Скачать или смотреть Wash your face with lukewarm water to avoid heart attacks and dry skin: doctors

Summer is here and it’s hot even when you wake up in the morning. Lots of us splash our faces with cold water first thing in the morning. But doctors say that that could be dangerous for people with cardiovascular problems. The sudden splash of cold water can precipitate a heart attack, in rare cases. On the other hand, dermatologists have solemn warnings about hot water, too. They say that washing your face with hot shower water can remove the oils that keep your skin healthy. Let’s take a look at medical opinions on face-washing.

A splash of cold water on the face is a great way to wake yourself up fast. But doctors warn that on a scorching hot day it could put too much pressure on your cardiovascular system.

Voice of Lin Wei-wen
Taiwan Adventist Hospital doctor
Rinsing your face with icy water makes your blood vessels contract suddenly. When your blood vessels both dilate and contract in quick succession, it causes fluctuations in your blood pressure, which can cause unexpected results in the arteries of the brain and heart, like heart attacks, strokes, and so on.

And that’s not all. You might not even get your face clean.

Voice of Hu Yi-hsuan
Dermatologist
Oils dissolve less easily in colder water or icy water, so that might mean that it’s harder to wash your face clean. Water that feels just slightly warm or room temperature, around 20 degrees, is the most suitable for washing yourself.

Many people wash their face when they take a shower, but that could also be something to reconsider.

Hu Yi-hsuan
Dermatologist
Some people shower with water over 40 degrees. Water that hot can easily remove the oils from our skin, causing our skin to dry out and become rough.

Too cold and your heart might get a shock. Too hot and your skin could protest. Doctors have very moderate views about the best way to freshen up.