Rice Water For Longer, Stronger, & Thicker Hair

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So, for the past few years, I have been on a healthy hair journey.  To be honest, the journey to grow my natural Type 4 hair to waist-length has been full of trial and error.  It’s still a work in progress. But that’s life, right?! Thankfully, about a year ago, I discovered rice water.  Regardless of your hair texture, rice water offers so many benefits and is amazing to incorporate into your hair care routine.  Today, this post breaks down how you can use rice water for longer, stronger, and thicker hair. 

What Is Rice Water?

Rice water is simply the starchy liquid created when rice is cooked or soaked in water.  

Rice water’s weird, cloudy appearance holds many nutrients that make it one of the world’s most important and widely used food sources.  Importantly, rice water is composed of an antioxidant known as inositol, which is known for reviving and strengthening hair. 

In addition to inositol, rice water is rich in: 

• Zinc 
• Manganese 
• Magnesium 
• Fiber 
• Vitamin E 
• Vitamin B 

Rice Water’s Origins

Yao women of China with long hair

No, ladies, rice water did not originate from TikTok or the Kardashians! Lol. 

While rice water’s popularity may be new to the Western world, the use of rice water for hair and skin dates back to ancient Asian civilizations.  During ancient times, rice water served as a beauty staple in Japanese and Chinese cultures.  

Most recently, a community in Southern China has gained a lot of attention for their use of rice water to achieve and maintain their amazingly long, Rapunzel-like hair.  The Yao women in Southern China are not only known for their pretty pink traditional dresses, but also for their striking floor-length hair!

The secret to the Yao women’s long hair involves rinsing their hair with water made from washing rice.  The Yao women take great pride in their hair and, to them, long hair symbolizes longevity and health – the longer a woman’s hair, the longer she is likely to live.  In addition, the Yao women are known for only cutting their hair once in their lifetime. Yes, only once! The once-in-a-lifetime hair-cutting ceremony is seen as a rite of passage into adulthood.  

Yao woman with hair wrapped in a front bun

The Benefits Of Rice Water For Hair

Look, ladies.  I cannot guarantee that rice water will dramatically change your life. I cannot guarantee that rice water will help you get a  “better” significant other, “better” job, or “better” whatever. However, I can admit, based on my own experience, that rice water can help improve the overall health and look of your hair in many ways.  

1. Rice Water Contributes To Hair Growth

Victim of a bad haircut? Struggling to grow your hair past a certain length? Don’t worry, ladies. Rice water has your back. 

One of the most important benefits of rice water is that it encourages hair growth.  Without a doubt, rice water is great for reducing hair fall and shedding.  Rice water’s amino acids and vitamins (B, C, and E) help regenerate hair and contribute to faster hair growth.    

2. Rice Water Alleviates Dandruff

Fermented rice water contains anti-fungal properties that help to cure and eliminate dandruff.  

3. Rice Water Strengthens Your Hair

Those of you who regularly dye or add heat to your hair will benefit from rice water.  Fortunately, rice water contains protein and amino acids that aid in strengthening your hair and mending split ends.  

In addition, rice water contains an ingredient known as inositol, which, as I stated above, is known for strengthening your hair and protecting it from damage.  One of the amazing things about inositol is that it remains in your hair even after rinsing the rice water out.  Moreover,  rice water also decreases surface friction and improves the elasticity of your hair.  

4. Rice Water Conditions 

Along with serving as a protein treatment, rice water has moisturizing and conditioning abilities.  As a conditioner, rice water can help detangle,  minimize frizziness, add elasticity, and increase your hair’s volume.  

5. Rice Water Adds Shine

After using rice water, it leaves a starchy coating on your hair that adds shine and makes your hair feel smoother.  

6. Rice Water Is Economical 

One of the things that I love about rice water is that it is economical!  Thankfully, rice can be easily found at your neighborhood grocery store for a reasonable price.  You don’t have to worry about breaking the bank for the sake of hair care.  

In addition, with rice water, you don’t have to worry about fragrances and other preservatives that many drug store hair care products have.  Unfortunately,  a lot of commercial products contain ingredients that strip your hair of its nutrients.  

Rice Water For Longer, Stronger, & Thicker Hair – FAQS

Who Can Use Rice Water For Hair? 

All hair types and textures will benefit from using rice water.  

How Often To Use Rice Water?

Rice water is a protein treatment and should not be used every day.  It is best to use rice water about once a week.  Also, avoid using rice water with another protein treatment to prevent protein overload. 

Will Rice Water Solve All Of Your Hair Loss Problems?

If you are suffering from serious hair loss, please first seek help from your doctor.  This treatment should not be the only treatment utilized to combat severe hair loss.  

Should You Use Brown Rice or White Rice? 

You can either use brown or white rice to make rice water. 

What are the Side Effects of Rice Water? 

Overuse of rice water may lead to dry, brittle hair or a flaky scalp. To determine what works the best for your hair, start off by using rice water treatments about 2 times a month.   Curly hair textures may benefit from using an additional conditioner after the rice water treatment.  

Should You Use Fermented Or Regular Rice Water? 

You can either use fermented or regular rice water on your hair.  Whether you decide to use fermented or regular rice water depends on the amount of time you have available and how intense you want your treatment to be.  For a more intense treatment, use fermented rice water.   Fermented rice water requires more rice soaking time to enhance the rice water’s nutrients.   You can find recipes for both regular and fermented rice water below.  

How To Make & Use Rice Water For Longer, Stronger, & Thicker Hair

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Love, 

Miralce With Grace