Moderately cold temperatures can be good for the skin's overall health by constraining blood vessels. This makes blood vessels less prone to redness and swelling.
Cold weather certainly has its perks, but it can be harsh on your skin. When temperatures drop, the air loses moisture, which means less humidity for your skin to soak up. This can result in dry skin, redness, and sensitivity.
As outlined in this chapter, cold indoor temperatures have been associated with increased blood pressure, asthma symptoms and poor mental health. Cold homes contribute to excess winter mortality and morbidity.
``The optimal temperature of the skin is 31 degrees Celsius (or 87.8 degrees Fahrenheit). As your skin temperature increases, more sebum is secreted, which can lead to clogged pores and acne. If your skin temperature increases significantly, your skin's elasticity is affected and skin aging is accelerated.''
At the cellular level, cold can impair contraction kinetics in muscle and reduce the rate of excitation–contraction coupling. This practice significantly enhance body health, especially the skin, by balancing sebum levels, reducing acne and blocked pores, and releasing norepinephrine to modulate sebum production.
Cold therapy, also known as cryotherapy, is an excellent tool to help achieve firmer, more glowing skin. Cryotherapy triggers a process called vasoconstriction in which the blood vessels in the skin contract, giving the skin a firmer appearance.
The body's natural cooling process after a cold shower can promote sleepiness and facilitate a smoother transition into sleep. Cold showers can also lower body temperature, which is associated with sleep onset and maintenance, potentially improving sleep quality.
Answer: Cold compresses can occasionally provide mild relief from bothersome itching and the inflammation that often accompanies it. The cold temperature offers a numbing effect on the targeted area and helps to decrease related swelling.
Warmer climates are full of humidity, and the extra moisture in the air is fantastic for our skin. However, that doesn't mean you should get complacent! The sun is obviously far and away the biggest threat to our skin's health during the summer months.
Downsides of Sleeping Cold
Some people sleep poorly in a cooler environment. Feeling cold can significantly disrupt their sleep. This may be because thermal sensation varies by person and can impact their whole-body thermal comfort and sleep quality.
Optimal Temperature by Room
Living Room: Maintaining a temperature range of 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit in the living room is recommended for optimal health. Lower temperatures can make you feel cold and restless, while higher temperatures can induce overheating and dehydration.
In addition to causing dry, itchy skin, dry, cold air can make fine lines and wrinkles more noticeable.
Maine, the overall best state to live in for skin health, unsurprisingly tops our list as the best state to live in for limited sunlight and UV exposure. With a UV score of just 2 out of 50, Maine has a UV level of 6, regarded as moderate-high by the EPA.
Lukewarm water is the way to go for any skin-related cleansing (including your body). You want some warmth in your water, since as you probably know, heat can help loosen plugs in pores. (This is the reason steamers are so popular with aestheticians.)
The cold weather months can greatly compromise skin health, triggering such conditions as xerosis (dry skin) or eczema (itchy, dry, reddish patches or lesions on the skin) which can vary in severity.
Here are a few skin reasons why you should take the plunge and try them out: Cold water can help close pores, preventing dirt and bacteria from getting into the skin. Cold water can also help to reduce inflammation and redness in the skin. Cold showers can increase circulation, which gives your skin a healthy glow.
'Sleeping in a cold room will help decrease our body temperature and increase our natural melatonin production,' the expert says. But its benefits don't end there. 'Keeping cool at night will not only help you fall asleep but will prevent you from waking up at night overheating.
Ideally you should heat your home to a temperature of at least 18 °C. This is particularly important if you have reduced mobility, are 65 or over, or have a health condition, such as heart or lung disease. Having room temperatures slightly over 18 °C could be good for your health.
Boosts Metabolism and Weight Loss
Regular cold showers stimulate the production of brown fat, a type of fat that generates heat by burning calories. Over time, this can aid in weight management and potentially support weight loss efforts when combined with a balanced diet and exercise.
While there is no ideal frequency, experts suggest that showering several times per week is plenty for most people (unless you are grimy, sweaty, or have other reasons to shower more often). Short showers (lasting three or four minutes) with a focus on the armpits and groin may suffice.