Does rice water really grow hair?
Rice water for hair has been trending quite a lot lately. It’s an age-old skincare and hair care ingredient that has been around for ages in a village in China, Honglao. Specifically, Yao women used to rinse their hair with rice water, and they’ve been winning the Guinness Book of World Records for having the longest (more than 6 ft) thickest healthiest hair even past their 60s.
Don’t be misled into thinking that rice water is going to regrow your hair. One potential way that it could help is by anti-inflammatory compounds, which can help reduce irritation on the scalp. Inflammation and irritation can contribute to the process of hair loss. It basically just strengthens your existing hair, reduces breakage and creates volumizing effect. It coats the hair so much that the hair looks thick, and it creates this illusion of increased hair density to a certain extent. Rice water acts as a conditioner, strengthening and volumizing hair and above all it’s not irritating and well tolerated.
What exactly is in rice water?
The most obvious ingredient in rice water is starch, which can coat the hair shaft, making it shiny and glossy, and it also can help hydrate the hair shaft and not only the hair but the scalp itself.
Benefits of rice water for hair
- Instant volume: It is rich in starch which coats hair to give that instant appearance of increased fullness.
- Less hair friction: In 2010, the journal of cosmetic chemists had an article that summarized the benefits of using rice water, and according to this article, because of the presence of a carbohydrate inositol in the rice water, there is decreased hair friction and increased hair elasticity that results in healthier, shinier hair.
- Rich in anti-oxidants,: It is also rich in antioxidants vitamin B and vitamin E which is very helpful for hair to fight free radical damage which can contribute to split ends dullness breakage etc.
- Rich in amino acids ;It is also rich in amino acids and minerals, with amino acids being the building blocks of protein, which can definitely help with hair health to support firmer, healthier hair and to strengthen hair strands. You will see amino acids as ingredients in strengthening shampoos and conditioners, so boom, you have it there in rice water as well, and those amino acids also help to add shine and smoothness to the hair and kind of help with reducing frizz, especially after shampooing.
- Rich in vitamin A and E: Rice water also has vitamins A and E, which can help not only in hair shaft hydration but also in manageability and reducing frizz beyond strengthening your hair shafts and helping volumizing roots. Rice water, also through these ingredients, can help mend split ends very well.
Side effects of using rice water for hair
Protein overload: the biggest side effect is that if you have very dry, brittle, curly, frizzy, low-porosity hair, it can cause brittleness and hair breakage. It’s because hair goes into protein overload, which can cause the crisping and the brittleness of hair, even though it does give stronger, firmer hair. But if you have low porosity hair and the cuticle is very, very firm and unable to absorb what’s coming in, it can sit on the hair shaft, leading to buildup and causing it to break over time, so be careful because if you overdo it, you can actually get hair breakage, and so moderation and trying to find your balance is key.
How to use rice water for your hair care routine?
I would recommend starting out and doing it once or twice a month at most to see how your hair responds to it.
How to prepare rice water for hair?
Take half a cup of rice; white rice is better than brown rice. The starchier the rice, the better; it doesn’t matter any type of white rice would work. Wash it thoroughly twice and then soak it in two to three cups of warm water for approximately 30 minutes, and then filter out the rice and collect the water. Now you can use this or leave it at room temperature for 2 days to ferment; it can get quite pungent and stinky, and then use it. You don’t want to keep it beyond two to three days, so make sure that you use it right away.
The fermentation method actually has the advantage that it enriches the rice water with antioxidants, which help in combating free radical damage on the scalp and reducing inflammation.
Also, this method acidifies the rice water, making it more compatible with the pH of the scalp, so this is actually better.
So pour this water on your hair after shampoo, massage it into your scalp, and let it sit on there for approximately five to ten minutes, and then rinse it off.
And please don’t throw away the rice; cook it and eat it.
Important
Bear in mind there is zero data for using rice water to actually grow hair, so if you are somebody who has pattern hair loss or hair loss related to either genetics or maybe some underlying medical condition, please do not be misled into thinking that rice water is going to fix it and regrow your hair.
However, rice water has a ton of compounds and active ingredients that are actually very good for not only your hair but for scalp. As a matter of fact, many of the compounds in rice water you will find in tons of products over the counter that are marketed for thickening and increasing volume, so it’s worth a shot, and there’s no wastage as well.
FAQs
Does rice water make hair grow?
Rice water doesn’t make hair grow, although it strengthens and gives shine to hair but doesn’t help in hair growth.
What type of rice should I use for making rice water?
As long as they’re white rice, any type can be used.
Can I apply rice water daily?
Rice water shouldn’t be applied daily as it can make hair dry and brittle due to product buildup.
Can I leave rice water in my hair overnight?
It’s better to wash it off after leaving it in hair for 20 min. think of it as using it as a conditioner.
I am a dentist, baker, and fitness and health enthusiast with a passion for living life to the fullest. I am foodie and explorer, always seeking new adventures and flavors. Currently working on my own skincare brand.
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[…] you’re interested in knowing if rice water is effective for hair growth, then please read The Truth About Rice Water for Hair Growth – Benefits, Myths, and Tips which I’ve previously shared at […]