with the cooler water, or did you find a new level of comfort? Or perhaps you felt something in between? Share your experience because every bit of feedback helps in understanding how our habits impact our skin's health.
By adopting this practice, you're not just avoiding potential irritation but also fostering a healthier skin environment. Let's make a conscious choice for our skin's long-term health, starting with something as simple as the water temperature we use.
If you found this helpful, subscribe to Dr. Bibi's Newsletter for cutting edge skincare and share this article. For further insights into skincare simplification, check out my book "Sick Skin - Skin Care Made Simple" on Amazon, now available in audio.
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Watch “The Hot Water Challenge!" on YouTube.
Thanks for reading and God bless.
Yuval Bibi, MD/PhD - Board Certified Dermatologist
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