Dr Max Maddahali has issued a warning to anyone who enjoys a scorching hot shower, as the doctor says the water temperature can cause a range of health issues
For those who revel in steaming hot showers, a word of caution has been sounded by Dr Max Maddahali, following a response to a TikTok video where a man humorously disclosed that he and his wife can’t agree on shower temperatures.
The man explained that his wife prefers her showers “just below boiling,” which led Dr Maddahali to offer some sage advice: “If you’re taking excessively too hot showers, this is for you.”
He went into detail, explaining the detrimental effects on skin oils: “There are some natural oils on your skin that are keeping your skin moist, but hot water can completely wash them off, so dryness can happen.”
Additionally, Dr Maddahali noted that extremely high water temperatures could cause blood vessels beneath the skin to expand, potentially leading to redness and irritation.
Furthermore, he cautioned: “Also, hot water can cause hair damage,” whilst highlighting the risk of taking overly long hot showers, “Not to mention if you’re taking hot showers for too long, it can cause your blood pressure to drop and cause you to faint.”
Alarmingly, he concluded with: “Finally, having a shower that is too hot can compromise your immune system.”
Despite some TikTok users disregarding such notifications, others shared their experiences, with one revealing: “My fiancé use to take boiling showers and would always faint.”
Others acknowledged similar experiences, as one admitted: “Yeah I definitely passed out couple times.”
Meanwhile, a third user agreed to reduce the temperature when washing hair but remained committed to enjoying hot showers for the rest of their body.
A fourth TikTok user divulged their skincare strategy: “I use hot or warm water to open up the pores and then at the very end I use the coldest water possible to close the pores.”
A fifth individual expressed their worries, writing: “The blood pressure issue and fainting happens to me a lot. I always have to take care to keep the water temp right.”
Supporting Dr Maddahali’s guidance, experts at Mira Showers recommend lukewarm or cooler showers for optimal skin health.
The firm advises: “Hot water strips your skin of natural oils, which can lead to dry and itchy skin, so it’s best to stick to an average shower temperature of between 37°C and 38°C.”
They continue: “If you have sensitive skin, then the spray settings on your shower, as well as the temperature, can also affect your showering experience.”
Just like with skin, hot water can remove essential oils from your hair, leading to dryness. For those with coloured hair, high temperatures may accelerate colour fading compared to washing in cooler water.
“Taking a long shower in water that is too hot can raise your body temperature and can cause dizziness and even heat stroke. Similarly, taking a long cold shower can also decrease your body temperature, which can make you feel dizzy and decrease your breathing rate.It’s crucial to stay alert to how you feel during a shower and aim to maintain a moderate temperature whenever possible.”