What’s the Deal with Rice Water For Hair?
A breakdown of this cloudy hair trend.
Written by Jessica Fields
So you’ve seen the viral videos and heard the claims of growth, strengthening, etc. yet you still don’t know what rice water is or how you should be using it. Oddly enough for all its internet fame, the use of rice water for hair care stems from practices in China, Japan, and Southeast Asia–– where women would use the solution to maintain hair health and shine. But even with the backing of famed rapper Cardi B, this murky water remains elusive on the residential scene. Not to worry, we’re going to tell you everything you need and want to know about it.
What it is?
You don’t have to think too hard here, rice water is exactly as the name states. The cloudy mixture is a result of the starch dispensed from rice after cooking and holds many skincare benefits like reducing signs of aging. Its rich liquid is packed with antioxidants, amino acids, a bevy of minerals and vitamins, and most importantly, a carbocyclic sugar called inositol.
How rice water benefits your hair
Commonly found in hair growth products, inositol is known to repair breakage-prone strands and prevent future damage. Aside from its preventative makeup, rice water also contains beneficial nutrients like Vitamin B, Vitamin E, and proteins, which play a vital part in strengthening and maintaining healthy hair. And let’s not forget the culprit behind its cloudy appearance: The starch itself. Coating the outer sheath of hair follicles, the starch found in rice water helps tame frizz and boost shine.
How to use rice water
You can easily mix up a batch a rice water at home with the two basic ingredients. To quickly release the starch from the rice, its best to boil it, but if you have the time simply place rice in water and allow it to soak for 8-16 hours. You’ll know it's ready when the water is foggy and almost opaque in color. When that occurs, strain the rice water into a bottle for storage and easy access. Now that you have your “miracle elixir” it is important that you store it correctly as natural rice water that has gone bad can have damaging effects on your hair.
Although rice water can be used on dry hair, it’s ideal for your after-wash routine. Once the hair is shampooed and clean, spray on the rice water, starting at the ends and working your way up to the roots. You can also massage amounts into your scalp to add moisture and stimulate the follicles. Allow the mixture to stew in hair as you would a deep conditioner and then thoroughly rinse until hair feels clean.
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