Can you use rice water for hair growth? What is there to know about this remedy?
There are numerous hair products on the market today designed to help give your mane a beautiful and shiny look. However, many of them contain chemicals in them which can cause scalp irritations and even make your hair look terrible if not used correctly. Many also can’t be used on certain hair types which can make your search to find the right hair product a bit difficult to use.
If you’re on the search for a versatile and healthy hair product to use, you’ll want to check out rice water. This mixture is filled with proteins, vitamins, and amino acids which will work to keep your hair healthy while also giving it a beautiful look. To find out more about how rice water can help you and how you can use it on your hair.
What is Rice Water?
Rice water is exactly what its name implies – water that has rice starch in it. It has been used throughout time as a beauty practice to help keep hair healthy and shiny. This is due to the strong carbohydrates, amino acids, minerals, and Vitamin E which encourage strong and beautiful hair. After soaking the rice in the water for a bit, you can then pour this liquid over your hair and massage it in to reap its benefits.
The Benefits of Using Rice Water
Surprisingly, rice water is packed with benefits for your hair. Below are a few you’ll find when you use it.
It Heals Dandruff
Rice water can help to soothe inflammation which means it can help with healing dandruff. While it might take a little bit of time before your dandruff is completely gone, rice water will be able to help treat it naturally thanks to the selenium in the grains which destroys the bacteria that causes dandruff.
It Makes Hair Shiny
Another great benefit of rice water is that it can increase the shininess of hair. This is thanks to the high levels of Vitamin E in the grains which eventually soak into your hair to help give it a stunning shine.
It Can Encourage Hair Growth
Rice water works to help encourage circulation in the scalp which can lead to hair growth. The water will get absorbed into your scalp and hair which will encourage the cuticle and hair follicles to grow and stay strong.
It Can Stop Split Ends
The protein in rice is so powerful that it’s able to prevent and heal split ends. It can seal the hair pieces back together while also preventing the cuticle from stripping.
There Are High Levels of Vitamin E
Rice is packed with high levels of Vitamin E. This vitamin has a heavy amount of antioxidants to encourage hair growth and ensure you have a healthy scalp. It can also give you younger looking hair as it reduces oxidative stress. It can also help to hydrate and moisturize your scalp.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Using Rice Water on Your Hair
The Type of Rice
One thing you need to watch out for is the type of rice you plan to use. When making rice water, you should not invest in instant rice or other quick-cooking options as most of the important vitamins and minerals for hair growth have been taken out.
However, you can use most types of rice (white, brown, jasmine, etc.) for this purpose. You can also try red rice which contains many more minerals and vitamins in it compared to most rice types.
Fermented vs. Plain Rice Water
Another thing you’ll want to consider before you start to make your rice water is whether you want to make fermented or plain rice water.
Fermented rice water involves you fermenting the rice water after letting the grains soak in it. After you make your rice water, let the mixture sit in a dark area and let it ferment for a few days. By doing so, the fermentation will invite extra antioxidants into the water which can further help your hair and scalp health.
Plain rice water is just when you pour the rice into filtered water and let it soak. This allows the rice to naturally soak for a few hours before you rinse your hair and scalp with it.
Side-Effects of Rice Water
While rice water is generally safe to use, even on the most sensitive of skin, it could have some side-effects. One of the main ones to watch out for is sensitivity. While for most people this isn’t a problem, for some, the rice might cause a feeling of tenderness, especially during the first use. Sensitivity might also occur if you use fermented rice water as it contains more enzymes in it than regular rice water.
You also want to be careful if you decide to use essential oils in your rice water. Sometimes essential oils could cause sensitivity on the scalp if you use too much or your skin is allergic to a specific type. Because of this, you should start slowly if you decide to use essential oils in your rice water.
How Much Rice and Water Should I Use?
When you go to make rice water, you need to keep an important ratio in mind. For every cup of rice, you want to use one cup of water. This way, the rice can fully absorb into the water so you get the full benefits of the rice water. If you want to make a large batch, just increase this ratio until you have enough for your needs.
How to Make Rice Water
To make rice water, you can do so in a few ways. Below are some methods you can consider trying.
- Soaking: You can take one cup of rice and one cup of water, mix together, and then soak. Let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes to one hour before straining the rice from the water into a clean bowl.
- Boiling: You can also make rice water by boiling the mixture. Simply take the one cup of rice and two cups of rice and bring to a boil over a stovetop. Once it does boil, let the mixture cool down and then strain the rice water into a clean bowl.
- Fermented Rice Water: To make fermented rice water, use one of the methods (soaking or boiling) to make the basic mixture. Once you do, let the water sit out in a warm room for a few days. This will encourage the enzymes in the mixture to start to ferment.
How to Use Rice Water for Hair Growth
Using rice water on your hair is not difficult, but you’ll find a few methods you can use to help apply it. Below are some of the most common methods so you can find the right one for your needs.
Use it After Shampooing Your Hair
After you wash and rinse your hair with shampoo, you can pour the rice water over it. Then, massage the liquid into your hair and scalp for a few minutes. Once you do so, let the mixture sit in your hair for about 15-20 minutes before washing it out with warm water.
Mix it with Green Tea
If you want even more health benefits with your rice water, you can mix it with some green tea. Not only with both of them work to remove toxins from your hair, but give your hair follicles extra strength. They both can also help to stop hair loss making it ideal for those with very fine hair or who are having extreme hair loss problems.
To use your rice water/green tea mixture, rinse your hair out with warm water. You can then pour both of these liquids over your hair and massage it gently into it. After doing so, let the rice water and tea sit in your hair for a few minutes (about 10-15) before rinsing it out with warm water.
Put it in a Spray Bottle
For those who want the rice water to be sprayed on a certain area of their scalp, you can put your rice water in a spray bottle. Make sure to find a clean bottle and then fill it up with the mixture. You can then do a light mist over your hair to ensure all areas are cover and then take a few minutes to massage it in.
Add Some Essential Oils
If you’re looking for even more benefits to add to your hair, you can mix in some essential oils. You can mix these oils into the mixture after letting it cool down for a bit. If you’re not quite sure which essential oils might be good to use for hair, here are some you can consider.
Lavender
Lavender helps to keep your hair shiny and stop common scalp problems, like dandruff. See more 5 Reasons to Use Lavender Oil for Your Hair
lang Ylang
Ylang ylang will not only give your hair a delicious floral scent but can help with hair growth and scalp issues like alopecia and dandruff. It also works to condition your hair and prevent split ends. Benefits of Lang Ylang for hair
Lemongrass
Lemongrass oil is antibacterial which can help to destroy toxins in your hair and bacteria on your scalp.
Rosemary
This essential oil can help with dandruff and even work to prevent graying hair. It can also encourage circulation which can start hair growth.
Once you decide on the essential oils to use, you can put about two to four drops into the water, mix it around, and then use it on your hair.
Common Questions About Rice Water
Do You Need to Leave it Out Overnight?
It is not necessary to leave rice water out overnight. The only thing you need to do is make sure to leave it in your hair for about 20 minutes before washing it out. With just these few minutes, you can get an incredible amount of benefits without having to leave the liquid in your hair overnight.
Does Rice Water Only Work Well with Certain Hair Types?
The great thing about rice water is that it can be used on all hair types. This is because the rice water absorbs in the hair cuticle, something which is constructed similarly for all hair forms. Because of this, rice water is a very versatile beauty option.
What Type of Water Should I Use with Rice Water?
While you can use any type of water, ideally it should be filtered. This way, the water will be free from harmful chemicals or particles which could cause toxins to build up on your scalp and hair.
What Do I Do With Extra Rice Water?
If you find that you have some extra rice water, you can save it for another hair session, although keep in mind it might ferment. You can also use it on your skin. You can take a clean cloth or cotton ball, drop it into the water, and then dab the water over areas on your skin that might be inflamed or sore. The rice water will have the same effects on your skin as it does with your hair, as it will brighten it up and remove toxins from it that might cause it to look dull.
How Long Does It Take for Hair Growth to Occur?
You’ll need to wait a few weeks before you start to see extreme hair growth after using rice water. However, the more often you use it, the more it will work to encourage faster hair growth. Because of this, if you want to have longer hair, make sure to use this method regularly.
The Final Words
Rice water is the perfect natural beauty method to help give you stunning hair. It not only doesn’t contain harmful chemicals like many hair products on the market today, but it’s soothing and easy to use. It’s also a very affordable option making it ideal for those on a budget to use. Better yet, it can be used on all hair types so everyone can use it without problems.
Read more about 40 Powerful Home Remedies for Hair Growth
