Cold Showers in Hot Weather Can Raise Internal Body Temperature, Experts Warn

Many people turn to cold showers to feel refreshed and escape the intense summer heat. However, recent scientific research has revealed that this practice may actually have the opposite effect, failing to lower the body's internal temperature.

Experts explain that the ideal core body temperature is approximately 37 degrees Celsius. When the internal temperature rises, the brain signals blood vessels near the skin to dilate, allowing blood to flow closer to the surface and dissipate heat through sweating and thermal radiation.

Yet, when a person suddenly immerses themselves in cold water below 15 degrees Celsius, these blood vessels constrict abruptly. This reduces blood flow to the skin's surface, misleading the body into perceiving a cold environment and triggering heat retention around internal organs rather than heat loss. This response can elevate internal temperature to dangerous levels of 39 to 40 degrees Celsius, potentially causing organ damage.

Additionally, experts caution that sudden exposure to cold water can provoke a "cold shock" response, which raises blood pressure and increases cardiac resistance. This reaction poses significant risks for individuals with coronary heart disease and, in rare cases, may lead to cardiac arrhythmias.

The research also indicates that cold water is ineffective at cleansing the body because it does not dissolve the oily secretions (sebum) responsible for body odor. Instead, cold water causes pores to shrink, trapping dirt inside and promoting the development of pimples and acne.

Conversely, experts note that hot showers are also inadvisable, as they introduce additional heat energy into the body.

The study concludes that the safest and most effective way to shower during hot days is with lukewarm water, between 26 and 27 degrees Celsius. This temperature maintains blood flow to the skin, allowing natural cooling without causing shock to the body.