How To Wash Hair With Rice Water

Written by Kinnari AsharNov 02, 2022
How to Wash Hair with Rice Water

Ever wondered how to wash your hair with rice water? Yes, you read it right! Check out this guide on washing hair with rice water.

Rice is a staple of Asian cuisine. It’s usually soaked in water before cooking, and the water often gets discarded. Yet rice water actually provides many benefits for the hair. Washing hair with rice water makes its condition more silky and smooth and can help it grow faster too. While rice water hasn't been all that popular over the past few decades, it’s actually a well-known ancient technique to help maintain good hair health. Read on to learn more about its benefits for your hair and how to wash hair with rice water.

Benefits of rice water for hair

1. Hair growth

Rice water is beneficial for hair because it promotes hair growth. You might start to notice an increase as soon as you begin using it! By protecting the hair from damage, rice water maintains the hair's health. When used on the scalp, rice water gives the hair follicles a protein boost that helps the hair grow faster.

how to wash hair with rice water

2. Makes hair silky and shiny

Washing hair with rice water will ensure that it looks lustrous and shiny. Among the benefits of rice water is its ability to help protect your hair from heated electronic hair appliances, pollution in the air, and chemicals from hair care products. Hair becomes dull and lacks shine if they're exposed to these elements, whereas rice water helps keep it smooth and shiny, as well as adding condition and bounce.

3. Boosts strength

Using rice water for hair will help it to grow stronger. That’s because rice contains amino acids, which strengthen the roots of your hair. In addition, it contains inositol, a carbohydrate that contributes to hair strength. Rice water makes detangling hair easy, resulting in less hair breakage.

how to wash hair with rice water

4. Eliminates a flaky scalp and dandruff

Dandruff is caused by a fungus called malassezia, which is inhibited by fermented rice water. Rice water is therefore a great way to tackle the problem of dandruff on your hair. Plus, it gives the scalp and hair an extra boost of moisture, preventing dry, flaky skin. You can help keep dandruff and flakes away by using rice water on your hair on a weekly basis.

How to wash hair with rice water

All these amazing benefits can be achieved through the right routine. The latest Pro Pure Damage Recovery range from TRESemmé is formulated with fermented rice water, as well as zero sulphates, parabens, dyes, and mineral oils yet still gives you that salon-fresh feeling.

Sound like something you want? Then follow the below steps to gain the luscious locks you’ve been dreaming of:

how to wash hair with rice water

Step 1: Shampoo your hair as you usually do

Make sure that you rinse the shampoo thoroughly with warm water. You can follow your normal conditioning routine after shampooing or apply rice water straight after. Try both methods and see which suits you the best.

You may decide to skip the shampoo and proceed directly to the rice water if you do not normally wash your hair every day, or if your hair is naturally dry. If you decide to shampoo your hair, try using TRESemme ProPure Damage Recovery Shampoo that is infused with rice water. The goodness of fermented rice water gives your locks a nourishing protein boost, making them healthy, and shiny.

how to wash hair with rice water

Step 2: Defrizz with a conditioner

Combine it with TRESemme ProPure Damage Recovery Conditioner, which is enriched with amino acids, Vitamin E and antioxidants, which helps to reduce frizz, repair existing damage and build strength to avoid future damage. 

how to wash hair with rice water

Step 3: Add extra shine with a serum

Once washed, continue your clean beauty routine by applying the TRESemme Pure Damage Recovery Hair Serum on either towel-dried or completely dry hair, starting from the mid-lengths to the ends. It helps to tame frizz, boost shine, and makes your hair smooth, soft, and manageable. The goodness of sunflower seed oil helps to minimise hair breakage.

how to wash hair with rice water

Step 4: Treat yourself with a mask

Is your hair particular damaged? Then go the extra mile by using the TRESemme ProPure Damage Recovery Mask once a week in place of conditioner. Indulge in this treatment to deeply hydrate and nourish your hair, while helping to strengthen dry, damaged hair. It also works to minimize tangles and knots, as well as treating split ends and controlling frizz.

How To Make Rice Water For Your Hair

1. Clean the rice

To avoid ruining the rice water, make sure to clean the rice of any dirt or impurities. Be sure that the rice is rinsed and strained thoroughly until the water is clear.

2. Mix water and rice

The strained rice should be mixed with water in a bowl and stirred until it has become cloudy. Make sure to let it sit for at least an hour before using. Ideally, you have to leave it for 24 hours to allow the water to absorb the nutrients.

Fermented rice water

Fermented rice water has an advantage over plain rice water, in that it has more vitamins and nutrients so that it’s even better for the hair. Moreover, it has enhanced anti-dandruff, anti-itch, and anti-hair fall properties, and helps to rebalance an oily scalp.

As the Yao women of Huangluo village in China are known for their long, grey-less, shiny hair, it has been named "the world's longest hair village" by the Guinness Book of World Records. As you may have guessed, they wash their hair with fermented rice water, resulting in its shiny, long and silky soft condition.

how to wash hair with rice water

How to apply your own rice water

If you’re making your own rice water, you only need 3 simple steps to start to feel the benefits of this wonder ingredient!

Step 1: After rinsing your hair, soak it in rice water.

Apply the rice water to your scalp with a cup or a squeeze bottle. Then, be sure to apply it all over your scalp and along the length of your strands.

The rice water does not have to be applied in the shower or bath. You can soak your hair over a sink or basin as well. The choice is yours!

Step 2: Let your hair soak in the rice water for 20-30 minutes, so that each strand is fully coated with inositol, preventing breakage and damage.

Step 3: The rice water must be rinsed thoroughly with cold water. Remove any tangles or knots from your hair by gently combing or brushing it. Your hair is now ready for styling.

Make rice water a regular part of your haircare routine. You can wash with rice water daily, every alternate day, or every week. It depends on what kind of results you are aiming for and the kind of process you prefer. Some people prefer to use rice water less frequently simply because it can be time-consuming to use it every day. Figure out what works best for you.

FAQs

Should I let rice water soak in my hair overnight?

It won't be necessary to do that. Rice water has carbohydrates that stay in your hair even after you wash it off, to prevent your hair from getting damaged. Therefore, you only need to leave it on for 15-30 minutes.

When should you use rice water on your hair?

Using rice water for hair can help you a lot if your hair looks dry and damaged and lacks shine. If you tend to get split ends and breakage - making it difficult to grow your hair, rice water will help prevent those problems.

Kinnari Ashar

Written by

A beauty and food enthusiast with a decade of writing experience, Kinnari treats her skincare routine like a sacred ritual and views a gourmet meal as a daily necessity. Balancing her time between uncovering the latest beauty trends and taste-testing culinary delights, she’s always up for trying new products or savouring a delicious dish.
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