Whilst doing the curly girl method there are many treatments available to nature you hair. In this guide we look at the the rice water rinse for curly hair and how it can help restructure your hair and help it to grow. Using the rice water method as a rinse has been seen to have its benefits for hair for many years. It’s been known to aid hair growth, smooth the hair cuticle and strengthen it. The Rice water trend can be beneficial to all Hair types.
What is a rice water rinse and what are the benefits?
A rice water rinse is a treatment for hair made from plain cooking rice. By method of soaking, boiling or fermenting the rice you can extract nutrients which help to target hair problems. The benefits of rice water for hair remains' unproven but there is no denying that it does have an effect on the hair. It is largely down to one vitamin found in rice which is Inositol and the proteins found in the rice. Inositol is loosely known as a B vitamin and is used throughout our medical world for a variety of health problems and is normally taken orally. However the effects on the hair for growth have been seen and it can also help strengthen the hair shaft and fill the cuticle. Rice water is excellent if your hair is damaged by sun or simply has lost its shine and curl.
Is a rice water rinse a deep conditioner?
No. A Rice water rinse does not do deep conditioning as such it acts more like a protein treatment for smoothing purposes.
Can I use rice water instead of conditioner?
Yes you can but it depends if you think your hair needs more protein or more moisture or both! It also depends on your hair type if your hair feels dry and unmanageable after a rice protein treatment than you must condition. Personally I always do.
How do I know if my hair needs protein or moisture?
How does your hair feel? Your hair may feel really soft or have that mushy feeling after conditioning. Does you hair feel dry or break easily? Your hair may also be hard at retaining moisture and keeping its curl.
Hair needs a balance of protein and moisture and often the protein moisture balance is off kilter. An easy way to tell the difference is by doing the hair strand test.
Take a strand of hair and gently pull. If the strand snaps straight away it needs moisture and you will need a moisturising deep conditioner.
If the hair strand stretches really long before breaking off and then snaps then you have too much moisture and you need some protein to add some structure. Now is the time to try a protein treatment deep conditioner such as a rinse rinse.
Rice water ingredients are ;
- amino acids ( protein )
- antioxidants ( particularly more concentrated when fermenting rice water )
- B vitamins (Inositol)
- Minerals
- Vitamins C and E
When should I do a rice water rinse?
Experiment with how often you do a rice water rinse. You can do it weekly or monthly depending on your hairs need. If your hair is lacking shine and feeling brittle or mushy try a rinse. Start slowly with a rinse for a few minutes and gradually experiment with leaving it on longer.
Is rice water rinse a protein treatment?
Yes, amino acids are found in rice water and these are proteins. Your hair is made of a protein called keratin. Without protein your hair can become brittle and weak and needs the optimal balance of protein and moisture to aid healthy hair and growth.
How to do a rice water rinse, the recipe for rice water;
This is the rice water recipe;
There are 3 ways to make rice water rinse for your hair, boiling, soaking and fermenting. You will use this water to rinse and coat your hair. You can then add other ingredients to the water if necessary.
Making rice water by soaking your rice
Soaking your rice is the least concentrated way of doing a rice water rinse making it the ideal way to start out.
- Use a small cup of rice
- Rinse the rice briefly to remove dirt particles.
- Add a couple of cups of water
- Leave to sit for about 30 minutes or a bit longer until the water looks cloudy.
- Strain the rice keeping the water.
Boiling your rice
You can boil your rice to make rice water. This can be the least effective as it is said to boil out some of the nutrients in the rice. I have however found this to work and can be a really quick way to do it when you are in a hurry.
- Use one cup of rice
- Rinse rice
- Place in a pan with two cups of water
- Boil for about 15mins or until you see cloudy white water
- Strain rice retaining the water
Fermenting your rice water
Fermenting rice water can be a more potent way of making a rinse. The smell can be quite sour especially after 48 hours which makes it my personal least favorite method. As this contains bacteria it is not recommend it for anyone who is immune compromised or pregnant.
- Use one cup of rice
- Rinse rice
- Add two cups of water
- Leave to sit and ferment at room temp for 24-48 hours
- Either dilute the water as it and can be overly potent or add some conditioner to it.
Store your rice water in the fridge for up to three days
What can I add to a rice water rinse?
You can add oils to the rice water particularly if using the fermented method and you do not like the smell. Try some lavender oil or some orange peel. You can even use lavender from your garden just strain it out again with the rice. You can also add oils which penetrate the hair shaft to your rinse such as coconut oil or avocado oil.
Add some conditioner
To save time you can add your deep conditioner to the rice water to create your own all in one treatment. Once you have your water ready add a few spoonful's of a moisturising conditioner to your hair. Leave on for 30 minutes or so and then and rinse and style as usual.
How to apply the Rice Water Rinse and routine
There are many ways of applying a rice water rinse.
Step 1 wash
Wash your hair with your normal method, Co-wash, Lo-poo, or Clarify
Step 2 apply
If soaking your rice water it will be runnier so it would be a good idea to rinse with a jug and a bowl catching all of the drips. Leave for a few minutes in your hair before rinsing with warm water.
For boiling or fermenting without conditioner apply to hair massage in and leave on in a shower cap for anywhere between 5 and 30 minutes. Experiment with time and start off with only a few minutes.
Step 3 Condition
After the rice water rinse, rinse off and apply your deep conditioner as your hair can feel dry after. Then rinse and style as usual.
If applying conditioner at the same time as rice water mix it together and apply as one and leave on under a shower cap then rinse and style.
Are there products I can use instead of a rice water rinse?
Yes you can use many different products containing protein and this can be an easy fix if your hair desperately needs it. However a Rice water rinse is a cheap and effective way of giving your hair a much needed protein treatment.
Is a Rice water rinse a clarifying treatment?
No rice water is not a clarifying treatment, it will not remove impurities or build up. Rice water is a natural treatment to enhance and define shine, smooth cuticles strengthen your hair.
