Using rice water for hair has been an ancient home remedy to beautify the hair and promote a healthy scalp. Going back in time, it all started when a special tribe of Chinese women called “Red Yao” used fermented rice water for hair to wash and nourish foot-length black mane. Well, over the centuries this age-old home remedy is not a secret anymore but a beauty trend in itself
So, are you ready to discover the amazing benefits of rice water for hair? Scroll through to uncover the many uses and different ways to cook rice water for hair.
Benefits of Rice Water for Hair
Applying rice water for hair strengthens the roots, imparts shine, and supports healthy hair growth. It is one of the simplest home remedies for hair care you can ask for. Given below are the primary rice water benefits for hair that will make you want to try it right away:
Rice Water for Strong & Healthy Hair
Rice water contains 70-80 per cent of starch levels rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals that coat the hair shaft to impart strength and boost thickness. Using it consistently, helps you attain a voluminous, thick and healthy hair mane.
Rice Water for Hair Growth
Packed with a slew of hair-beneficiary elements including vitamin E, amino acids, minerals and protein, rice water for hair encourages healthy hair growth. It provides the necessary hair nutrients to nourish the hair follicles and improve hair density.
Rice Water to Detangle Hair
Rice water acts as a natural hair conditioner to restore lost moisture, remove frizz, and help detangle the hair easily. It is a touted hair care remedy to seal the split ends, improve hydration levels, and increase hair manageability while preventing hair damage or breakage.
Rice Water for Shiny Hair
Enriched with loads of antioxidants, minerals, and amino acids, using rice water for hair revives rough hair into smooth and gorgeously flowing strands. The antioxidants repair the damaged hair ends and add shine to the lifeless hair locks.
Rice Water for Dandruff
Boiled rice water for hair has a natural tendency to inhibit the growth of fungi and cure scalp dryness, and itchiness thereby preventing dandruff. It is an effective scalp care treatment to restore moisture balance, soothe inflammation, and protect it against the harmful effects of urban pollutants and heat damage.
Rice Water for Grey Hair
Fermented rice water for hair is highly potent with minerals and antioxidants that add a protective layer to your hair shaft against environmental stressors and sun damage. It keeps your hair satiated for moisturisation and helps prevent premature greying of hair.
How To Make Rice Water for Hair?
The difficult part about following this beauty trend is to make rice water for hair. Fret not, here’s a short guide on simple ways to make rice water for hair.
Soaked Rice Water for Hair
The easiest and most instant way to prepare rice water for hair is to soak uncooked rice. Here’s how to make it:
How to Make It on Hair
- Take 1 cup of uncooked rice.
- Rinse it thoroughly under a faucet.
- Place the rice into a small bowl.
- Add 2-3 cups of water.
- Let it soak for 30 minutes
- Strain the rice water and collect it into a spray bottle.
How to Apply It on Hair
You can use soaked rice water as a natural hair conditioner. After 20 minutes, rinse it off with cool water. This method works excellent to easily detangle the hair locks leaving you with a soft, shiny and luscious mane.
Boiled Rice Water for Hair
This is another simple method to make rice water for hair. Here’s the step-by-step process you need to follow:
How to Make It
- Take ½ cup of uncooked rice and rinse thoroughly.
- Place it in a bowl and add 3 cups of water to it.
- Cook the rice in boiling water.
- Sieve the rice and separate the starchy rice water into a container.
- Refrigerate and store it for up to 1 week.
How to Apply It on Hair
You can spray the cooked rice water to your scalp section-wise to cure dandruff as well as treat dry & itchy scalp. Leave it for 15 minutes and then wash your scalp properly with cool water.
Fermented Rice Water for Hair
Fermented rice water takes longer than the usual process of preparing rice water. Follow these steps to prepare the highly-nutritious fermented rice water:
How to Make It
- Take 1 cup of uncooked rice.
- Rinse it thoroughly under running water.
- Add 2 cups of distilled water.
- Leave it for 30 minutes and ensure to stir it every 5-7 minutes.
- Strain the rice water into a clean bottle.
- Leave it open at room temperature for 2 days.
- You will experience a mild sour smell indicating fermentation.
- Store & refrigerate it for up to one week.
Fermented rice water is highly potent for direct use. Firstly, shampoo your hair & scalp. Dilute the fermented rice water in distilled water and pour it into your hair and scalp. Massage it for 3-4 minutes and let it sit for 20 minutes. Cleanse your hair thoroughly with lukewarm water. This method is very effective to encourage hair growth, prevent greying, and improve hair texture.
How to Apply It
Fermented rice water is highly potent for direct use. Firstly, shampoo your hair & scalp. Dilute the fermented rice water in distilled water and pour it into your hair and scalp. Massage it for 3-4 minutes and let it sit for 20 minutes. Cleanse your hair thoroughly with lukewarm water. This method is very effective to encourage hair growth, prevent greying, and improve hair texture.
How to Use Rice Water on Hair
Now that you know the secret recipe to make rice water for hair, let’s discuss some of the natural ways on how to apply rice water for hair:
Rice Water Rinse for Hair
Take 1 cup of fermented rice water and 1 cup of distilled water into it. Wash your hair with a mild shampoo and use the diluted rice water to rinse your hair. Massage it for 2-3 minutes onto your scalp and let it sit for 15 minutes. Rinse your hair with cool water.
Rice Water As Hair Mask
Shampoo and condition your hair as you normally do. Take 1 cup of soaked rice water (depending on your hair length) and apply it as a hair mask. Cover your hair with a shower cap and allow it to do its magic for 30 minutes. Wash it off using plain water and towel dry your hair.
Rice Water As Natural Conditioner
Cleanse your hair with a mild clarifying shampoo. Apply and emulsify soaked rice water to damp hair. Let it sit for 20 minutes. Rinse your hair with cool water. This method helps close the open hair cuticles and smoothen your hair strands.
Plain Rice Water Vs Fermented Rice Water – Which Is More Effective?
A scientific study claims that fermented rice water is highly-concentrated with antioxidants and minerals compared to plain rice water. This makes fermented rice water more effective and potent compared to using plain rice water for hair care treatment.
Side Effects of Rice Water on Hair
Unfortunately, this nutrition-rich rice water might not turn out to be a ‘hero’ for every hair type. Excessive use of rice water for hair can result in protein overload on the hair shafts and scalp build-up causing hair damage, breakage, and dryness. Uneven application of rice water on hair results in inconsistent nourishment throughout the hair locks and thereby causing brittle and dry hair. It is important to be wise and limit the use of rice water once or twice a week for sustainable benefits.
FAQs
Is rice water good for your hair?
Enriched with antioxidants and amino acids, rice water is good for your hair. It helps you to attain a stronger, smoother and healthier mane while preventing hair damage and hair loss.
Can I use rice water on my hair every day?
Trichologists advise using rice water spray for hair at most twice a week. If you’re a curly hair type with low hair porosity or dry scalp, try it once and see how it works for your hair.
How long should I leave rice water on my hair?
You can leave rice water on your hair for about 20-30 minutes based on convenience.
Does rice water help grow more hair?
Yes, rice water is a great home remedy to strengthen the roots, nourish the hair cuticles, and encourage healthy hair growth.
How long can I store rice water?
You can refrigerate and store rice water for up to 1 week and not beyond that. If it starts smelling sour or unpleasant, discard it immediately.
Can rice water be left on your hair overnight?
No, leaving rice water on your hair overnight can make your hair coarse, brittle and stiff making it prone to breakage.
How often should I apply rice water on my hair?
You can apply rice water on your hair once or twice a week for the best results.
Conclusion
Rice water for hair works miraculously well to give you an envious-looking mane. No wonder, it has become one of the buzzing beauty rituals! What’s more, emerging beauty brands are into formulating hair care products infused with the goodness of rice water.
I think we have brought you enough reasons to inculcate this extraordinary ingredient in your hair care routine.
The magic of rice water is not just limited to hair. You can also read about the impressive beauty benefits of rice water for skin.