Fermented Rice Water For Hair Growth

Fermented rice water for hair is the “newest” hair care technique that's actually been around for thousands of years! Rice water can be used for a number of things, but it can do some pretty amazing things for hair and skin! Our favorite use for rice water though is to make the hair grow faster – plain and simple! This hair treatment is super quick and easy to do, and is also very cheap!

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If you scour the Internet for hair growth treatments, you'll come upon hundreds, if not thousands of different recipes and techniques. Some may work really well, while others may not, but one thing we do know for sure is that rice water DOES actually work!

There are other recipes which requires the boiling of rice, but that will only make rice water, and not fermented rice water, which is much more powerful and potent. The fermented version has a ton of beneficial vitamins and minerals which have been proven to help stimulate hair growth, strengthen weak strands, and also prevent hair loss.

While the word fermented might conjure up some pretty gross thoughts, rest assured that it's really not as bad as you think! Fermented rice water for hair growth has been used for centuries in China, specifically in ancient Chinese cultures. Long hair was always a sign of good health and fertility, and the Yao women would use this technique weekly to encourage growth, strength, and shine.

According to a 2010 study from the International Journal of Cosmetic Science,

Japanese women from the Heian period (794-1185 AD), whose beautiful long hair, called suberakashi, reached to the floor, were said to have combed their hair each day using Yu?Su?Ru (rinse water obtained from the washing of rice) . Rice is considered to be the most important food in the Japanese diet, and the historical fact that rice was used for hair care is very interesting. We therefore focused our attention on the Yu?Su?Ru hair care practice in the Heian Period, and examined its effects on hair. As a result, we found that Yu?Su?Ru exhibited hair care effects, such as reducing surface friction and increasing hair elasticity.

Abstracts of papers published in Journal of Cosmetic Chemists (SCCJ), Volume 44, No. 1, 2010

All the ingredients you need for this recipe are rice and water. This treatment works because of the minerals that around found in fermented rice water and therefore strengthens the hair follicles and promotes quick growth. This is because starchy water helps to close the cuticle down and therefore creates a smooth and shiny surface.

The more often you use this rice water treatment, the quicker your hair will bounce back to health. Within the first application, you should notice smoother, shinier hair. After a few weeks of usage, you'll start to see a difference in the quality of your hair. The strands will be stronger, and that means there will be less breakage and less split ends. New growth should also start to appear, and will continue to do so as long as you are consistent with the application.

The regular use of the rice water is almost guaranteed to help improve hair texture, smoothness, and shine. After about a month or two, you'll notice hair will grow longer and faster.

DIY Fermented Rice Water Recipe:

Benefits of Rice Water on Hair:

The benefits of rice water on hair are plentiful! Rice water contains a ton of healthy vitamins and minerals which can aid in hair growth and strength. Selenium, magnesium, vitamins B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, and B6, as well as folic acids, amino acid, vitamin K, and niacins. All of these vitamins and minerals are crucial for healthy hair growth.

• Helps hair grow faster
• Strengthens hair follicles
• Hydrates the hair and scalp
• Prevents bacteria and other scalp diseases
• Prevents dandruff
• Moisturizes dry, itchy scalp
• Adds shine and vitality to dull hair
• Heals damaged hair

Because rice water is so rich in vitamins and minerals, this method will work especially well on natural hair, but ALL hair types and styles can benefit from this method. The growth and strength you'll notice will really blow your mind!

You'll Need:

• 1/2 cup raw, long grain uncooked white rice (brown rice is too rich and contains way too much protein, while white long grain rice is just perfect for this!). There is no need for special rice, this is simply cooking rice!
• 2 cups water
• essential oils – optional. After being fermented for so long, the rice water will start smelling very bad, so adding some essential oils will help combat the stench!
• mason jar or any other clean jar with a lid

Directions:

1. Add 1/2 cup of rice (uncooked) and 2 cups of water into the mason jar. Shake the jar well and let sit for a couple of hours.
2. Strain the liquid and pour it back into the jar. You can discard the rice or use it for cooking! Straining the rice will ensure that all the dirt is removed.
3. Leave the rice water to sit at room temperature for a day or two (at least 24 hours) or until it develops a sour smell (this is the fermentation process!).
4. Once fermentation occurs, add 2 more cups of water to the jar and store in the refrigerator for another day.
5. Your rice water will then be ready to use!

How to Use:

There are several ways you can use the rice water to strengthen and encourage growth.

1. Pour the rice water into a spray bottle and spray directly onto hair. Make sure to saturate entire head. Leave on for as little as 20 minutes to 30 minutes, but we recommend a total of 45 minutes. Wash out and shampoo and condition as usual. Repeat twice a week.
2. Add the rice water to any hair mask. Simply substitute the liquid in the mask recipe for the rice water. If the recipe doesn't call for any liquid, simply add in about 1 tbsp of the rice water.
3. Rinse hair with rice water. After shampooing, rinse your hair with the rice water and follow up with a conditioner. Rinsing your hair with rice water will give your strands an added boost of vitamins and minerals they otherwise wouldn't get. It also helps to cleanse and de-gunk hair, leaving hair shiny and soft.

Be sure to use the rice water consistently for best results! I like to use my rice water at least twice a week!

Other Uses for Fermented Rice Water

While rice water can be used to strengthen, grow, and prevent hair fall, it can also be used for other purposes as well. Because rice water helps to restore the hair's natural pH, it can also prevent the production of dandruff. This can improve overall hair health and also add a ton of shine to otherwise dull, lackluster hair.

Another great benefit of rice water is as a skin toner. Rice water is packed full of vitamins and minerals. Therefore, it can balance the skin's pH, making it the perfect toner for all skin types. Simply use a cotton ball to apply the rice water to the skin, just like would you any toner.

You can also use rice water to wash your face with! Instead of using regular water, use rice water and start seeing some amazing benefits! Pro tip: add some organic essential oils to your rice water. Not only will it make it smell nice, but it can also help fight off specific problems.

Skin Benefits:

• Tightens pores – with regular use, you will see smaller pores, less blackheads and whiteheads, and smoother, softer skin.
• Encourages collagen production – with age, our skin looses collagen, which makes it looser and saggier. Helps to boost collagen production, preventing premature aging and keeping fine lines and wrinkles at bay.
• Balances the skin's pH – over time, the skin's pH will become more balanced, which means less excess oil production and no dry patches.
• Prevent acne and breakouts – less acne and breakouts with regular uses due to its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.
• Controls excess sebum production – with regular use, skin becomes less oily and a lot more balanced.
• Helps tone skin – those with uneven skin tone can greatly benefit from rice water as it helps to fade away irregular tones, dark spots, acne scars, age spots, and sun spots.
• Prevents premature aging by slowing down the aging process
• Tightens skin
• Leave skin soft and supple

Video:

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