July 1st 2023.
Rice isn't just for eating. If you're on a budget but still want to pamper yourself, raiding the kitchen is a great solution. Many of us have seen recipes for DIY masks online using ingredients like honey and avocado, and have incorporated coconut and olive oils into our skincare routine. Now, thanks to a recent trend on TikTok, rice is getting its time to shine for its purported abilities to make your hair do the same.
Rice has been used as a beauty treatment for generations in Asia, and now influencers around the world are touting it as a haircare hero. TikToks showing how to use rice water to get smooth, glossy locks have racked up millions of views, with some creators claiming it can 'heal your hair' and provide 'unbelievable' results.
The hack itself involves saving the excess water after cooking rice, pouring it on as a post-shampoo soak, leaving it on for 20 minutes or more, then rinsing off. According to those who swear by it, the starchy liquid can help detangle and smooth hair, adding a healthy sheen and helping promote growth.
It seems like magic, but not all social media hacks are created equal, and some can actually be damaging. To get the facts, we spoke to Dr Sharon Wong, a consultant dermatologist, hair specialist and British Skin Foundation spokesperson.
Dr Sharon said: "Rice water rinses for hair are an ancient tradition used for hundreds of years in East Asian countries. Women in the Heian period in Japan, who had floor-length hair, attributed this to bathing the hair in rice water. The practice was also adopted by the Yao women in Huangluo in China, who again credited their incredibly long hair and its retention of colour to the use of rice water."
Dr Sharon continued: "Rice is approximately 80% starch, and the water derived from soaking rice unsurprisingly contains starch, a complex carbohydrate, which coats the hair and makes it shiny and glossy – but also acts as a humectant to hydrate the scalp and hair. Rice water also contains the carbohydrate inositol, which studies have shown can penetrate and remain in the hair fibre even after rinsing, suggesting it may continue to help hydrate the hair from the inside after a wash. There are also amino acids that deposit onto the hair shaft for a strengthening, volumising and thickening effect to the hair, while reducing surface tension that makes strands more manageable and less prone to frizz."
According to Dr Sharon, the cosmetic benefits all sound plausible based on the raw materials rice water contains. However, it is worth noting that these reported results are anecdotal and speculative.
If you fancy giving it a go, TikTok user Katya Niomi shared her rice water recipe, which includes the option of adding citrus and essential oils for a lush scent, and fermenting your liquid for the biggest benefits. However, it's important to do a patch test before trying any new products on the skin or hair. This ensures you aren't allergic to any of the ingredients and that you'll get the desired results. Take some of the rice water and dab it behind your ear, covering with a plaster for a few hours. Next, soak an unseen strand of hair with the solution – ideally at the back of your head near the nape of your neck. If you start to notice irritation under the plaster or find your hair is reacting unexpectedly – either seeming dry or affecting your colour – wash off and avoid the treatment in future. If not, you'll be looking rice as nice in no time.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
