TikTok trends add a fun twist to life, but they take on a whole new level of fascination when they have roots in ancient history. Take, for example, the use of rice water for enhancing hair health. Historical accounts reveal that during the Heian Period (794-1185), Japanese court ladies combed Yu-Su-Ru, a water derived from washing rice, through their hair daily to maintain its impressive length. This beauty ritual, involving pouring rice water over the hair, has stood the test of time in countries like India, China, Korea, and Japan.
Now, you might wonder, does this age-old beauty secret actually work? Well, it's not just a myth. Fermented rice water seems to be a practical approach to achieving healthy hair, endorsed by dermatologists and trichologists as suitable for all hair types.
What Is Rice Water?
Rice water is exactly what it sounds like—the water left behind after cooking or soaking rice. This starchy liquid is a powerhouse of benefits that contribute to hair strength. Packed with antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins, and inositol, rice water enhances the shine and strength of your hair. Whether you aim to grow or strengthen your locks, or both, treating your hair with rice water might just be the key to realizing your hair dreams. Additionally, it boosts shine, smoothes locks, and detangles strands, offering a myriad of benefits for your hair.
Benefits of Rice Water For Hair
Ahead are some of the benefits you can achieve by adding rice water rinse in your hair routine:
- Just as protein is vital for a balanced diet, it plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy hair. The protein in rice water is believed to enhance overall hair condition, resulting in stronger and more resilient strands. Advocates of rice water suggest that the starchy solution can add a radiant luster to dull hair, based on anecdotal evidence.
- Rice water may stimulate hair growth as it contains amino acids supporting hair regeneration, along with vitamins C, B, and E known for promoting hair growth. These vitamins strengthen the hair shaft, contributing to longer and healthier hair. While hair needs moisture for health, excessive moisture can be detrimental. To address overly moisturized locks, a rice water rinse with its protein content can help rebalance and counter hygral fatigue.
- Proponents claim that rice water can soften hair strands, making them easier to detangle during the hair care routine. Nourishing proteins in rice water can counteract damage and high porosity in hair, reducing breakage, frizz, and split ends, ultimately improving hair texture.
How To Use Rice Water For Hair
I would recommend for optimal results, consider using rice water as a pre- or post-shampoo scalp and hair mask:
- Apply rice water to the scalp and hair, allowing it to sit for 20 minutes before shampooing and conditioning. Another way is to begin with a shampoo session, followed by applying rice water. Allow it to sit for five minutes before rinsing, conditioning, and detangling. Remember to use a conditioner afterward, as rice water is starch-based and can dry out the hair. For those with dry hair, it might be advisable to skip the treatment.
Wrap Up
So, not every TikTok trend is just something for fun or for fame, this ancient beauty hack is actually holy-grail for so many people, no wonder we saw this beauty hack trending all over the internet for years. While every hack has its pros and cons, I would suggest to try and test on your hair and then you can decide whether it works for your hair type or not. But overall, rice water for hair is a beneficial way to boost growth and health.
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