[a2tech]

It certainly discourages lingering in the shower. When I was doing it (cold tap open, no hot water at all, Michigan, winter) when that water hit you you definitely moved quickly. With hot showers 20 minutes isn't uncommon if I'm tired and enjoying the hot water in the winter. With cold showers...5 minutes from turning on the faucet to hopping out. I never noticed any reduction in my cleanliness, but what I absolutely noticed was an improvement in my skin. Hot showers in a dry environment like a Michigan winter leads to very dry and cracked skin. With cold showers my skin was in much better shape. No cracking, no flaking.