Rice Water for Hair Repair: How to Make and Use It?

Shaivy Choubey

Medically Reviewed By Dr. Aarti Nehra

Rice water for hair and skin is used in Asian remedies. This incredible recipe for hair nourishment is easy to prepare and is ideal for repairing dull and damaged hair. It is loaded with vital nutrients for hair growth and shine.

Read the following article to understand the benefits of rice water for hair growth and ways to prepare it and use it at home. Take a look.

What Is Rice Water?

When we boil rice in water, the water turns cloudy and thick after some time. This starch-filled liquid is usually strained and discarded. If only you knew how wonderful is rice water for hair growth. But if you love rice and cook it often, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to make your rice water again and reap multiple benefits of rice water for hair.

You may have heard of a specific rice water— fermented rice water. It is prepared by fermenting rice water for upto two to three days. Plain water has a pH higher than hair’s natural pH, whereas fermented rice water has a pH close to natural hair.

Let’s look at how each of these two are prepared.

How to Make Rice Water for Hair and Use It?

There are two types of rice water, boiled rice water, and fermented rice water, that you can use for hair care. Learn how to make and use them:

1. Boiled Rice Water

It is the water left from boiling rice. Soak some rice in a deep vessel for 10 minutes. Put the boat on high flame to bring it to a boil. Let the rice cook until tender. Strain the cloudy, thick water in a clean container. You can dilute this concentrated liquid with water to make a natural rinse for hair.

How to Use It?

  • Add boiled rice water in a mug and stir two to three drops of essential oil (lavender oil, rosemary oil, jasmine oil) to make it smell nice.
  • Pour this liquid on your freshly washed hair and let it stay for 5 to 20. You can massage rice water on your hair and scalp thoroughly.
  • Rinse your hair with plain water. Repeat it twice a week to make your hair smooth and shiny.

2. Fermented Rice Water

It is plain rice water that is left to ferment before use. Take some rice and soak them in plain water for 30 minutes. Strain the water in a clean container and store it at room temperature for 24 to 48 hours. When you smell it turning sour, it is ready. Place the jar in the refrigerator. Various hair supplements, shampoos, and conditioners use this formula of fermented rice water.

How to Use It?

  • You can use the fermented rice water to condition your hair after shampooing.
    Or
  • Make a hair mask by mixing fermented water with mustard powder.
  • Mix 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil, coconut oil, or olive oil into it.
  • Apply this paste as a mask to your hair and keep it on for 15-20 minutes.
  • Rinse it off with mild shampoo to remove the oiliness.

Rice Water Benefits for Hair

Various hair care products are formulated with rice water these days. What is so special about this common cooking leftover? Well, let’s find out:

1. Promotes Hair Growth

Rice water is packed with vitamins C, B, and E, which are linked with better hair growth. Moreover, it contains amino acids that nourish hair follicles and support healthy hair growth.

Did You Know?

Rice water contains a chemical called inositol that is found to be effective for hair growth, as per the study published in the Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics.

2. Reduces Split Ends

Split ends are expected to occur when your hair is dry and lacks enough keratin—using rice water for hair benefits you with improved hair strength and reduced breakage and split ends.

3. Hydrated Your Hair

Rice water for hair is deeply moisturizing, making it a perfect remedy for sealing moisture in your hair strands. As a result, you get glossy hair and less flyaways.

4. Repairs Hair Damage

Hair is constantly exposed to friction, pollution, and sun damage. Coating hair with the rice water conditioner smoothens each strand and improves hair elasticity.

5. Adds Shine to Hair

Finally, using rice water for hair makes you appear healthier and shinier. Leaving it on for 20 minutes can give priceless results without side effects.
There are also many benefits of rice water for skin. You can apply it on your face for a few minutes and rinse it with water to get glossy Korean skin.

Conclusion

Rice water is an excellent home remedy for addressing hair concerns such as dryness, split ends, breakage, and stunted hair growth. You can make rice water by boiling rice and straining it or simply soaking it in plain water and letting it ferment. You can use this liquid as a conditioning rinse or mix herbal ingredients to make a hair mask. It is natural, effective, and takes little effort to make.

Sources
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352561846_A_FORMULATION_OF_FACE_PACK_AND_HAIR_PRODUCTS_OF_RICE_WATER_FOR_THE_USE_OF_SKIN_AND_HAIR_PROBLEM
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35133117/

About Shaivy Choubey is a full time content writer with over 7 years of experience, specialising in medical and healthcare forte. She has an extensive knowledge and understanding in crafting, editing, and proofreading the content of infertility treatments (IVF, ICSI, IMSI, Surrogacy, etc.), surgical procedures, sexual well-being issues and their treatments (ED, PE, Low Libido, PCOS, PMS, and more), weight management, diabetic care, skincare, hair care, nutrition and general lifestyle; moreover she has an in-depth knowledge in cosmeceuticals, pharmaceuticals too. Her career started in 2018 holding a designation of a web content writer in one of the fertility clinics in Delhi, the very previous organisation she was into - she holds the esteemed position of senior content writer, continuing her journey in nutraceuticals, wellness, and fitness. Currently she is working at HealthKart as an Assistant Content Manager, where she proofreads, edits, strategizes the content, scrutinises articles/ blogs/ PDPs available in the website, and publishes the high-quality content incorporating the standard SEO practice. When not working, she loves to sing, read, do yoga and zumba. Expertise Infertility, Health and Wellness, Fitness, Sexual Well-being, Pharmaceuticals, Skincare, Haircare, General Lifestyle, Nutrition, Medical, Nutraceutical Education English Honors from Delhi University Masters in Literature from IGNOU Certifications PGDT (Post Graduation Diploma in English Translation) DCE (Diploma in Creative Writing) Diploma in web designing and graphics Microsoft office specialist

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