Although there is no risk involved in attempting this hair (Rice Water) care procedure, the claims are not well supported by science.
There could be a key to longer, stronger, and more glossy hair in your kitchen cabinet. In Asian culture, using rice water to improve hair health is a centuries-old practice. In more recent times, millions of hair-flipping social media endorsements have been given to the idea.
But will you actually get locks you love with a rice water rinse? Dermatologists Shilpi Khetarpal, MD, and Alok Vij, MD, will help us sort through the truth and fantasy while millennia of beauty salon talk suggests that the answer is yes.
How Could Rice Water Be Beneficial for Hair?
The starchy liquid that results from cooking or soaking rice in water is called rice water. Many of the elements that make rice one of the most significant food sources in the world are contained in the hazy mixture. How then may that benefit your hair? Let’s start with the rice’s released starch into the water.
According to Dr. Vij, “the starch acts like a conditioner.” It acts to stop hair follicles from rubbing against one another and fraying or breaking by lying on the cuticle, which is the outer layer of the hair follicle.
Inositol, an antioxidant that has been hailed as a “hair growth agent,” and a host of other vitamins and minerals that may shield hair from damaging pressures can also be found in rice.
These minerals and vitamins consist of:
B vitamin.
vitamin E.
Fibre.
magnesium.
Japanese manga.
zinc.
Potential Advantages of Rice Water
The benefits of rice water are as numerous as Rapunzel’s fanciful hair. Supporters of rice water claim that it helps minimise bothersome knots and leave your hair looking thicker and glossier.
The main selling feature, though, is hair growth. According to legend, rice water aided in the floor-length hair growth of the women in the imperial court during Japan’s Heian period. The term “kurokami” referred to the long hair.
Rice water is currently used in China as part of a regimen that has made Huangluo town the “World’s Longest Haired Village” according to the Guinness Book of World Records.
Is rice water actually so potent, though?
Dr. Khetarpal says, “Anecdotally, there seems to be a lot of potential benefit to using rice water on your hair.” Nevertheless, science has not been able to validate it.
In addition, Dr. Vij emphasises that the majority of people have genetically determined hair growth. “Haircare practices themselves are usually a very minor component, but there are some modifiable factors like age, overall health, and nutrition,” he explains.
Is It Dangerous to Apply Rice Water to Your Hair?
There’s hardly much to be concerned about while using It on your hair, other than running out of food in your cupboard. Dr. Khetarpal states, “There are no dangerous chemicals or additives, so that limits your risk of damage.”
She advises against using it, though, if you have inflamed scalp in order to prevent causing more aggravation. Another way to irritate your scalp and hair is to not completely rinse the mixture out.
Making and Using Rice Water
When it comes to do-it-yourself cosmetic chores, it is the easiest option available. (After all, the component list for this hair elixir is named after it.)
Rice water can be made in three major ways:
rice that has been briefly soaked in water for 30 to 2 hours.
cooking the rice and water mixture.
a lengthy soak—at least one day—to allow the water to ferment.
The shorter choice gives you the best chance of success, according to Dr. Khetarpal. She points out that while the lengthy soak could introduce germs into your mix, the boiling step may reduce some of the nutrients. The majority of it recipe instructions found online suggest rinsing the rice before beginning and straining the finished product. Do a short Google search to find more precise instructions.
The directions for using your rice water are rather straightforward once you have it. Dr. Vij advises, “After you’re done washing your hair, soak it in the it and leave it in for about 20 minutes before rinsing it out.”
After making rice water, is the rice still edible?
Happy multitaskers! There’s dinner on the table, along with a ‘do (hairstyle). According to Dr. Khetarpal, there’s no need to discard all of the rice after creating it. The rice is not rendered inedible throughout the process. Furthermore, consuming the rice enables its nutrients to benefit your entire body rather than just your hair. Plus, soaking rice reduces the amount of time it needs to cook.
In order to improve your hair, should you raid your pantry? Ultimately, it’s a personal choice, according to Drs. Khetarpal and Vij. To get more opulent locks, there’s actually no harm in giving this time-tested method a try.
Dr. Vij reiterates, “Anecdotal evidence is great, but there’s not a lot of scientific evidence behind using rice water.” However, I can’t argue with something that works for you, as I constantly tell my patients.
However, if you’re looking for alternative solutions to increase your hair growth and rice water isn’t quite your thing, here are a couple you might want to consider:
Alternatives for Hair Growth
Massages for the scalp: Massaging your scalp helps stimulate hair follicles and improve blood flow, which may encourage hair growth.
A well-balanced diet should include enough vitamins and minerals, especially those that are proven to support the health of hair, such as biotin, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Supplements for Hair development: Take into account supplements created especially to promote hair development.
Professional Therapies: Speak with a dermatologist about PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy or microneedling.
Proper Haircare: To minimise chemical treatments and prevent excessive heat style, use soft hair products.
Jessica’s View:
There could be a key to longer, stronger, and more glossy hair in your kitchen cabinet. Because of its reputation on social media for improving hair health, rice water—a traditional Asian remedy—is becoming more and more well-liked. Does it, however, actually function? To distinguish truth from myth, we dug into the scientific literature and spoke with dermatologists Alok Vij, MD, and Shilpi Khetarpal, MD. What we learned about this fascinating hair care procedure is shown here.
