Can Rice Water Make Your Hair Stronger and Shinier?

It’s often the little things that we tend to overlook — especially when it comes to beauty. We’re drawn to the glitz, the glam, and the clever marketing materials. But what if I told you there’s an amazing beauty product sitting in your cupboard right now?

Using rice water to strengthen and beautify hair isn’t new. It dates back to the ancient Heian period in Japan when court ladies were known to have beautiful, long hair that draped to the floor. Their secret was rice water.

One of the best parts about this beauty product is that it’s so easy to make. All you need is rice and water. The “hardest” part of this beauty trend is actually remembering to take the rice water into your shower, and evenly apply it to your hair. But don’t worry, I figured out a great method you can try.

How rice water help hair growth?

The amino acids present in rice water, in particular, help in the regeneration of hair and aid faster growth of your hair. Also, rice water contains vitamins B, C, and E, which further help in hair growth. 

It also contains trace elements – potassium, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, manganese and a lot of fiber. This is a real treasure trove of nutrients that nourish the follicles and repair damaged cells.

Due to the fact that rice water has antioxidant properties, it helps to get rid of toxins that could accumulate in the scalp, thereby preventing premature alopecia and gray hair.

Benefits

Advocates of using rice water for hair believe it:

• detangles the hair
• makes hair smoother
• increases shine
• makes hair stronger
• helps hair grow long

How to make rice water for hair at home?

There are several different ways to make rice water, including

Soaked rice water for hair

Soaking is the quickest way to make rice water. This method will appeal to those who are very busy and don’t have much time.

To use this method:

• take ½ cup of uncooked rice
• rinse thoroughly
• place rice in a bowl with 2–3 cups of water
• leave to soak for 30 minutes
• strain the rice water into a clean bowl

Boiling rice water for hair: 

• Another way to make rice water is by boiling the rice.
• Cover ½ cup of rice with double the water typically used for cooking. Cook the rice in boiling water and strain the rice water into a clean bowl before use.
• This is a concentrated liquid that you can dilute before rinsing the hair. The concentration of dilution depends on the hair length and greasiness. Usually, it’s 1:10. The oilier the hair is, the lower the concentration should be.

Fermented rice water for hair:

• take 2 cups of rice; add 2 times more water to it;
• leave the rice to soak for 20-30 minutes;
• pour the water into a glass bottle, seal it and leave in a dark place at room temperature for 2 days;
• when a sour smell appears, stop fermentation and put it in a fridge to preserve all the beneficial properties obtained during fermentation.

Fermented vs. plain rice water

Some rice water advocates claim fermented rice water has more benefits than plain rice water.

According to a 2012 study, fermented substances have a higher amount of antioxidants. Antioxidants may combat hair and skin cell damage, which is why they are typical ingredients in beauty products.

To ferment rice water, follow steps 1–4 of the soaking method. Before straining, leave the rice water to stand at room temperature for up to 2 days, allowing it to ferment. Strain the rice water into a clean bowl before use.

How to use rice water for hair:

You won’t need to change your washing schedule around your rice water rinse — simply use it after shampooing and conditioning, whether that’s once a day or once a week.

When applying the rice water, try to really focus in on your scalp and work your way out. Let it sit for two to five minutes, and then rinse. You’ll probably notice immediately how strong and thick your hair feels.

The results

Here’s my experience using a rice water rinse.

After one minute:

My hair already felt different. It seemed to have some sort of outer coating, or a thin shell, around each strand, protecting my hair as I brushed through it. Usually, my hair is breaking as I work my detangling brush through my hair. But this time, my hair held its own.

After one day:

The morning after my first rice water rinse, my best friend told me that my hair looked brighter and blonder.

After one week (approximately four washes):

My hair felt thicker, fuller, and more manageable. I experimented with blow-drying my hair, which I NEVER do because of the instantly broken flyaways that usually frame my head immediately afterward.

Note:

Although the magical properties of rice water seem endless, there is one thing to look out for. Be sure to rinse off the rice water thoroughly, and not to overdue it, as the abundance of protein in the water may actually dry out your hair if not enough moisture is provided. 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.