The dry cabin air, dehydration and long periods of sitting after a flight already put our bodies under stress, and a hot shower can put extra strain on your skin and circulation
Brits jetting off on holiday have been warned that jumping straight into a hot shower after a flight could do more harm than good.
A steamy shower can worsen post-flight swelling in the ankles and feet, dry out skin and even affect blood circulation, according to shower and spa experts at Vidalux.co.uk.
It is a fairly common practice, at the end of a long day’s journeying, to head straight home or to the hotel to relax, freshen up and take a shower. However, turning the water on and having a good, steamy soak could in fact leave you feeling worse.
Dry cabin air, dehydration, and long periods of sitting after a flight already stress our bodies, and a hot shower can put extra strain on our skin and circulation. Instead, travellers should opt for a cool or lukewarm shower.
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This will deliver similar, if not higher, levels of freshness, while also lowering the risk of drying out your skin and negatively impacting your blood circulation. Taking a milder shower may also help your body regulate its temperature more effectively and reduce fluid retention.
Andy Ellis, shower specialist at Vidalux.co.uk, said: “A lot of us love taking a shower after a flight to help freshen up when we get back home but those taking a hot shower could be doing more harm than good to their bodies.
“After a flight our skin is already pretty dry and dehydrated from the low humidity in the plane. Taking a hot shower can worsen this feeling as the hot water will strip the body of its natural oils. Hot water also causes our blood vessels to dilate, which can worsen existing swelling and blood circulation issues after flying.
“This doesn’t mean you can’t take a shower though. As long as you stick to a cool or lukewarm shower post-flight then you’ll be absolutely fine.”
Swelling in the ankles and feet is common after flying and hot water can make this issue worse by causing the blood vessels to dilate further.
Planes are extremely dry and they can leave you feeling dehydrated. This is because the low humidity levels cause the air to pull moisture from our skin, lips and eyes. Hot showers also strip natural oils from the skin which can worsen dryness or irritation after a flight.
Long periods of sitting and cabin pressure changes can lead to poor circulation. Hot showers, which dilate blood vessels, can also lower blood pressure.
Hot showers can interfere with your sleep schedule, especially if you’re already suffering from jet lag. The hot water raises your body’s core temperature, which can make you feel more awake. Taking a hot shower after an evening flight can disrupt your body’s natural cooling process that signals it’s time to sleep.