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How to Make Rice Water for Hair: DIY Rice Shampoo for Hair Growth

By Categories: Beauty

how to make rice water for hair
(Photo: CC0 Public Domain/pexels/Dennis Leinarts )

Do you know how to make rice water for hair? From women in 7th century Japan to the Kardashians, rice water shampoo for hair growth is a well-kept beauty secret. Here’s how to make it.

In our quest for hair care solutions that combine natural wellness with sustainable practices, we often rediscover age-old traditions. If you’re intrigued by the idea of using rice water shampoo and want to learn how to make rice water for hair yourself, you’re in the right place.

We’ll help you understand the steps involved in crafting a DIY rice shampoo, a beauty secret passed for promoting hair growth. We will also look at the process of rice water fermentation, an ancient practice that multiplies the benefits of this natural remedy, amplifying its potential for your hair’s health.

Benefits of Rice Water: Is Rice Water Good for Your Hair?

When it comes to nurturing and conditioning your hair, one might ask, “Is rice water good for your hair?” The answer resounds in cultures worldwide, particularly in China, Japan and the Philippines, where rice water has been a prized hair care ingredient for centuries.

Rice water is excellent for your hair, and offers a ton of nutrients. It is packed with amino acids, B vitamins, vitamin E, minerals and antioxidants. These nutrients play a crucial role in promoting hair growth, imparting strength, shine and elasticity while helping to reduce damage and breakage.

So, What Does Rice Water Do for Your Hair?

When you use it regularly, rice water can boost hair growth, stimulate follicles and improve the overall health of your hair. This makes homemade rice shampoo not just a DIY project but an opportunity to improve your hair’s health and growth.

How to Make Rice Shampoo for Hair

rice water rinse for hair
Bring that healthy shine back to your hair by shampooing regularly with rice water. (Photo: CC0 Public Domain / Pexels - Element5 Digital )

Before you can benefit from the wonders of rice water for hair growth, you must make it. This task requires minimal effort and fits seamlessly into your routine, especially if you regularly cook rice. Simply keep the cooking water during your next rice prep, strain it into a clean jar and you have your rice water ready.

Materials:

  • 1/2 cup of uncooked rice
  • 2-3 cups of water

Steps:

  1. Rinse the rice under cool water to eliminate any impurities.
  2. Place the rinsed rice in a bowl and add the water.
  3. Allow the rice to soak for about 30 minutes. This soaking period enables the nutrients from the rice to permeate into the water, forming the basis of your DIY rice shampoo.
  4. After 30 minutes, strain the rice water into a clean jar, discarding the rice.

Seal the jar tightly and store it in the fridge. The rice water can stay fresh for up to a week.

How to Use Rice Water Shampoo: Natural Hair Growth Remedy

After preparing your rice water, it’s time to experience its benefits for hair growth first-hand.

How to Use Rice Shampoo:

  1. Wash Your Hair: Start your routine as usual by washing your hair with your regular shampoo (try our DIY shampoo bar for an eco-friendly shampoo option!)
  2. Apply the Rice Water: Pour the homemade rice water onto your hair, ensuring you cover your scalp and all hair strands. For people with long or thick hair types, consider using a comb to distribute it evenly.
  3. Wrap Your Hair: Once your hair is thoroughly saturated with rice shampoo, wrap a towel around your head to keep the solution in place and aid absorption.
  4. Let It Sit: Allow the rice water to penetrate your hair and scalp for about 15 to 20 minutes. During this time, the nutrients from the rice water work their magic on your hair follicles.
  5. Rinse It Off: Finally, rinse your hair with lukewarm water to wash off the rice water.

Use this rice water shampoo several times a week for best results.

Rice Water Fermentation: A Boost for Your DIY Shampoo

Fermentation transforms food and beverages, enhancing their nutritional properties. When it comes to making rice water for hair, fermentation boosts the amino acids and vitamins in rice water, enhancing its benefits.

To ferment your rice water, simply leave the strained rice water at room temperature for 24-48 hours. This time allows natural fermentation to occur. After the fermentation period, you can refrigerate the rice water to stop the process.

Tip: fermented rice water has a strong smell. Cover it up with a few drops of essential oils like lavender, rosemary or tea tree oil, all of which are also excellent for hair health.

Are you interested in learning more about fermentation? Read our popular guides Pickling vs. Fermenting: What’s the Difference? and Fermenting Vegetables at Home: A Beginner’s Guide.

Side Effects of Rice Water for Hair: What You Need to Know

While rice water is a natural and typically safe hair care treatment, it’s always important to understand its potential side effects.

The side effects of rice water on hair include:

  1. Over Proteinization: Rice water is rich in amino acids, i.e., protein. While this protein is beneficial for hair health and growth, too much of it can lead to stiffness, dryness and breakage. If your hair becomes dry and brittle after using rice water, you may be using it too frequently or leaving it on for too long. Adjust the frequency of use or reduce the duration of each treatment accordingly.
  2. Allergic Reactions: Though rare, some people might be sensitive or allergic to rice or components found in rice water. If you experience any irritation, itching or redness after using rice water, stop using it immediately and consult with a healthcare professional if the symptoms persist.

Remember, the key to successful natural hair treatments is understanding your hair’s needs and paying attention to how it responds.

Rice Water Benefits: Not Just for Hair

rice water for skin
Rice water is a versatile product and can be integrated into several parts of your beauty routine! (Photo: CC0 Public Domain / Pexels - Sora Shimazaki )

Not only will rice water make your hair shiny, but you can use it for skin care too! Try it for mosquito bites, blemishes or stomach problems.

If you are prone to pimples, blackheads and blemished skin, you can use rice water as a DIY facial toner. Just dip a reusable makeup remover pad in some rice water and dab it on your face. For best results, use it every night after removing your makeup and leave it on overnight.

Tip: For even gentler care, you can also apply diluted rice water to your face. Simply mix 3 oz. of lukewarm water with one to two teaspoons of rice water.

Freeze it in an ice cube tray to use on irritated skin, insect bites or to treat sunburn.

Rice water is also considered good for digestion. For help with intestinal problems like diarrhea, drink it straight or mix it into juices and homemade smoothies.

Interested in more natural hair care solutions? Take a look:

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