Jan 13, 2021

Truth Or Myth? Does Rice Water Really Promote Hair Growth?

If you're a serial Tik Toker or Tik Tok watcher, you would surely know the rice water trend that you see everyone using to promote hair growth. Today's blog is all about busting the myth or seeking any truth in the trend with the history of rice water, the benefits and actually testing rice water ourselves for a month to see if there was any difference!

Women all throughout China, Japan and Southeast Asia have been using rice water for centuries now as a treatment to promote hair growth and improve their hairs overall health. But does rice water really have any scientific facts to prove the beauty benefits? Rice water is essentially water made up from the starch found on rice left over after rice has been cooked or left to soak in water. Rice water is thought to make your hair smooth and shiny as well as help your hair grow quickly. Anyone struggling with hair loss, thin or damaged hair would be singing it's praises if it actually worked - let us do the test for you!

As we mentioned, this blog post will look at the benefits of rice water hair treatments and whether scientific research backs up the treatment also.

The Facts Behind Rice Water

Using rice water on your hair may increase the shine, make it stronger as well as making it easier to detangle your hair. Rice grains contains around 75-80% starch and rice water is created by soaking clean rice in cold water. The milky looking water that remains after removing the rice is starch filled water and that is what you apply in your hair as a treatment. Rice water is thought to contain a list full of vitamins and minerals such as:

Amino Acids
B Vitamins
Minerals
Vitamin E
Antioxidants

The History Behind Rice Water Used As A Hair Treatment

According to researchers, women in the Heian period in Japan were known to have floor-length hair that they kept healthy by bathing their hair in rice water. A modern-day equivalent of this technique can now be found in China also. The Yao women, who live in a village called Huangluo in China are now famed and known for having hair that has the average length of 6 feet long! Yep... you read that right! In addition to crazy lengths in hair, the Yao women's hair is said to hold its colour for longer and do not begin to show grey hair until they reach their late 70's to early 80's. Again... yep, you read that right! The Yao women credit their length and colour achievements to the very fact that they bathe their hair in rice water and this is the sole reason they have such healthy, long hair. In more recent years, beauty advice websites, professionals and product developers have caught on to this tradition and have begun making products that contain rice water or the same benefits as rice water and from this the rice water hair treatment is spreading worldwide and inspiring many to try it.

Benefits Of Using Rice Water

For those who have used, using or swear by rice water as a hair treatment claim that their hair detangles much easier, hair is much smooth and notice a dramatic increase in how shiny their hair is. Users are also known to vouch for rice water as a hair treatment by saying it has made their hair much stronger and promoted significant hair growth in a prompt amount of time.

Researchers say that as the popularity of rice water being used for hair increases, there has been growth in anecdotal evidence about its benefits. However, can it be scientifically proven? A paper written in 2010 suggests that it may can be proven. In the authors notes, they say rice water can reduce surface friction and increase hair elasticity. This means means your hair will reduce frizz and brittle textures and be replaced with healthy, coated follicles that are shiny and strong. However, the study used in this paper relies heavily on historical examples to come to unsupported conclusions. A research facility in Japan has developed a technique around imagery that visualizes the strengthening effect of inositol on hair. Inositol is found in rice water. To date and in all honesty, the benefits and affects of rice water being used as a hair treatment remains unproven. More research is definitely needed in determining a definite answer however with the growing popularity in using rice water as a hair treatment rises, the opportunity for further research improves.

How Do You Make Rice Water?

There are several ways to make rice water such as soaking the rice, using fermented or plain rice and boiled rice water.

Soaking Rice Water

Rinsing rice thoroughly is a part of the soaking process. Soaking is also the quickest and easiest way to make rice water.

Use this method to make rice water via soaking:

use ½ cup of uncooked rice
Rinse thoroughly to clean and remove any toxins on the rice
Place cleaned rice in a bowl with 2-3 cups of cold water
Leave to soak for 30 minutes (some people even like to leave it soaking overnight for 24 hours to really ferment)
Strain the rice water into a clean bowl
To apply, you can either put the rice water into a clean spray bottle or dunk the ends of your hair in the bowl of rice water. Make sure your hair is fully coated in the rice water. Leave in the hair for 30 minutes and wash out with your normal hair washing routine.

Boiled Rice Water

Another way to make rice water is by boiling the rice.

Use this method to make rice water via soaking:

Cover ½ cup of rice with double the water typically used for when cooking rice.
Cook the rice in boiling water, but leave it on a simmer so that the rice doesn't absorb too much of the water when it's at boiling point.
Strain the rice water into a clean bowl
To apply, you can either put the rice water into a clean spray bottle or dunk the ends of your hair in the bowl of rice water. Make sure your hair is fully coated in the rice water. Leave in the hair for 30 minutes and wash out with your normal hair washing routine.

Fermented VS Plain Rice Water. Which Is Better?

A handful of rice water advocates claim fermented rice water will have more benefits than plain rice water. A study made in 2012, fermented substances have a higher amount of antioxidants. Antioxidants can combat hair as well as skin cell damage, which is why they are common ingredients found in beauty products. Fermented is basically a fancy term for anything that is soaked over a period of time.

Use this method to make fermented rice water:

use ½ cup of uncooked rice
Rinse thoroughly to clean and remove any toxins on the rice
Place cleaned rice in a bowl with 2-3 cups of cold water
Leave to soak for 30 minutes (some people even like to leave it soaking up to 24-48 hours)
Strain the fermented rice water into a clean bowl before use.
Wash your hair with shampoo and rinse out thoroughly with water
You can either put the rice water into a clean spray bottle or dunk the ends of your hair in the bowl of rice water. Make sure your hair is fully coated in the rice water and begin to massage the rice water into your hair and scalp.
Leave in for up to 20-30 minutes
Rinse thoroughly using warm water followed by your conditioner.

So overall, rinsing your hair in rice water is scientifically unproven however there has been mixed results for individuals. Rice water is a traditional beauty treatment popular and used in many regions of Asia. As we mentioned, since growing attention online via Tik Tok and other online sources, this treatment has turned into a worldwide trend that has everyone trying it. Many people have found rice water to be a beneficial hair treatment. Historical examples and anecdotal evidence does suggest that rice water can improve the texture, appearance, strength and growth of your hair. However, most scientific evidence about using rice water as a hair treatment remains inconclusive which means more research is needed to prove the benefits of using rice water as a hair treatment. Although, the benefits of using rice water remains unproven, using rice water as a hair treatment is a safe method to try at home and may also be beneficial for your skin.

As we mentioned, our Founder is going to try this treatment for herself and record the results in a months time so be sure to keep a lookout for the results and her honest journey and thoughts on using rice water. Sharna will be sure to include before and after pictures during her documentation.

What do you think of using rice water as a hair treatment?

Have you tried? Do you know anyone that has tried it?

Let us know in the comments, we would love to know!

Truth Or Myth? Does Rice Water Really Promote Hair Growth?

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