The very popular rice water hair growth challenge on TikTok that made about 260.6M views with popular content creators like Abbey Yung(@abbeyyung), Audrey Victoria (@audreyvictoria_), and mae.haircare (@mae.haircare) jumping in on this trend.
But is this haircare challenge just a hyped trend or is there science to back up the claims that washing with rice water can make your hair smoother and instantly promote hair growth? Let’s check out below.
What Is Rice Water
Rice water is a starch liquid after rinsing or soaking uncooked rice. It is popular in most Asian countries and is said to have different skincare and haircare benefits. One of it is using rice water as a hair rinse. It's a centuries-old remedy that you can easily make at home and claims to help keep your hair naturally healthy.
Benefits of Rice Water Rinse
A research study in 2010 found that ladies of Japan during the Heian Period kept beautiful floor length hair by bathing in rice water. Yu-Su-Ru, also called rice water, was found to be effective in increasing elasticity and reducing hair friction.
Japanese women have relied on rice water hair rinses to keep their black locks shiny and sleek for centuries. Beauty experts say it's because the shampoo-like liquid absorbs natural oils from a scalp with a lower pH level, which balances the scalp's pH, and prevents dandruff from forming.
Aside from the Japanese ladies during the Heian Period, it is also a known fact that the Yao Women of China’s secret to long shiny hair is by washing their hair with fermented rice water. This method had attracted a large number of beauty experts to examine and test the rice water rinse trick to grow long and beautiful locks.
Here are some benefits of trying the rice water rinse:
Benefit #1: Anti-Frizz Properties
Frizzy hair can be caused by dryness and broken hair. Rice water helps to fix this problem: its moisturizing agents seal in moisture and strengthen each strand to prevent further damage. It also goes a long way in fighting frizz, leaving your hair soft and manageable.
Benefit #2: Add Shine and Bounce
Unlike water that is full of chlorine and other chemicals, rice water will give your hair a nice shine without leaving it oily.
Benefit #3: Restore Softness and Elasticity
Rice water contains amino acids that are very beneficial for hair health because they help restore its natural elasticity, making it soft instead of brittle.
Benefit #4: Boost Nourishment & Manageability
The composition of nutrients in rice water includes vitamin B complex (niacin, riboflavin, thiamine and pantothenic acid), vitamin B6, E and C which help protect your hair from damage and improve overall strength and shine.
Benefit #5: Promote Hair Growth
Though it is not scientifically proven that rice water can make your hair grow, many advocates have expressed and claimed that it aids in growing your hair naturally fast. Rice water contains vitamins B1, B2, B6 and E as well as magnesium, potassium and proteins that all promote healthy hair growth.
Normal Vs Fermented Rice Water
Some people prefer to use fermented rice water and say that you can get the benefits more effectively than usual the normal rice water. Fermented water is rice water that has been soaked for a longer period of time (usually 1-2 days). According to the 2012 journal, fermentation gives off a higher amount of antioxidants.
How To Make Rice Water
Step 1: Take 1 cup of uncooked rice and rinse with water
Step 2: Soak for 30 minutes or leave it overnight (heating is optional)
Step 3: Strain the rice water into a jar or bottle spray
Step 4: Rinse or spray onto hair and leave it on for 30 minutes
Check out this tutorial from TikTok user @audreyvictoria_
@audreyvictoria_ HOW TO MAKE RICE WATER FOR EXTREME HAIR GROWTH ✨ #ricewater #ricewaterforhairgrowth #hairgrowth #hairtok #ricewaterhairchallenge #fyp ♬ Rasputin (Single Version) - Boney M.
P.S. Orange peel is optional
Before and After Hair Rinse
TikTok user @abbeyyung showed us her before and after result of using rice water hair rinse for a month and the results are amazing! Check out below:
@abbeyyung Rice water update 😍 #ricewater #ricewaterforhairgrowth #ricewaterhairchallenge #longhair #hairgrowth #learnontiktok #tiktokpartner ♬ Plastic - Unghetto Mathieu
Even famous American rapper Cardi B was seen using a rice water hair spray on this Instagram post:
What are you waiting for? Try it now and see the results for yourself!
Sources:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1468-2494.2010.00605_3.x
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321353#how-to-make