Rinsing hair

Hello. Which temperature is best to rinse the shampoo/conditioner from hair with? I have read differing opinions about this in recent years & wondered if anyone has any facts about which would be best for hair.

Well..I read a study last month from England that addressed this very issue. Here is a summary of it with the temperatures in C and F.


Tests were carried out over six-months on more than 500 volunteers to examine different methods of wetting, lathering and rinsing hair.

The result is a strict combination which differs depending on the length of the hair.

The formula was devised by scientists at the research centre of beauty product brand Dove in Port Sunlight, Merseyside.

According to its scientists, only running water at a temperature of 36.7 C (98 F) should be used.

People with short hair should use no more than 6ml of shampoo, medium length 8ml, and long 10ml. Lathering should last 28 seconds and involve 20 rubs.

Hair should then be rinsed for at least 22 seconds and repeated once to ensure cleanliness from the root to the tip.

The experts say conditioner is essential to complete the perfect wash.

Again, the amount recommended depends on the length of hair - 2ml for short, 4ml for medium, and 6ml for long.

The conditioner should be applied with a wide-toothed comb and left for 57 seconds before rinsing with water at 36.7 C (98 F).

Finally, hair should be patted with a towel to absorb excess water, then left to dry naturally.

Kerys Mullen, technical manager at Dove, said: "A lot of people ask us about the best way to wash their hair so we decided to work out the ideal formula."


I will also throw in that long hair guru George Michael says you should ALWAYS rinse with COLD water. I know one woman that went to one of his salons and referred to the rinse as "brain freezing."

So, take your pick.

I just read this little tidbit in Ladies Home Journal:

Rinse your hair with cold water to make it shine.

The theory is that a final rinse with cold water after your shampoo seals the cuticle, helping it to reflect more light. But according to hair and scalp expert Philip Kingsley, author of Hair, An Owner's Handbook (Aurum Press, 1995), lowering the water temperature won't enhance shine. In fact, cold water constricts the blood vessels of the scalp, temporarily cutting off the supply of nutrients needed for healthy hair. What helps give hair a pretty sheen? Rinsing thoroughly so that no dulling shampoo residue remains on your hair.

I think your idea of using COOL water, as opposed to COLD, is probably the best.

Good luck and many years of happy rinsing.