Britons jetting off on holiday have been warned that jumping straight into a scorching shower after a flight might do more harm than good. A hot shower can worsen post-flight swelling in the ankles and feet, dry out skin and even affect blood circulation, according to shower and spa experts at Vidalux.co.uk..
It's quite a typical habit, after a long day of travelling, to head straight home or to the hotel to relax, freshen up and have a shower. However, cranking up the water temperature and indulging in a good, steamy wash could actually make you feel worse.
Dry cabin air, dehydration, and extended periods of sitting after a flight already put strain on our bodies, and a hot shower can add extra pressure on our skin and circulation, reports the Mirror, reports Birmingham Live. Instead, travellers should opt for a cool or lukewarm shower. This will deliver similar, if not better, levels of freshness, whilst also reducing the chance of drying out your skin and negatively impacting your blood circulation.
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Taking a gentler shower may also help your body regulate its temperature more effectively and reduce fluid retention. Andy Ellis, shower expert at Vidalux.co.uk, said: "A lot of us love taking a shower after a flight to help freshen up when we get back home but those taking a hot shower could be doing more harm than good to their bodies.
"After a flight our skin is already pretty dry and dehydrated from the low humidity in the plane. Taking a hot shower can worsen this feeling as the hot water will strip the body of its natural oils.
"Hot water also causes our blood vessels to dilate, which can worsen existing swelling and blood circulation issues after flying. This doesn't mean you can't take a shower though. As long as you stick to a cool or lukewarm shower post-flight then you'll be absolutely fine."
Puffiness in the ankles and feet is common after air travel, and hot water can make this worse by causing blood vessels to expand further. Aeroplane cabins are extremely dry and can leave travellers feeling dehydrated. This happens because the low humidity levels cause the air to suck moisture from our skin, lips and eyes.
Scorching showers also strip natural oils from the skin, which can worsen dryness or irritation after a flight. Long periods of sitting and alterations in cabin pressure can lead to poor circulation. Hot showers, which dilate blood vessels, can also lower blood pressure.
Boiling hot showers can mess with your sleep cycle, especially if you're already dealing with jet lag. The hot water raises your body's core temperature, which can make you feel more awake. Taking a hot shower after an evening flight can interfere with your body's natural cooling process that signals it's time to sleep.