Do you want to know how to use rice water for hair growth? Learn how to use rice water and all the benefits of rice water for your hair.
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How to Use Rice Water for Hair Growth & The Benefits of Rice Water
There has been a crazy buzz within the natural hair community about how to use rice water for hair growth. There are dozens of videos on YouTube of naturals teaching us how they grow their hair to new lengths by using this DIY mixture. Some have been successful while others are yet to benefit. However, many of us are willing to try method because it brings us one step closer to achieving our hair goals. But, where did this phenomenon originate?
The History Of Rice Water
Yao women from the village of Huanglo in China, are known to have hair as long as 6 feet or longer. Many of these women do not get gray hair well into their 80’s. The secret is that long ago Yao women found out how to use rice water for hair growth. They use the rice water in their hair regimen to keep their hair long and healthy.
© Longi
Yao women go into the river abundant with rice water to perform their hair care routine. They use it to cleanse, strengthen, and grow their hair. Their hair is silky smooth, super long, shiny, and with no grey hairs. Furthermore, the water even helps them manage their long hair because it makes it easy to detangle. Fun Fact: Can you guess what their favorite protective style is?…a bun! Fermented rice water is a tradition that has been used in their village for centuries. Let’s talk more in depth about the benefits of using rice water.
Benefits of Rice Water
There are many benefits of rice water and it has been proven by science that rice water is high in protein. Since our hair strands are 90% protein, known as keratin, the richness of the protein aids in repairing broken or damaged hair strands. When our hair is stronger we are able to retain more length.
Fermented rice water is also rich in Pietra. Pitera is a substance that is produced during the fermentation process (we will discuss more about this later). This substance promotes cell regeneration for your scalp and hair strands. As a result it promotes hair growth and reduces the aging process of your hair strands.
Fermented rice water is a great staple to add within your natural hair regimen because of all its benefits. It provides overall protection for our strands by strengthening roots, adding luster & shine, promoting hair growth, and prevents grey hairs. Now, lets talk about how to make it.
How To Make Rice Water For Hair Growth
There are various ways to make rice water but these are the top two. Boiling the rice or by letting it sit overnight.
#1 BOILING:
This is the way is most common.
1) Get a 1/2 cup of uncooked rice (any rice which you prefer it can be white, brown, jasmine, long grain or short grain).
2) Rinse thoroughly to remove any dirt and debris from the rice.
3) Fill a pot with 2-3 cups of water and bring it to a boil.
4) Once the water has reached a boil, turn off the stove and strain the water into your spray bottle.
5) Let the water cool down, before applying.
#2 LETTING IT SIT OVERNIGHT:
If you choose not to boil to rice, then another method is to let the rice water sit overnight.
1) Get a 1/2 cup of uncooked rice (any rice which you prefer it can be white, brown, jasmine, long grain or short grain).
2) Rinse thoroughly to remove any dirt and debris from the rice.
3) Fill an air tight sealed container with the water and the rice.
4) Place container in a dark area like a cabinet or storage area for 24 hours.
5) Remove after 24 hours and strain the fermented rice water into your favorite container or spray bottle. Rice water has a higher pH than our hair’s so dilute the fermented rice water with plain water before using.
Side note: Due to the fermentation process, fermented rice water has a pungent smell. This is normal, but try adding your favorite essential oils like lavender, tea tree, lemongrass, eucalyptus, peppermint to help counteract the smell and get the added hair benefits.
If you made excess rice water it can be stored in your fridge for up to a week. Make sure to shake it well before you apply it to your hair.
How to Use Rice Water for Hair Growth
Before Shampooing
The best time to use the rice water mixture is before shampooing. Using it this way will give your hair the full benefits. Start by putting the rice water in a spray bottle and spritz it directly onto your scalp. Next, massage the mixture in. Massaging it in allows the nutrients to seep into the hair follicles. In addition, it will promote blood circulation so that nutrients are able to reach the follicles. Next, apply it along the length of your hair strands. Then work it in, using the praying hands method. The rice water will seep into your hair cuticles and provide the nutrients to your hair strands.
Rinse
You can also use it as a rinse. To use the rice water as a rinse, apply the mixture all over your hair and scalp. Allow the mixture to sit for 15 – 20 minutes. Then rinse it out thoroughly with warm water. Next, you should follow up by using a deep conditioner on your hair. The deep conditioner will add moisture back into your hair in order to balance out the protein from the fermented rice water rinse.
Daily Leave-In Conditioner
Lastly, that extra rice water that you left in your refrigerator can be used as a daily leave-in conditioner. Spritz your roots and the ends of your hair with it every 2-3 days. This way your hair will be receive the benefits of the rice water regularly even as you go throughout your busy day.
Things To Consider When Using Rice Water For Hair Growth
Fermented Rice Water has changed the natural hair game because it is another technique that may be used to help us achieve our healthy hair goals. Will fermented rice water work for everyone? Yes and no. What may work for your friend may not work for you.
It is important to take into consideration if you have low porosity hair, because low porosity hair can only intake so much protein. Also, if you hair is protein sensitive the rice water may make your feel hair dryer since it is rich in amino acids. Lastly, the method that you choose to make your rice water, whether it is boiling or letting it sit overnight, can yield different results as well. Everybody’s hair type, texture and porosity are different. With trial and error, you will find which method of rice water works for your hair, so that you can benefit and increase your hair growth.
Do you use rice water in your hair? Let us know in the comments below about your experience. If you enjoyed this article then subscribe to our blog to be notified when we add new natural hair care articles.
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