Experts warn against hot showers immediately after flying, cite skin and circulation risks

Health experts are warning holidaymakers that taking a hot shower immediately after a long flight could worsen skin dehydration and circulation problems caused by prolonged air travel.

A shower specialist at Vidalux.co.uk told the Mirror and was quoted in coverage by the Daily Mail that the low humidity inside aircraft cabins leaves skin dehydrated, and a hot shower can strip the body of natural oils and exacerbate that dryness. "After a flight our skin is already pretty dry and dehydrated from the low humidity in the plane," Andy Ellis said. "Taking a hot shower can worsen this feeling as the hot water will strip the body of its natural oils." He added that high temperatures can cause blood vessels to dilate, which may aggravate swelling and contribute to post-flight circulation issues, and recommended cool or lukewarm showers instead.

The warnings come alongside guidance from AXA Health physiotherapist Bethany Tomlinson about in-flight behaviour linked to clotting risk. Tomlinson advised passengers to avoid crossing their legs while seated, saying: "Avoid crossing your legs in your plane seat as this will impact blood flow and increase the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT)." She recommended keeping legs slightly elevated when possible, using a footrest, and altering seating posture to support the back and relax the shoulders.

Medical and travel specialists note that two common features of flying — low cabin humidity and prolonged immobility — can combine to produce discomfort. Low humidity contributes to skin dryness, while remaining seated for extended periods can lead to fluid pooling in the lower limbs and swelling. Heat from a hot shower may cause vasodilation, the widening of blood vessels, which can intensify swelling already present after a long flight.

Experts recommend measures to reduce discomfort and risk after flying. Those include taking cooler showers rather than hot ones to preserve skin oils and limit additional vasodilation, avoiding prolonged cross-legged sitting while in the cabin, and changing position or walking when safe and possible during the flight. Tomlinson also suggested using a footrest to keep legs slightly elevated and sitting back into the seat to support the back.

The advice does not say passengers must avoid showers entirely; rather, it emphasises temperature and posture choices that may lessen short-term skin and circulation effects associated with flying. The guidance was reported by the Daily Mail, citing comments published in the Mirror and statements from the named specialists.