In the world of beauty and wellness, there seems to be a new trend every other day. Whether it’s vitamins for hair growth or pore vacuums to remove blackheads, many of these trendy treatments (a) aren’t legit and (b) can do more harm than good. The latest? There’s a rise in hair steaming and, as a result, panicked searches about whether or not shower steam is bad for hair.
For your information, hair steaming has been around for ages and was originally popularized in salons specializing in curls and coils. We at Cosmo We’ve previously rounded up all the best home steamers for natural hair and answered all your pressing questions/need-to-know, so today we’re going back to basics. Let’s explore whether your shower steam helps or hurts all hair types, the difference between shower steam and hair steamers, which products can maximize the potential benefits of steam, and what happens to your hair on a ~scientific~ level, courtesy of an expert trichologist.
Is the steam from the shower bad for your hair?
Trichologist Kerry E. Yates says that the steam from the shower generally not bad for your hair. In fact National Library of Medicine A study found that when exposed to heat below 130 °C (284 °F), changes in hair structure are minimal and reversible.
Although steam is moist heat, the average shower temperature, for comparison, is somewhere between 98 and 104 degrees.
However, that’s not to say there are no risks at all. Excessive humidity is thought to cause a condition called hygral fatigue, where hair repeatedly swells and shrinks as it gains and loses water, which can cause damage, especially to highly porous, fine or colored hair. Those who believe they have experienced this report problems such as loss of curl pattern, hair breakage, tangles and frizz.
FWIW, there is currently no scientific evidence for hygral fatigue in human hair, and the steam from your shower is not as intense or as hot as a dedicated hair steamer. Take it from Yates: “Usually, your shower steam is not extreme unless you’re in a steam room,” she says. If you’re worried, pay attention to how often you wash your hair and scrub and brush it gently, OK? Cool.
Gentle hair products we love:
Microfiber cloth for gentle drying
VOLO Hero Capri Blue Hair Towel
Coconut oil for pre-washing
COCO & CO. Pure organic extra virgin coconut oil
Now 17% discount
Wide-toothed comb for detangling curls
Shower cap for days when you don’t need to wash your hair
Auban shower cap terry lined
Is a hot shower bad for your hair?
Although Yates says that steam out of the shower isn’t bad for your hair, but what can be challenging is the effect of hot water on your scalp. Your scalp is an extension of the skin on your face, and without a healthy scalp, your hair is vulnerable to a number of conditions (hello, hair loss, dandruff, etc.). “Exposing your scalp and skin to very hot water can cause redness, inflammation, and irritation,” says Yates, adding that repeated exposure to extreme heat can negatively affect the health of hair follicles and cause dryness.
TL;DR: A healthy scalp is crucial to the health of your hair, and water that’s too hot can lead to conditions that damage your hair roots or even stunt hair growth. Yates says if you feel like the water is too hot or burning, you should get out of the shower immediately, and if you notice your scalp is dry, you have a progressive scalp condition, or you experience a strange/painful sensation on your scalp, you should see a dermatologist or trichologist who can better evaluate your problem.
What is hair steaming?
Hair steaming gently opens the hair cuticles, allowing products to penetrate deep into the hair and improve moisture, hydration and overall health. It is used in hair salons specializing in curls and coils (hi, 4a, 4bAnd 4c Hair) has been around for ages, and many people with curly hair and even those with straight hair swear by it. And while hair steaming can also be done in the shower or bath with a heated towel, you’ll generally get better results with a salon steamer or a home-use device.
Here are some home hair steamers that we
Vicarko Hair Steamer Heat Cap
Kingsteam Hair and Face Steamer
Now 11% discount
Tifara Beauty – Cordless deep care heat cap
If you’re doing it at home, steaming is relatively simple. Apply your favorite moisturizing product all over your hair, sit under the tool for no more than twenty minutes, and avoid steaming more than once a week to avoid heat damage (think damage from a hot tool). Then sit back, relax, and get ready for the magic of steaming. Um, helloooo, shinier, smoother, more moisturized hair.
Combine these hair moisturizers with your home steamer:
Leave-in for low porosity hair
Matrix Keep Me Vivid Color Laminating Spray
Deep conditioner for hair type 4c
Mielle Organics Babassu & Mint Deep Conditioner
Hair oil for all curl types
Fable & Mane MahaMane™ Smooth and Shiny Hair Oil
Curl cream for low porosity hair
Rahua Control Cream Curl Styler
The conclusion:
In general, trichologist Kerry E. Yates says that steam from the shower is not bad for hair. may Water that is too hot can be harmful to the scalp as it can cause irritation, dryness or inflammation. An optimal scalp climate is key to the health of your hair, so pay attention to the water temperature and don’t worry too much if a little steam fogs up your mirror.
Meet the expert:
Kerry E. Yates is a trichologist and inventor of Color Collectivean incubator of beauty development partners who help in the conception, development and implementation of new beauty brands.
Why trust Cosmo?
Siena-Gagliano is an assistant editor at Cosmopolitan and has four years of experience writing beauty, fashion and lifestyle news. She is an expert in researching and writing beauty stories, such as the best shampoo for a dry scalp and the best Hair growth oilsShe regularly collaborates with the industry’s top dermatologists and trichologists to evaluate new trends, formulas and brands.
Siena Gagliano is co-editor of Cosmopolitanwhere she mainly reports on beauty, fashion, travel and lifestyle. Want to know how to get the most beautiful eyebrows of your life? Got it. How about the best fashion deals of the season, the softest sheets on the market or exactly how to use retinol without irritating your skin? Check, check and check. Before you join CosmopolitanSiena was a writer at Hectic and several other media outlets. Her goal for 2024 is to find the best (extra) dirty martini NYC has to offer — and yes, that means she’ll ~try~ to try every nice cocktail bar in town (please give her some recommendations). Follow Siena on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes look at her magazine life.
