RICE WATER FOR HAIR? DOES IT EFFECTIVE

For a long time, people have been talking about a special beauty trick that families have been sharing for years: rice water. This simple liquid, left over from cooking or soaking rice, has become really popular online. People say it can make your hair shiny, help it grow faster, and stop it from breaking. But is rice water really as amazing as everyone says, or is it just a trend that will fade away? Let’s find out the real facts by looking at the science behind its claims, getting tips on how to use it, and hearing honest opinions from people who love taking care of their hair, just like you.

RICE WATER BENEFITS

FASTER GROWING HAIR

Using rice water for hair growth is like giving your hair a nourishing treat because it’s packed with fantastic ingredients. A key component is amino acids, which act as the building blocks for proteins. Since our hair is primarily composed of the protein keratin, the amino acids in rice water can strengthen our hair, promoting faster growth.

Moreover, rice water is a treasure trove of essential vitamins like B, C, and E, acting as superheroes for our hair. Vitamin B is especially beneficial for hair growth, ensuring our hair follicles remain healthy. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, maintaining the well-being of our scalp, while vitamin E acts as a protective shield, keeping our hair nourished and safe.

But the benefits don’t stop there! Rice water also contains a special carbohydrate called inositol, a superhero carb that repairs hair damage and acts like a shield, guarding against breakage. Inositol also functions as a moisturizer, adding flexibility and preventing our hair from becoming excessively dry, which is crucial for maintaining overall hair health and strength.

DETANGLES THE HAIR

When applied to hair, rice water helps to smooth out knots and snarls, making the combing or brushing process much easier. This detangling effect not only saves time but also reduces the risk of hair breakage, leaving your hair feeling smoother and more manageable.

The magic behind rice water’s detangling prowess lies in its composition of amino acids and proteins, which work together to soften the hair and minimize friction. By incorporating rice water into your hair care routine, you can enjoy the practical advantage of tangle-free hair, all while indulging in the simplicity of this age-old beauty secret.

THICKER AND SHINIER HAIR

Experience the transformative magic of rice water for thicker and shinier hair. Enthusiasts swear by the natural benefits of rice water, claiming that it adds volume and thickness to hair strands. The amino acids and proteins present in rice water are thought to fortify each hair strand, enhancing its structural integrity and contributing to a fuller appearance. Beyond thickness, rice water is also praised for its ability to impart a dazzling shine to your locks. Rich in vitamins B, C, and E, rice water nourishes and protects the hair shaft, leaving it with a radiant luster. 

Incorporating rice water into your hair care routine might just be the key to achieving that coveted combination of thickness and shine, giving you the confidence to flaunt your radiant mane.

REVERSES HYGRAL FATIGUE

Keeping your hair moisturized is good for its health, but too much moisture can cause problems. If your hair gets too much moisture, it might experience something called hygral fatigue. This happens when your hair soaks up too much water during moisturizing, making the hair cuticle bulge and stretch. This can make your hair break easily, lose its stretchiness, and get damaged.

To fix and balance your hair, you can use rice water. The proteins in rice water are believed to help with hygral fatigue by making your hair stronger. When you add protein to your hair using rice water, it can restore balance, make your hair stronger overall, and stop more damage from happening. Adding protein treatments, like using rice water, to your hair routine is a good way to make sure your hair has the right balance of moisture and protein, helping it stay strong and flexible.

SOFTER HAIR

Rice water is famous for making hair really nice. One cool thing it does is make your hair super soft and smooth. When you use it on your hair, it makes it easier to manage, and you can feel how soft it is. The special thing about rice water is that it has good stuff like amino acids, vitamins, and inositol. These things work together to feed and hydrate your hair, making it less frizzy and improving how it feels overall.

You can use rice water by itself or mix it into hair masks. It’s like a gentle and moisturizing treatment that makes your hair softer and shinier. People love using rice water because it’s a natural and awesome way to make your hair feel really nice and easy to touch.

WHO SHOULD USE RICE WATER?

The cool thing is, rice water is good for many types of hair, whether you colored it or not. It helps fine or dull hair become stronger and shinier, and if you have curly hair, it gives it more bounce. If your hair is damaged or thinning, the inositol in rice water can help it grow and become thicker.

But here’s a tip: if your hair doesn’t soak up things easily (low porosity hair), it’s better to use a little bit of rice water. This is because the proteins might stick to your hair instead of getting inside. Not sure if your hair soaks up stuff easily? You can try a simple test to find out.

HOW TO USE RICE WATER FOR HAIR

PREPARE THE RICE WATER

Using rice water on your hair is a straightforward process that begins with preparing the rice water. Start by rinsing one cup of rice thoroughly to get rid of any impurities. Place the rinsed rice in a bowl and add two to three cups of water. Let the rice soak for 15 to 30 minutes, allowing the water to absorb the beneficial nutrients from the rice. During this time, gently swirl or knead the rice to facilitate the release of compounds.

STRAIN THE RICE WATER

Once the soaking is complete, strain the rice from the water. The liquid you have now is your homemade rice water, rich in nutrients that can benefit your hair.

RINSE OR SOAK

There are two main methods for applying rice water to your hair: rinsing and soaking. For the rinsing method, pour the rice water onto your hair after shampooing, massaging it into your scalp and strands before thoroughly rinsing. Alternatively, you can immerse your hair in a bowl of rice water for 10 to 30 minutes, allowing your hair to absorb more nutrients during the soaking process.

MASSAGE AND COMB

Regardless of the method you choose, take a moment to massage the rice water gently into your scalp. This helps distribute the nutrients and stimulates blood circulation. Use a wide-tooth comb to ensure even distribution of the rice water from the roots to the tips of your hair.

RINSE AGAIN

After massaging and combing, rinse your hair thoroughly with plain water. This step ensures that any residue is washed away, leaving your hair clean and refreshed.

ADJUST FREQUENCY

Begin by using rice water once a week and observe how your hair responds. Adjust the frequency based on your hair’s needs and your personal preferences.

OPTIONAL ADDITIONS

To enhance the experience, consider customizing your rice water treatment. Add a few drops of essential oils like lavender or rosemary for a pleasant fragrance and potential additional benefits to your hair.

HOW TO MAKE RICE WATER FOR HAIR

Here’s how to make rice water at home in an easy way:

  • Take 2 cups of rice and add 4 cups of water to it. That’s a 1:2 ratio of rice to water, and it’s important to keep this balance.
  • Put everything into a glass bottle, close it tightly, and leave it in a dark place at room temperature for 8 to 16 hours. While the rice sits, the water should turn foggy white.
  • After the rice has soaked, get an empty container (a spray bottle is a good choice for easy use) and strain the rice water into it.
  • If you have any rice water left after using it, you can keep it in the fridge for up to 5 days. But if it starts to smell funny, like sour, toss it out because it might harm your hair.

BEST RICE WATER HAIR PRODUCTS

Mielle Rice Water Hydrating Shampoo

Mielle Rice Water Hydrating Shampoo is crafted to provide nourishment and moisture to dry or thirsty hair. Enriched with the goodness of rice water, it aims to strengthen and revitalize strands, promoting overall hair health. This hydrating shampoo is designed to be a refreshing and effective choice for those looking to infuse their hair care routine with the benefits of rice water, leaving the hair feeling cleansed, revitalized, and moisturized.

Briogeo Don’t Despair Repair Rice Water Protein + Moisture Strengthening Treatment

Briogeo’s protein-infused treatment, available at $44 on sephora.com, features a rice protein complex sourced from rice water, along with proteins, ferment, and oil. This combination is designed to safeguard hair from potential damage, making it a great choice for those with dry and brittle hair seeking assistance in improving elasticity.

 WOW Skin Science Rice Water Conditioner

Packed with beneficial elements such as rice water, rice keratin, and the calming fragrance of lavender oil, the WOW Skin Science Rice Water Conditioner is specially formulated for damaged, dry, and frizzy hair, offering thorough care. The inclusion of rice water extract, known for its antioxidants, amino acids, zinc, and magnesium content, works to strengthen and add shine, while rice keratin contributes to improving hair texture. Lavender oil, rich in phytonutrients, not only stimulates the scalp but also soothes irritation, providing a rejuvenating experience for both hair and scalp. With these powerful ingredients, this conditioner leaves your hair feeling silky, easy to manage, and less prone to breakage.

Pattern Beauty Treatment Mask

Created specifically for coils and curls, this mask, available for $25 on ulta.com, provides slip, elongation, and definition to curly hair. It incorporates softening and strengthening components such as rice water ferment and moringa seed extract.

FAQ

1. How long should I leave rice water in my hair?

You can leave rice water in your hair for about 15 to 30 minutes before rinsing it out.

2. Who shouldn’t use rice water for hair?

People with low porosity hair should use rice water in moderation as the proteins may attach to the hair rather than being absorbed.

3. Does rice water stop hair loss?

Uncertain. Scientific research on its effectiveness is limited, and individual results may vary.

CONCLUSION

Nowadays, the use of natural methods is increasingly popular because of their benign nature. In addition to rice water, mention can be made of tea tree oil and rosemary oil. The use of rice water for hair has become popular, with anecdotal evidence showing various benefits such as improved shine, strength, and hair growth. While some studies suggest positive effects, more robust scientific research is needed to determine the exact effectiveness of rice water on hair. Each individual’s experience may vary, and it is essential that each individual approaches this natural treatment with awareness and consideration of his or her specific hair needs.

14 BEST HEAT-PROTECTANT SPRAYS

With these styling tools, it’s almost hard to resist the heat needed to create the style and achieve that salon-worthy “do,” whether you blow-dry, curl, or wave your hair. However, there are several things you can do to lessen the impact of using a lot of heat during styling. This entails using a heat protectant product, which is made up of particular components meant to give hair a layer of defense against some of the drying effects of heat styling. 

Many hairstylists believe that these 14 best heat-protectant sprays are necessary to maintain strong, healthy hair because of their capacity to withstand heat. These are our favorite selections for the best heat protectants, whether you’re looking for a frizz-taming cream or a multipurpose spray.

IGK GOOD BEHAVIOUR SPIRULINA PROTEIN SMOOTHING SPRAY

Naturally, the heat-protectant compound from Good Behavior is one of the more potent ones on the list. This is due to its ability to hold styles and smooth strands while providing up to 450° of heat protection. With its 24-hour frizz control and protection against heat and UV rays, it’s the ideal heat-protectant spray for all hair types. Just be careful not to use this every day in between washes as it can cause some build-up. Overall, this is probably the best heat protectant for hair.

CHI 44 IRON GUARD THERMAL PROTECTION SPRAY

Chi’s Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray smells fantastic in addition to being really reasonably priced. It also doesn’t have any accumulation problems, so you can use it often without experiencing any problems. It works wonders on all hair types, however, because it covers the hair so thoroughly, applying it can feel a touch wet. Advice: It’s a good idea to hold off on using your hot tools for a few seconds after using this heat protectant if you have fine hair. 

BUMBLE AND BUMBLE BB. ILLUMINATED BLONDE PURPLE LEAVE IN SPRAY

Blonde hair is the target audience for the Bumble and Bumble Bb.Illuminated Blonde Purple Leave In Spray. Not only does it provide excellent heat protection (up to 450 degrees) and fight frizz, but it’s also the greatest heat protectant spray for balancing brassiness, which helps keep your color looking great between salon visits. Highlighting the list of ingredients are common hydrating and moisturizing oils like glycerin, macadamia seed oil, and argan oil. 

AFRICAN PRIDE CASTOR MIRACLE ANTI-HUMIDITY HEAT PROTECTANT SPRAY

Pride Black Castor Miracle Anti-Humidity Heat Protectant Spray can protect hair from heat up to 400 degrees, making it the greatest heat-protectant spray for people with curly hair. The moisturizing nature of this heat protectant hair spray is especially beloved by the hairdresser; it has elements like “a keratin complex to smooth the hair shaft and block frizz, and black castor that nourishes the scalp and helps to promote hair growth.”

LIVING PROOF PERFECT HAIR DAY HEAT STYLING SPRAY

Perfect Hair Day Heat Styling Spray by Living Proof not only functions as a heat shield but also functions as a dry shampoo and texturizer. Because of this, it’s a great choice for the finest heat protectant spray for people who have fine hair and want to add some volume. It works wonders on oily hair as well. Just be aware that it could be a little drying if your hair has just been washed. This heat-protectant hair spray, according to the company, also leaves hair smooth and soft for up to 48 hours. No doubt, this is one of the best heat protectants for fine hair.

DPHUE COLOR FRESH PROTECTION SPRAY

The best product for color-treated hair of all types and colors” is dpHUE Color Fresh Heat Protection Spray. This heat-protectant hair spray not only guards against heat damage but also prevents color fading caused by styling equipment. Emollients are included to smooth, gloss, and soften hair, while a humidity-protectant shield reduces frizz. On the other hand, your hair could feel greasy or heavy if you spray too much.

OGX PROTECTING + SILK BLOWOUT QUICK DRYING THERMAL SPRAY

Searching for the best drugstore heat protectant? With the ability to shield hair from heat up to 450 degrees, take into consideration the OGX Protecting + Silk Blowout Quick Drying Thermal Spray. While shielding hair from heat damage, this heat-protectant hair spray helps to shorten the drying time of hair. It has quinoa and hydrolyzed silk, which will keep hair looking strong and healthy.

OUAI HEAT PROTECTION SPRAY

This heat protection spray from Ouai smells amazing, much like all of their products. It is designed specifically to shield hair from heat damage from blowouts and styling appliances. You end up using less product because of how nicely the nozzle coats the hair evenly. It undoubtedly gives the hair a lot more shine and resistance to moisture. For thick and fine hair equally, this is the greatest heat-protectant spray. It will give out a gorgeous scent, sheen, and volume that will entice you to spray it everywhere. Simply remember that applying should be done with the bottle at least six inches away from your head because it applies quite strongly otherwise. 

OLAPLEX NO.9 BOND PROTECTOR

Red algal extract, which binds to the hair to repel pollutants and gives antioxidants to the cuticle, is an ingredient in this heat-protectant spray for hair. Additionally, it has the brand’s own bonding technology, which can restore severely damaged hair and provide smoother, healthier-looking hair. We wholeheartedly suggest this Olaplex hair serum if you’re searching for an incredibly lightweight product that will also help control frizz, increase shine, and offer heat protection.

AMIKA BLOCKADE

This is a fantastic choice if all you’re looking for is a serum that protects it from heat damage and gives it shine. Despite containing nourishing fatty acids from sea buckthorn, the formula isn’t as hydrating as other options, but you’ll love how lightweight and simple it is to work into your hair. Because it shields your hair from heat up to 450 degrees, it’s an excellent choice if you use heat tools frequently. It’s useful for touch-ups and restyling because it works on both damp and dry hair. 

VERB GLOSSY SHINE SPRAY WITH HEAT PROTECTION

In particular, if you dislike the sensation or inconvenience of applying hair treatments with your hands, heat protectant sprays are incredibly practical and simple to use. In addition, spray compositions are typically lighter than serums and creams. This multipurpose hair spray not only shields hair strands from heat up to 428 degrees, but it also functions as a shine spray. Squalane is used in the product to add moisture and shield the skin from further harm, while peach and rosehip oils are used to moisturize and boost shine.

SHU UEMURA DESIGN BLOW DRY CREAM

While some heat-protectant creams may feel weighed down in the hair, this one doesn’t. Its smooth, weightless texture makes it effortless to apply, and we adore how little goes a long way with it. It’s an excellent option for a variety of hair types because it doesn’t feel greasy or too slippery when applied. You may notice a noticeable improvement in smoothness, a decrease in frizz, and a noticeable shine after applying it to damp hair and blow dry it. We recommend giving this cream formula a try if you’ve had trouble finding one that protects your hair from heat damage without making it appear greasy or weighed down. 

MIZANI HEAT SCREEN HAIR PROTECTANT SPRAY

It’s likely that you have dry hair and dryness on the scalp if you have coily or natural hair. This is why you want to apply a moisturizing heat protectant that doesn’t weigh down or look greasy on your hair. Rose water in the product will give it some hydration, but it won’t feel or look heavy. This makes it a fantastic option for you because you can easily spray it at your roots and lengths for an even coat of protection. Additionally, this solution protects against heat up to 450 degrees, which is useful for persons with coily hair who typically need to use heat tools at rather high temperatures in order to create their preferred style. 

GISOU HEAT PROTECTING SPRAY

Finding genuinely light and non-greasy hair products is crucial for those with fine hair since they will otherwise have greasy-looking, weighed-down hair. Because sprays are often lighter than creams or serums, they’re a wonderful choice for people with thin hair. This particular spray features an ultra-light mix and a fine mist. The correct amount of the formula is distributed equally by the mister on it. It has propolis, a bee-produced resin-like material rich in nutrients that strengthens hair. Even though it costs more than other comparable products on the market, it’s a great alternative for those with fine hair who have trouble finding heat protectants that feel light enough for them without sacrificing effectiveness.

FINAL TAKEAWAY

Although employing hot equipment is an essential part of styling, investing in the best straightener won’t do anything if you don’t use the best heat-protectant sprays or creams beforehand. Stylists always advise using a protective spray to help avoid the dryness, frizz, and split ends that come with using hot tools—whether it be a curling iron, flatiron, or blow-dry brush—even if you’re just doing a quick blow-dry to get you out the door.