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How to Rice Water Your Hair

Published in Hair Care 2 mins read

Rice water, a byproduct of cooking rice, has gained popularity as a natural hair treatment. It's simple to use and may offer several benefits for your hair.

Preparing Rice Water

Several methods exist for preparing rice water, but they all involve rinsing rice. Here's a common approach:

  1. Rinse the Rice: Thoroughly rinse 1/2 cup to 1 cup of rice (long-grain jasmine rice is often recommended [Reddit, r/AsianBeauty]). Discard the initial rinse water.
  2. Soak the Rice: Soak the rinsed rice in 2 cups of water for 30 minutes to several hours. Some sources suggest boiling the rice for 22-25 minutes [Quora].
  3. Strain the Water: Strain the rice water through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove any rice particles.
  4. Cool and Store: Let the rice water cool completely before use. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Applying Rice Water to Your Hair

The application process is straightforward:

  1. Shampoo and Rinse: Wash your hair with your regular shampoo and rinse thoroughly [The rice water method].
  2. Apply Rice Water: Pour the rice water over your hair, ensuring your scalp and hair are saturated. Gently massage it into your scalp and hair.
  3. Leave-in Time: Leave the rice water in your hair for 15-20 minutes [The rice water method].
  4. Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse your hair with lukewarm water. You may not need to condition depending on your hair type and the rice water's effect [Reddit, r/longhair].

Potential Benefits and Considerations

Several sources suggest that rice water may promote hair growth, improve elasticity, add shine, and reduce frizz [University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Reddit r/HaircareScience, Medical News Today]. However, individual results may vary. Applying rice water daily is mentioned as potentially beneficial [YouTube, Grow Hair with Rice Water].

Different Rice Types

The type of rice used can affect the nutrient content of the rice water. Jasmine rice, sticky rice, and Japanese rice are suggested to be particularly beneficial [Happy Earth Farm].