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"Hot showers are amazing. Period. Especially in the dead of winter when you just can\u2019t seem to warm up, that rush of near-scalding water and the steam bubble it creates around you are the closest you get to heaven in this crazy, mixed-up world. We\u2019d never want to take that feeling away from you. The trouble is that steamy showers can actually wreak havoc on your skin (and hair). \n\nTampering with the delicate moisture balance in your body\u2019s protective coating, baths in almost-boiling water leave your body vulnerable to all sorts of dryness if indulged in regularly. But does that mean the only way to protect your skin and mane is to brave icy mists every morning, when all you crave is the touch of heat? Because that sounds pretty horrible. So we did a little digging to discover if there was any way to have your cake and eat it too, so to speak. And as it turns out, a lot of people think that they\u2019ve found a solution. \n\nTheir claim: after a nice, hot shower, dousing yourself briefly with a stream of freezing water will help lock in moisture, increase circulation, and leave your skin and hair looking instantly more handsome. Sounds simple enough, but is there any science to back it up? According to Dr. Terrence Keaney of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery, there may be.\n\nEDITOR\u2019S PICKGroomingTake Your Shower Game to the Next Level With These GQ-Approved Products \n\nFirst off, there\u2019s the matter of moisture. \u201CCold temperature decreases transepidermal water loss, contributing to better skin hydration,\u201D says Dr. Keaney. Essentially, this means that chilly water does, indeed, help improve skin\u2019s water content, if only by making sure that moisture stays right where it\u2019s needed instead of evaporating into the air. \u201CCold temperature also reduces your skin\u2019s sensitivity to irritants,\u201D Keaney notes. It\u2019s for this reason that a hit of cold water may help guys with hypersensitive skin, such as those with eczema. \n\nNext, there\u2019s circulation. According to Keaney, a chilled end to your shower may \u201Ccause superficial blood vessels to constrict, which can be beneficial to those who are prone to facial flushing or rosacea. Due to decreased facial redness, the skin tone/complexion may appear improved.\u201D Not too shabby. Aside from visual effects, though, cold water may positively influence the body\u2019s general circulation as well. \u201CCold temperature also redirects blood flow to deep blood vessels, improving blood flow to the heart,\u201D Dr. Keaney notes. \u201CThis improved blood return may help the body\u2019s metabolism and processing of waste products.\u201D \n\nBut it\u2019s not just your skin and blood vessels that are affected. \u201CThere are some studies,\u201D Keaney adds, \u201Cto suggest that cold water increases heart rate&amp;quot;\u2014waking you up\u2014&amp;quot;improves your mood, and increases your stores of brown fat [the \u201Cgood\u201D fat that burns calories/energy in order to produce heat].\u201D Win-win-win, if you ask us.\n\nBefore you go ahead and turn the nozzle down to frigid, there are some guidelines you need to follow, though\u2014for safety\u2019s sake. \u201CThe cold water should not be lower than 61 degrees to avoid injury,\u201D says Dr. Keaney. \u201CLow seventy degree temperature for 2-5 minutes is necessary to trigger the expected biologic activity.\u201D \n\nSo there you have it. Go ahead, take that hot shower. All you have to do is dial back the heat right before it\u2019s over, and you&amp;#39;ll emerge a better man for it."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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