Ask The Doc: Will I Catch A Cold With Wet Hair?

The Doctor is in…. Sure, you could self-diagnose or Google image search your symptoms, but why induce paralyzing panic when Vv Magazine’s very own medical expert, The Doctor, can demystify your dumbest, scariest, grossest medical questions? He’s got the useful 21st century advice and lifestyle tips for any self-respecting hypochondriac. And, yes, he is a real doctor – not one of those phonies from an arts phD program. The Doctor specializes in infectious diseases, sexual health, and keeping it real. Send him your health questions to info@viewthevibe.com.

This week, The Doctor tackles a long-standing myth: Will I Catch A Cold With Wet Hair?

Hi Doc,

This isn’t exactly a life-threatening question, but given that I’ve grown out my hair (and – don’t judge – am rocking a man-bun most days), it just occurred to me in recent bloody freezing weeks that leaving my apartment with wet hair in the morning isn’t exactly the greatest idea. It used to dry enough in time before I left my apartment when it was shorter, and I’m not down with the static electricity-inspired look that blowdryers often give my now shoulder-length ‘do. Does that mean I have to choose between washing my hair at night and risking illness en route to work with wet hair? Is there any truth to the idea that leaving the house with wet hair will make me catch a cold? I’m not signing my name to this email, so please allow me to keep my anonymity if you end up answering this question. My man-bun alone—I assume – will keep people guessing whether this question came from me, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jared Leto, or – you know — Mickey Rourke. Thanks.

Yours truly,
-Long-Haired Winter Woes

Hi Long-Haired Winter Woes,

While I semi-respect your to decision to rock a man-bun, I’d advise you to stop perpetuating old wives’ tales immediately unless your sartorial goal is to look more mousy librarian than you do ‘60s rock god. I’m not exactly a fashion editor – more of an actual doctor, to be quite frank – but I’d venture to guess that part of the stylistic success of a good-looking man-bun comes from having the type of bold, rule-breaking confidence to pull it off. If you’re licking your finger and testing the wind before you go outside, you’ve clearly failed in this regard.

But back to, um, medicine. No matter how cold you are and – yes – leaving your house with wet hair will obviously make you experience the sheer physical agony of our great Canadian winters more so than if you left without sopping strands of dead cells sticking to the side of your head – you can’t catch a cold from being cold. You can only catch viruses from coming into contact with viruses. Go figure. That said, stay outside long enough with wet hair in minus 20 degree weather, and you’ll obviously get frostbite or even die — but hopefully I don’t need to tell you that. If blowdryers aren’t your thing and you don’t like to shower at night – which I get, but then again I don’t have a man-bun to consider – why not just invest in a toque and a bus pass? Just an idea. I don’t think a frozen dustball on the top of your head is a look that’s going to get you on any “street style” best-dressed lists… but then again, I’m no fashion editor.

May the warmth be with you, and also with your man-bun,

The Doc

If you liked “Ask the Doctor: Will I Catch A Cold With Wet Hair” by Vv Magazine’s The Doctor, be sure to read his sound advice for Canadians Getting The Flu Shot!