Rice Water: Is it actually good for your hair?

Soaking hair in rice water is an age-old hair and beauty ritual that has been used throughout Asia for centuries. The starchy water is supposed to strengthen follicles, encourage faster growth and leave your locks feeling smooth and silky. Thanks to the superpower of social media, Rice water has quickly become a viral sensation that many of us are curious about. Thanks to rice water benefits, you'll be sure to save hundreds on trips to the salon! 

Is this just another fad that will fade away as soon as the next technique comes along? Or is there actually scientific proof that rice water is good for your hair? 

1. How to Make Rice Water for Hair Growth

Rice water is the cloudy, starchy water that is left after cooking or soaking rice. To prepare the water for a rice water rinse, simply soak rice in hot or cold water for 30 minutes then strain. Be sure to keep the water that the rice was soaked in! There is no evidence that cooked rice water is more effective than uncooked rice water, so either will work. 

It would seem that fermented rice water has the best effect. Wondering how to make fermented rice water for hair? If you have the time, leave your rice to soak for 1-2 days for the best result. As the rice will soak up a lot of the water you may want to add more the longer you soak!

2. Benefits of Rice Water on Hair

Nutrients Found in Rice Water

Rice Water benefits stem from their impressive molecular makeup. These are the key nutrients and minerals found in rice water:

• Anti-Oxidants
• Vitamin B
• Vitamin E
• Pitera

Each of these nutrients provide valuable benefits to the hair in different ways.

Anti-Oxidants are essential for the survival of living things as they fight against unwanted nasties in the environment. There are lots of harmful elements that come into contact with our hair the moment we step outside. From man made chemicals to environmental damage the war against our precious locks is endless! Enriching your hair with Anti-Oxidants is a great way to protect and reinforce your delicate hair follicles, this will make the hair stronger and less likely to break.

Vitamin B and E are found in multiple food sources. They help the body to build immunity, fight off illness and strengthen the eyes and skin. There is scientific evidence that shows a link between deficiency in B vitamins and hair loss. The result? Exposing the hair to this vitamin should increase hair growth and nourish your locks. Just remember to keep eating healthily!

Pitera is a liquid made from fermented yeast (rice water), and is packed full of amino acids. This ingredient is used widely in skin care products all over the world, with treasured properties proven to reduce wrinkles and dark spots. A rice water rinse is thought to promote smooth and shiny locks enriched with natural nutrients.

3. How to Apply Rice Water on Hair

How Long Should I leave Rice Water in My Hair?

1. Wash your hair with your normal shampoo and rinse thoroughly.
2. Pat your hair dry with a clean towel.
3. Pour the room temperature rice water onto the hair, you can also fill a spray bottle and spray into the hair if you would prefer. Make sure the hair is completely saturated.
4. Massage the Rice Water into the hair and scalp.
5. Leave on the hair for 30-60 minutes allowing the rice water to penetrate the hair shaft. This is the perfect opportunity to catch up on your favourite box-set!
6. Rice Water Rinse! Rinse the hair thoroughly with tepid water, you can add a final cool rinse at the end to lock in the shine.
7. Its up to you if you would like to condition your hair after this process or leave it as it is. From our research most people do not condition the hair after. 

4. How Often Should I Use Rice Water on My Hair?

We suggest using Rice Water in the same way you would a strong conditioning treatment.

These types of hair treatments are not recommended for daily use but rather a weekly or fortnightly basis. If you are choosing not to condition your hair after this process, we would advise only performing a rice water rinse every other time you wash your hair. This way your cuticles are still receiving the moisture they need.

A downfall to using Rice Water rather than a standard conditioner or Specialised hair strengthening treatment is the smell. Obviously, Rice has not been formulated to have a attractive and enticing aroma like most hair products. The smell can be a little unpleasant to sensitive noses!

Once rinsed the smell does fade off. Be sure to use a Moisture Spray or leave in conditioning cream after the treatment to disguise any unwanted leftover scent if you are still unhappy. 

5. Rice Water in Hair : Conclusion

Fortunately, scientific evidence suggests that there is truth in this new hair trend, and proven rice water benefits have propelled the humble grain to infamy!

The ingredients found in Rice Water - namely “Pitera” - are widely used in other beauty products to prevent aging and smooth skin. It's unsurprising that its used worldwide to add sumptuous smooth and shine to the hair. The other minerals are super useful in helping your hair maintain its strength, to promote hair growth and fight off signs of damage. We would recommend trying Rice Water as a treatment every second or third wash of your hair until you find a schedule that suits your hair type.

We’d LOVE to hear your experience with Rice Water, head over to our Instagram page and get involved on our story! 

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