If you are a regular rice eater, you have probably been discarding a potential post-meal beauty treatment every day. We are talking about rice water. This cloudy water that seems purposeless actually overflows with more nutrients than your one whole meal could offer. We are not kidding.
Sure, starchy rice water doesn’t sound fun to consume but, when fed to your tresses, the results can be surprisingly good too. Keep scrolling to feel convinced.
Benefits Of Rice Water For Hair
- Rice grains are saturated with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and amino acids. Thus, when they are soaked in water, they supercharge the water and create the perfect recipe for stronger and healthier hair.
- The high starch content (60-70%) in rice envelopes thin hair strands and makes them thicker while contributing to the overall body of the hair.
- Colored your hair countless times? Rice water to the rescue! The nutrients in rice water promote elasticity, reduce breakage, and reduce friction. In other words, healthier tresses.
- The antioxidants in rice water bolster cell regeneration combat damage induced by environmental aggressors (sun, dust, pollution, etc.) and prevent premature greying of hair.
- Any girl with curly hair is more acquainted with frizz than any other. Rice water is packed with amino acids that bind hair strands and nourishes them from within to pave the way for frizz-free and silkier hair. Yes, this means less appearance of detangled and knotty strands.
- Good hair begins with a well-nourished scalp. Rice water treatment infuses scalp with a load of vitamins and minerals thus, encouraging a healthier scalp with nourished follicles. Needless to say, when the hair follicles are happier, hair growth is accelerated.
- Inflamed scalp? Rice water is known to be packed with soothing agents that can calm irritated scalp while restoring nutrients.
- If your hair lacks lustre and seems crowded with split ends, it’s a cry for help. Rice water rinse is one of the easiest ways to boost hydration and bring back life to dull and damaged strands.
Side Effects Of Rice Water On Hair
- The very strength of rice water can also prove to be a drawback. Rice water is highly saturated with large protein molecules which could block the absorption of moisture in your strands. This is nothing but protein overload. So, if you have dry scalp or low porosity hair (tightly bound cuticles), it is recommended to limit rice water rinse to once every two weeks.
- Rice water especially when fermented for longer periods of time can start to smell bad. However, the key to avoid the smell is to ensure you don’t ferment the rice water beyond 24 hours and add a few drops of a sweet scented essential oil like Nykaa Naturals Rose Essential Oil when you rinse.
First Method: Soaking
Step 1: Rinse 1 cup of uncooked rice in water. Strain the rice to ensure all impurities are removed.
Step 2: Now, add this strained rice in a bowl of water. Cover it with a lid and let the rice soak in the water for at least 12 hours. The waiting is crucial to ferment the rice and to allow the nutrients to be released in the water.
Step 3: The bowl of water is now a nutrient-dense fermented rice water that can be used on your hair. Separate the rice by straining it and keeping it aside (for maybe cooking?).
Second Method: Boiling
Step 1: Boil 3 cups of water in a steel vessel.
Step 2: Thoroughly rinse ½ cup of uncooked rice grains to get rid of impurities and then add the rice to the boiling water.
Step 3: The rice should gradually cook after 10-15 minutes.
Step 4: Strain the rice water into a mug and allow it to attain room temperature before use.
Step 1: Wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner as usual.
Step 2: Rinse your hair thoroughly to get rid of any product residues.
Step 3: Now, pour fermented rice water on your scalp and along the lengths. Massage the solution into your scalp.
Step 4: After allowing it to sit for 15 minutes, rinse your hair with lukewarm water.
How Often To Apply: You can safely use rice water on hair two times a week.
Products Infused With Rice Water For Hair
We’ve rounded up the best rice water products to add to your hair care routine.
1. Wishcare Fermented Rice Water Shampoo
If rice water rinse at home is too much of an effort, you can swap your regular shampoo with the Wishcare Fermented Rice Water Shampoo. Fortified with the goodness of fermented rice water, this shampoo soothes the scalp while strengthening weak and brittle hair. Plus, the precious blend of ingredients penetrates through the hair shafts and protects your tresses from heat and UV damage. Even better? No traces of parabens and sulfates.
2. Globus Naturals Revitalizing Rice Water Shampoo
When a team of rice water, kokum butter and olive oil come together, the end result is shiny and voluminous hair. Globus Naturals Revitalizing Rice Water Shampoo offers exactly that: rice water aids hair regeneration; kokum butter stimulates follicles; and olive oil calms scalp irritation. Plus, this shampoo is also spiked with conditioning aloe vera to make smooth hair a reality.
3. WishCare Fermented Rice Water Hair Mask- Strength & Growth Formula - For Dry & Frizzy Hair
If you want a hair spa session at home with rice water as the hero ingredient, consider the WishCare Fermented Rice Water Hair Mask. Packed with fermented rice water, vitamin E, soy protein, coconut oil, and almond oil, this hydrating mask penetrates, moisturizes, renews, and softens dull, lifeless strands. The exotic mix of ingredients repair damaged strands and rejuvenates hair with every use.
4. Mamaearth Rice Water Conditioner With Rice Water And Keratin
Amino Acids pack a punch when it comes to strengthening weak hair, boosting elasticity and imparting shine.The Mamaearth Rice Water Conditioner With Rice Water And Keratin cleverly bottles the goodness of these proteins to offer a power-packed conditioner that restores vitality, shine, and smoothness. What makes it an even safer choice? The absence of mineral oil, dyes and parabens.
5. WishCare Fermented Rice Hair Growth Oil - Strength & Growth Formula - With Deep Root Hair Applicator
If your regular, greasy oil is not cutting it, it’s time to switch to a nutrient-rich oil with non-greasy formulation like the WishCare Fermented Rice Hair Growth Oil. Loaded with rice oil, virgin coconut oil, rosemary oil, argan oil, lavender oil, and green tea oil, this non-sticky and fast-absorbing oil can help improve your hair texture significantly. Oh and it comes with a built-in deep root hair applicator for mess-free application.
FAQs On Rice Water For Hair Growth
1. How long does it take for rice water to grow your hair?
The time it takes really depends on your hair type and the frequency of the rice water treatment. Following this treatment twice a week can help your hair grow by more inches that it does otherwise. The results may start to show after a few months.
2. What are the uses of rice water for hair?
Rice water accelerates hair growth, imparts shine, strengthens hair, and detangles hair. It is best used as a final rinse after your regular hair wash routine for exceptional results.
3. Can you leave rice water in your hair?
It is recommended to rinse your hair with water after 15-20 minutes of rice water application. Leaving it on for extremely long periods like a day or more can result in bacterial growth which can affect the scalp.
4. Does rice water go bad?
Yes. Since rice water is in its natural state with no preservatives, it can smell bad and turn stale if left for more than 48 hours. However, you can refrigerate the rice water if you wish to store it for 4-5 days before your next use. It is recommended though, to create a fresh batch of rice water that is fermented for upto 24 hours and used as a one time use.
