RICE WATER FOR THE HAIR: HOW DOES IT WORK?
Rice is one of the most overlooked natural beauty products out there. Contrary to popular belief, the grain isn't just for eating - it has major haircare benefits too. The craze blew up on TikTok with natural hair influencers raving about the benefits of rice water for hair, where even celebrities like Cardi B and Kim Kardashian swear by it.
The original rice water hack involves rinsing or spraying hair with water that's been soaking in a bowl of rice, with products emerging that let you skip the DIY element of this trendy treatment. But the real question is: Does this rice water trick actually help your hair grow thicker and longer?
WHAT IS RICE WATER?
Rice water is a cloudy liquid made by soaking rice for a few hours. For generations, Chinese women have used unpolished rice water as a daily skin toner and a hair rinse.
In recent times, professional beauticians and scienticists have been fascinated by the technique and its amazing benefits. Rice water is found to be rich in a large variety of nutrients such as amino acids, vitamins B and E, other beneficial minerals, and antioxidants.
Because rice grains have a high starch content and are packed with amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, this goodness saturates the water when soaked. When massaged into your hair and scalp, these ingredients pack a potent punch of healthy and moisturizing properties seeping into the hair and. The starch from the rice coats hair strands, giving the hair a thickening effect. This starchy coating can also be attributed for the extra body, shine, and de-frizzing effect that your hair will get after using the rice water rinse.
BENEFITS OF RICE WATER
The proteins in rice water strengthen damaged hair shafts and keep it healthy. It locks your hair’s soft and shiny look, whilst also stimulating hair growth all at the same time.
It also helps to remove dandruff, give vitality, and significantly improves its appearance, giving your hair a whole new look.
As the hair grows smoother, it also helps with detangling strands and protecting it from any future damage.
Any treatment stimulates blood flow to the scalp and clarifies dirt and buildup will eventually lead to longer hair. Whether it's a rice water rinse or scalp scrub, healthy hair begins at the scalp.
HOW TO PREPARE RICE WATER
INGREDIENTS:
1 CUP (128 GRAMS) OF RICE
1 CUP (236ML) OF WATER
STEP 1
Rinse the rice and strain to remove the water
STEP 2
Add the rice and water to a bowl, and let it sit for several hours or more.
STEP 3
Strain the rice,and keep the water that is left over in the bowl.
STEP 4
Put the rice water in a glass far, cover it with a lid and let it sit at room temperature for 12 -24 hours. This will allow fermentation to take place.
STEP 5
Once fermented, put the jar in the refrigerator.USE IT WITHIN ONE WEEK.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I USE RICE WATER?
Rice water can be used as a final rinse in your regular shampoo/conditioner routine or a mask to be left in for 2-5 minutes. Depending on your type of hair, how often you use rice water varies with your hair-washing schedule.
However, it is important to be wary of what can happen if you do this too often. because of its large amount of nutrients, you can cause a 'protein overload', making your hair dry and brittle (the opposite of what its function is).
Begin by only using the rice water twice a week and monitoring how your hair feels. If it's still feeling dry, cut down usage to once a week and add conditioner before the rice water for extra moisture. Increase usage slowly, until you find the right balance for your hair.
