Are you a fan of hot showers? We have some disappointing news
11:55 AM EST, November 20, 2023
Do you like to jump into a hot shower to warm up when you get home? A doctor with a popular profile on TikTok has some disheartening news: hot showers can be detrimental to your health. Does a certified dermatologist agree with this claim?
Dr. Mahyar Maddahali, a vascular surgery specialist who runs the popular educational TikTok profile "It's Dr. Max," recently shared a controversial video that alarmed many hot bath enthusiasts.
Hot showers have a vast following, particularly during the chilly fall and winter. After all, they are an instant remedy for a cold body. However, the doctor asserts that hot showers can negatively affect our health.
In his video, Dr. Max argued that dousing oneself with hot water can detrimentally impact our skin condition. The hot water washes off the skin's natural lipids, weakening its hydrolipidic layer.
Dr. Max also stated that high temperatures might lead to the dilation of blood vessels, which can consequently cause skin redness and irritation. In his conclusion, Dr. Max said that sensitive individuals might faint if exposed to extreme temperatures for extended periods.
Are Hot Showers Harmful? A Dermatologist Weighs In
The news shared by the doctor left many of his followers heartbroken. Reporters from the "In The Know by Yahoo" portal sought advice from a certified dermatologist to verify the TikTok star's claim.
Regrettably, for hot bath enthusiasts, Dr. Teresa Song of a dermatology clinic in New York confirmed that taking long, hot showers is unfavorable for skin health.
"Very hot showers are generally ill-advised as they compromise the protective barrier of the skin; thus shower time should be kept as brief as possible. Particularly, they aren't ideal for patients suffering from dry skin or psoriasis. Hot showers can trigger skin dryness and irritation while also activating allergic cells in the body, leading to itching," explained Dr. Song.
The dermatologist instead advocated for cold showers. As hard water causes the blood vessels to shrink, it "alleviates skin itchiness, reduces stress hormone levels, and may assist in decreasing swelling and pain," highlighted the respondent of the "In The Know by Yahoo" portal.
