Water Temperature "Degree": Why Does High Temperature Cause Rubber Tips to Soften or Hair to Crack? Water temperature between 40°C and 50°C causes keratin gel to soften and slip off, while forcibly stretching the cuticle and causing dryness. 1. Warm water shampoo: Use water at 35-37°C close to body temperature throughout the process. 2. Heat protection at the roots: Do not use hot water to rinse the contacts. 3. Cold water finish: Rinse the middle and lower sections of hair with cold water to physically close the cuticles.