Rice water is the liquid left after soaking, boiling, or fermenting rice in water. This starch-filled liquid is usually strained and discarded, but it is an incredible recipe for repairing dull and damaged hair. It is loaded with vital nutrients such as amino acids, vitamins B and E, essential minerals, and antioxidants that support hair growth and shine. Due to these qualities, rice water is good for hair and has been known to be an effective and affordable remedy for hair care.
Read the following article on the benefits of rice water for hair growth and how to make different types of rice water at home. Take a look.
How Does Rice Water Help in Hair Growth?
The benefits of using rice water on hair can help you get thicker locks in the following ways:
- Nourishes the Scalp: The nutrients present in the rice water nourish scalp cells and hair follicles. This is how rice water helps in hair growth.
- Promotes Cell Regeneration: Rice water is enriched with antioxidants and proteins that promote cellular turnover of the scalp and help grow healthy hair.
- Reduces Scalp Inflammation: The antioxidant content in the rice water combats cellular damage and prevents any chances of inflammation. People who have inflammatory scalp conditions like psoriasis and dandruff can also benefit from omega-3 capsules used with rice water. This will enhance scalp nourishment and promote a healthy environment for hair growth.
- Improves Hair Elasticity and Texture: The proteins and fats in the rice water hydrate hair strands and improve their texture. With consistent topical use, you can expect improved hair elasticity, which is one of the benefits of rice water for hair.
How to Prepare and Use Rice Water for Hair?
There are three types of rice water that you can use for hair care and reap the benefits of using rice water on hair.
Simple Steps to Prepare Rice Water
1. Soaking Method
It is the quickest and most straightforward method to prepare rice water. All you have to do is soak some rice in water for 20-30 minutes. Then, strain the water and your rice water is ready.
2. Boiling Method
It is the water left from boiling rice. Take rice and boil it in water on a high flame. Let the rice cook until tender. Strain the cloudy, thick water in a clean container. You can dilute this concentrated liquid with water to make a natural rinse for hair.
3. Fermentation Method
It is plain rice water that is left to ferment before use. Take some rice and soak it in plain water for 30 minutes. Strain the water in a clean container and store it at room temperature for 24 to 48 hours. When you smell it turning sour, it is ready. Place the jar in the refrigerator. Various hair supplements, shampoos, and conditioners use this formula of fermented rice water. This water can also be used on skin to get Korean glass skin. Use it in conjunction with hair and skin supplements to boost antioxidant activity and get healthy and nourished skin and hair.
Applying Rice Water to Your Hair
You can choose to make rice water in any way you like. After it is done, it can be used as a rinse or mask. Here are the steps for each:
Rise Water Rinse
- Add rice water in a mug and stir two to three drops of essential oil (lavender oil, rosemary oil, jasmine oil) to make it smell nice.
- Pour this liquid on your freshly washed hair and let it stay for 5 to 20. You can massage rice water on your hair and scalp thoroughly.
- Rinse your hair with plain water. Repeat it twice a week to make your hair smooth and shiny.
Rice Water Mask
- Make a hair mask by mixing fermented water with mustard powder.
- Mix one tablespoon of jojoba oil, coconut oil, or olive oil into it.
- Apply this paste as a mask to your hair and keep it on for 15-20 minutes.
- Rinse it off with mild shampoo to remove the oiliness.
Now, scroll to the next section to explore the possible advantages and disadvantages of using rice water on hair.
Rice Water Benefits for Hair
Various hair care products are formulated with rice water these days. What is so special about this common cooking leftover? Well, let’s find out how rice water is good for hair and learn if there are any rice water disadvantages.
Advantages of Rice Water for Hair
- Improves Elasticity: Hair loses elasticity when it is dry and lacks enough keratin—using rice water for hair benefits you with improved hair elasticity and reduced breakage and split ends. If you are experiencing brittle hair, you can also take marine collagen, which is proven to boost hair elasticity and prevent breakage, enhancing scalp health.
- Reduces Frizz: Rice water for hair is deeply moisturizing, making it a perfect remedy for sealing moisture in your hair strands and reducing frizz. As a result, you get glossy hair and less flyaways.
- Enhances Smoothness: Using rice water for hair seals the cuticle unevenness and makes hair appear healthier, smoother, and shinier. Leaving it on for 20 minutes can give priceless results without side effects.
- Improves Hair Strength: Rice water is packed with vitamins C, B, and E, which are linked with better hair strength and yield faster growth. Moreover, it contains amino acids that nourish hair follicles. So, this is how rice water helps in hair growth and increases healthy hair density.
Disadvantages of Rice Water for Hair
- Unpleasant Odor: Rice water, especially fermented, can have a strong, off putting smell, as one of the minor rice water disadvantages. Avoid this by adding fragrant essential oils to the rice water.
- Temporary Results: Some benefits of rice water for hair, such as frizz control and increased hair shine, are only temporary. The moment you wash it off, the results fade away. Therefore, using it regularly (or alternate days) is recommended for consistent benefits.
- Protein Overload: Rice water contains a high concentration of protein content in it. It can lead to protein overload, making your hair dull, dry, and brittle. Make sure to dilute it a little when using it frequently to prevent these disadvantages of rice water.
Is Rice Water Good for All Hair Types?
Now that we have covered the good and bad of rice water let’s check who can use it based on their hair types:
- Rice water is suitable for oily, dull & dry, and normal hair types.
- If you have low-porosity hair, refrain from using rice water, as this type of hair is sensitive to protein.
- If you still want to use rice water, you can do so by mixing it with other ingredients like therapeutic essential oils, hydrating oils, and more to make a remedy that fixes your hair concerns.
Conclusion
Rice water is good for hair. It is an excellent home remedy for addressing hair concerns such as dryness, split ends, breakage, and stunted hair growth. There are many advantages and disadvantages of using rice water on hair. You can use this liquid as a conditioning rinse or mix herbal ingredients to make a hair mask. It is natural, effective, and takes little effort to make. However, overusing can lead to protein overdose in your hair and the scalp. To improve the hair care results, you can pair up the rice water use with hair supplements like hair growth tablets and multivitamin tablets that are enriched with hair-friendly nutrients like biotin, keratin, vitamins (B &E), minerals like zinc, and more for maximum results. Finally, consult a doctor for personalized hair care recommendations.
Sources
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352561846_A_FORMULATION_OF_FACE_PACK_AND_HAIR_PRODUCTS_OF_RICE_WATER_FOR_THE_USE_OF_SKIN_AND_HAIR_PROBLEM
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35133117/
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