What Are The Effects Of Rice Water For Your Hair?

Rice Water And Hair 

Using rice water as a hair treatment for centuries were women in China, Japan, and Southeast Asia. Whereas the question is does rice water have any scientifically proven beauty benefits? 

The starchy water left over after rice is cooked or left to soak is rice water. Helping it grow faster, it is thought to make the hair smooth and shiny. 

In the following words, we look at the beauty benefits of the rice water hair treatments as well as whether scientific research backs up the purported results. 

Using Rice Water For Hair

Making it stronger and detangling it is rice water that may increase the shine of hair. Containing 75-80 percent starch, rice water is starchy water that remains after soaking or cooking rice. Thought to contain many of the vitamins and minerals is rice water. Here they include:

• Amino acids
• B vitamins
• Vitamin E
• Minerals
• Antioxidants

History

Women in the Heian period in Japan had floor-length hair that was kept healthy by bathing it in rice water according to researchers. 

In China, we find a modern-day equivalent of this story. Famed for having hair that averages 6 feet long, are the Yao women who live in a village called Huangluo in China. 

As they do not begin to get grey hair until they reach their 80s, the Yao women’s hair in addition to its incredible length is said to keep its colour for longer. 

The fact that they bathe it in rice water is what the Yao women credit the length and colour of their hair to. 

Beauty advice websites and product developers have caught on to this tradition in recent years and now the rice water trend is spreading. 

Benefits

It is believed that using rice water has the following effects:

• Detangles the hair
• Makes hair smoother
• Increases shine
• Makes hair stronger
• Helps hair grow long

What The Research Says?

There is growing anecdotal evidence about its benefits, as the popularity of using rice water for hair increases. And now are these claims scientifically proven? 

A 2010 paper suggests they may be at first glance. Rice water may reduce surface friction and increase hair elasticity as the authors note. 

To draw unsupported conclusions, the study however relies on historical examples.

Visualising the strengthening effect of inositol on hair, a research facility in Japan has developed an imaging technique as rice water contains inositol. 

Published directly by a facility that may have commercial interests is important to be noted in the case of this research. 

The benefits of rice water for hair remain unproven to date. To support anecdotal evidence about the benefits of rice water for hair, more research is needed. 

How To Make Rice Water?

Including soaking, there are several different ways to make rice water. 

Part of the soaking process is rinsing rice thoroughly. The quickest way to make rice water is soaking. 

Here is the method used:

Firstly, take ½ cup of uncooked rice.

Then rinse thoroughly.

After that place rice in a bowl with 2–3 cups of water.

Then leave it to soak for 30 minutes.

Finally, strain the rice water into a clean bowl.

Fermented Vs. Plain Rice Water

Claiming fermented rice water has more benefits than plain rice water, are some rice water advocates. 

Fermented substances have a higher amount of antioxidants according to a 2012 study. They are typical ingredients in beauty products as antioxidants may combat hair and skin cell damage. 

Follow steps 1-4 of the soaking method to ferment rice water. Leave the rice water to stand at room temperature for up to 2 days allowing it to ferment before straining it. Before use, strain the rice water into a clean bowl. 

Boiling

Boiling rice is another way to make rice water. 

With double the water typically used for cooking, cover ½ cup of rice. 

Strain the rice water into a clean bowl before use by cooking the rice in boiling water.

How To Use Rice Water?

Coming as a replacement for a commercial conditioner is rice water. In this case, a person should:

First of all, wash hair with shampoo.

Then rinse thoroughly with water from the tap.

Thereafter, pour rice water onto their hair.

It helps to massage the rice water into the hair and scalp.

Then leave on for up to 20 minutes.

Finally, rinse hair thoroughly using warm water from the tap.

The Skin Benefits

Rice water may also benefit the skin in addition to its potential beauty benefits for the hair. 

Helping damaged skin heal for people with dermatitis, was the starch in rice water found by a 2002 study

And Finally What Is The Takeaway

A traditional beauty treatment popular in many regions in Asia is rinsing hair in rice water. 

This alternative beauty remedy is now popular across the world has gained attention online.

Finding rice water to be beneficial hair treatment are many people with examples and anecdotal evidence suggesting rice water may improve the strength, texture, and growth of hair. 

More research is needed to prove the benefits of using rice water as most scientific evidence about the treatment is inconclusive. 

Using a rice water hair rinse is safe to try at home and may also be used on the skin while its benefits for hair remain unproven. Finally, it was found promoting skin health in people with dermatitis.