John Myers
Ice-cold refreshment or comfortably warm relaxation? When it comes to the question of the perfect shower temperature, opinions differ – especially in summer. The following tips reveal what temperature is considered healthy when showering and whether cool or hot water is recommended in hot weather.
What is generally considered a normal shower temperature?
The ideal shower temperature is around body temperature, i.e. around 37 °C. If you like it a little warmer, you can increase the water temperature to up to 43 °C, if you prefer a colder shower, you can lower the water temperature to 18 °C. A smaller range is recommended for children – a water temperature between 35 °C and 37 °C is ideal for them when showering and bathing. By the way: Not only is the right shower temperature important for children, but also foam baths and shower gel, which care for children’s sensitive skin.
Warm or cold: what is the perfect shower temperature when it is hot?
In summer, when the thermometer outside climbs to 30, 35 or even 40 °C and more, the longing to cool down is great. A nice, cold shower then sounds very tempting. But be careful: shower temperatures that are too low cool the body down too much, so that after the refreshment it warms up again and adapts to the ambient temperature. To prevent the body from overheating, it produces more sweat to cool down again. In other words, a cold shower in summer only provides a very brief boost of freshness. Better: set the temperature in the middle range when showering in summer. Lukewarm water also ensures pleasant refreshment without cooling the body down too much
Shower in the morning, in the evening, or several times in summer – that is the question. Basically, repeated showers in the same day is not a good idea, as it can dry out the skin. Shower sessions that are too long can also have this effect. Therefore, you should opt for a short shower in the morning or in the evening. The morning shower has the advantage of starting the day more alert and is, therefore, a blessing, especially for morning grouches. A light shower foam with a citrus scent provides additional invigoration. A lukewarm evening shower relaxes and can help you fall asleep – perfect for early risers who want to wind down in the evening. A shower gel for sensitive skin gently cleanses and removes sunscreen, sweat, and dirt that has accumulated throughout the day.
What happens if the shower water is too hot or too cold?
Exceeding the recommended maximum shower temperature of 43 °C for too long dries out the skin and can damage its natural protective barrier. Flaky, irritated and itchy skin is a possible result. Water that is too cold, on the other hand, has hardly any disadvantages, apart from the increased production of sweat on warm days. It may be the case that an extended shower with very low water temperatures causes hypothermia – but the icy water is usually so uncomfortable beforehand that it only lasts for a short cold stimulus.
After warm comes cold: contrast showers are so healthy
You can do something good for your body by alternating between cold water at around 18 °C and warm water at around 38 °C. The intervals should be between 20 and 60 seconds. These so-called contrast showers stimulate blood flow and circulation. Similar to how a muscle can be trained by tensing and relaxing, this also works for the vessels during alternating showers: the cold water contracts the veins, and the heat dilates them. This can, for example, effectively support the treatment of venous insufficiency.
