Rice Water For Hair – You scroll through social media, and you see a hair care product ad after every three posts. In a time of advanced hair care remedies, almost everyone has forgotten that old handmade hair oil tucked away in some drawer. However, one old tradition still rules the hair care world. And it’s none else than rice water.
The tradition of rice water for hair originates from ancient Asian cultures, particularly in Japan and China. The remedy has passed down generations, and this fact alone is enough to prove its abilities.
Whether you are obsessed with hair care and love to explore new remedies or someone who’s been having a lot of bad hair days recently and wants an immediate solution, here’s all you need to know.
Benefits Of Rice Water For Hair
Rice water has a lot to offer for your hair. Each component in the rice water serves its own purpose, and collectively, they nourish, strengthen, reduce hair breakage, and impart a natural shine to your hair.
The key components of rice water are antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins B and E, and carbohydrate inositol. Here’s how they work wonders on your hair.
- The amino acid nourishes the scalp and serves as a hair-building block.
- Vitamins boost hair health, and minerals strengthen the hair’s roots.
- Inositol enters the damaged hair, fixes it from the inside, and protects it from harm.
Rice water makes the hair silky smooth and gives it a flawless shine and texture. It is a natural component that helps the hair detangle easily without any breakage.
Ideal Hair Types That Should Be Using Rice Water
It works on all hair types, especially if you have color-treated hair or hair that uses heat stylers more often; in this case, rice water is your go-to protein treatment. Those with dry, brittle, and curly hair can also benefit from rice water as the rice water’s protein improves the hair’s condition, makes it more bouncy, and gives it volume.
Preparation Of Rice Water For Hair
Preparing rice water is super easy; all you need is rice and water, of course! But what’s important is how you mix these two ingredients. Based on that, there are two methods of preparing rice water.
1 – The Soaking Method
- Rinse half a cup of rice to clear the dirt.
- Put the washed rice in a bowl and pour two to three cups of water.
- Allow it to sit for around 30 minutes. The rice nutrients will seep into the water and turn it cloudy.
- Filter the rice water into a clean bowl, and it’s ready.
2 – The Boiling Method
- Cook ½ cup of rice with 2 cups of water.
- Once cooked, collect the extra water. That’s it, your rice water is ready.
Once you have successfully prepared rice water, you can put it in a spray bottle to make its application easier.
Two Ways You Can Make The Most Out Of Rice Water
Now that you have got your hands on the handmade rice water bottle, it’s time to make the most out of the application of rice water. There are two ways you can use it.
1 – Pre-Shampoo Treatment
For pre-shampoo treatment, you can spray it into the roots of your hair and leave it on for 15-20 minutes and then shampoo and condition it as usual.
2 – Post-Shampoo Treatment
For the post-shampoo treatment, you can first shampoo your hair then spray the rice water, massage it onto your scalp for 15-20 minutes, detangle your hair, and then wash it off with warm water and condition your hair. This will leave you with silk and shiny hair.
Is Rice Water Good For Hair Fall?
The risks and benefits of any kind of treatment, whether medical or DIY, should be considered accordingly. Even though rice water is a natural treatment that works perfectly well for hair loss and gives healthier hair, people with medical conditions such as alopecia (hair loss) or atopic dermatitis (inflammation and itching in the scalp) should be cautious about using rice water. No scientific proof exists that rice water has helped individuals with such medical conditions.
Are There Any Side Effects?
While rice water has proven benefits for hair, it’s crucial to be mindful of certain considerations before applying it. Understanding the right application method and frequency is key to getting the best results. Here’s what you should be looking for,
1 – Scalp Irritation
Some individuals may experience irritation in the scalp while using rice water. It can be apparent with itchiness, redness, or a burning sensation. Doing a patch test of rice water before applying it to your entire scalp is always recommended.
2 – Protein Surcharge
Rice water contains proteins that penetrate through your hair shaft, and even though protein is beneficial for hair health, an overload of protein can cause excessive buildup, leading to protein surcharge. Protein overload may then cause dry hair and more prone to breakage.
3 – Dryness
Rice water has a slightly alkaline pH, which can interfere with the natural pH of your hair. This can lead to dryness and frizz, making it prone to hair damage. Regular water should be diluted with rice water to avoid this damage and balance the pH level.
4 – Fermentation Risks
If rice water is kept for an extended period, there is a bacterial or fungal growth risk. Hence, this spoiled or fermented rice water can cause scalp infections or further scalp/hair problems.
Conclusion
Though rice water can make your hair healthier and shinier, you also need to know that it cannot be overused if you are allergic to it. There are not many downsides to the rice water for hair treatment, and it can surely let you have your luscious hair. So why not give this easy and cheap DIY hair treatment a try and give yourself the experience of running your fingers through your smooth and silky hair?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does Rice Water Stink?
Yes, since rice water is in its natural state and has no added preservatives, it smells and can get stale if left for more than 48 hours. However, if you refrigerate it, you can use it after 4-5 days too.
Q: Can We Apply Rice Water On Hair Daily?
Though you can, it’s not recommended. Rice water shouldn’t be applied on hair daily as it will leave a lot of residues, resulting in damaged hair. Despite its many benefits, it’s better to use rice water in moderation.
Q: Does Rice Water Thicken Hair?
Rice water just creates the appearance of thicker hair; it does not necessarily boost thick hair, as the proteins in rice water are too big to penetrate through the hair stands.
Q: Does Rice Water Remove Dandruff?
Yes, it does. Along with its many benefits, rice water can also help you fight off dandruff. The secret lies in its components. The amino acids in the rice water remove dandruff and dryness.
