Cold Showers

Status
Not open for further replies.

VulgarDisplay

Diamond Member
Apr 3, 2009
6,188
2
76
I was reading on a forum for health and fitness today and saw that one member was harping on how much cold showers improved his skin. I myself have horrible dry skin, and decided to do a little research on the matter. I came across quite a few websites that touted the health benefits of taking cold showers vs. hot showers.

This pretty much sums it up.
http://www.cold-showers.com/a-doctors-view-on-cold-showers/

Another person talked about how in James Bond novels he always rinsed in cold water after his showers, and they also said that Spartans only used cold water to wash because they believed it hardened their body. Since Bond, and spartans both ooze pure manliness I think they are a pretty good endorsement.

Does anyone think there is any truth to this? Some of it makes sense, and I think I'm going to give it a shot for a few weeks to see if I notice anything (other than tiny shriveled genitals).
 

Bateluer

Lifer
Jun 23, 2001
27,730
8
0
Keep in mind, Bond is a fictional character. :p

I'm inclined to believe that the mineral content, ie, hard water, is more likely to cause dry skin, than the temperature of the water. But I've never heard much on this subject before.
 

VulgarDisplay

Diamond Member
Apr 3, 2009
6,188
2
76
Keep in mind, Bond is a fictional character. :p

I'm inclined to believe that the mineral content, ie, hard water, is more likely to cause dry skin, than the temperature of the water. But I've never heard much on this subject before.

They claim that hot water opening your pores allows your body's natural oils to escape thus give you dry skin.
 

Megatomic

Lifer
Nov 9, 2000
20,127
6
81
They claim that hot water opening your pores allows your body's natural oils to escape thus give you dry skin.
I'd heard this too.

In endurance sports athletes soak in ice cold water to recover from their exertions. I don't mind standing in cold water up to my thighs, but when my naughty bits get in it I tend to lose my resolve.
 

Wyndru

Diamond Member
Apr 9, 2009
7,318
4
76
They claim that hot water opening your pores allows your body's natural oils to escape thus give you dry skin.

11. Rejuvenate, heal, and tone the skin
Interesting that this subject popped up.

My skin on my face is awful, always peeling off, sore/redness, etc... Just last week I saw a dermatologist for the first time, and the first question he asked was if I showered in hot or cold. I've always showered in hot water, usually very hot. I've switched to cold, and in a week I haven't seen a change, but I assume it takes some time.

Here's hoping it works.
 

VulgarDisplay

Diamond Member
Apr 3, 2009
6,188
2
76
I'd heard this too.

In endurance sports athletes soak in ice cold water to recover from their exertions. I don't mind standing in cold water up to my thighs, but when my naughty bits get in it I tend to lose my resolve.

That's why you have to be such a badass to shower in cold water.

As for being serious. Yes I'm serious, but I'm just as skeptical as you are.
 

VulgarDisplay

Diamond Member
Apr 3, 2009
6,188
2
76
One thing is for sure, my blood is pumping and I'm wide awake now. So at least some of it is true. If you have trouble getting up in the morning try some cold water. After waiting about 10 minutes I notice that my hands and feet feel hot now, which I take to be a good sign because I have problems with my extremities falling asleep quite often.

After a hot shower I immediately get extremely itchy after drying off. I did not notice this today after taking a cold shower.
 
Last edited:

Exodist

Senior member
Dec 1, 2009
331
0
0
I dont do cold showers.. But I do have crappy and dried skin..
Just stick to lotion myself and be happy my ballz dont turn blue and fall off.
 

marmasatt

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2003
6,576
22
81
I was mocking you, but I actually do take a cold shower a couple of times a week. Not completely cold, but say hot for 10 min and cold for the last 3 min. Or sometimes I switch between hot and cold alternating. It's supposed to be good for circulation and obviously it's somewhat therapeutic and anti-inflammatory for muscle/joint soreness, etc. And yes, it wakes you up. I consider the cold shower thing the same thing as "icing" but while I think it's shocking to your body and seems really cold, it may not be as cold (nor therapeutic I suppose) as straight up icing.
 

Sixguns

Platinum Member
May 22, 2011
2,258
2
81
I take cold showers after the gym. Well, not cold just not as hot as I normally do. I do that because it helps me kind of cool down.
 

shortylickens

No Lifer
Jul 15, 2003
80,287
17,082
136
Slather yourself with lots of lotion right after a shower, while your pores are still open.
Get a big jug of the generic shit from Walmart.
 

tedrodai

Golden Member
Jan 18, 2006
1,014
1
0
Didn't read your link, but everyone here is using the terms hot and cold. How about warm?

In my experience, hot showers make my skin MUCH more dry than a warm or a cold shower. I've taken hot showers all my life up until the middle of last year, when I started taking merely comfortably warm showers. My skin will still get dry sometimes, especially dearing winter, but not to the extent it did when I was taking hot showers. For me, I've even started enjoying it more that way. I usually turn the temp down as much as possible to keep the shower comfortable...of course what you deem comfortable may affect your ability to get any benefit from doing this.

Cold showers? Yuck--there's no way in hell will I convert to that. Except, I do take a cold shower sometimes when my body temperature is up after a really good workout...it feels really good then, however.
 

killster1

Banned
Mar 15, 2007
6,205
475
126
lol i take pure cold showers but its not winter yet.. i make a growling sound for like the first min of it too.. i find it fun about to go take one now. mmmmmmmmmmm.. thought it helps your skin tighten or something toughens ya up thats for sure and makes you feel warmer? hehe
 
Status
Not open for further replies.