Rice to the rescue
RICE WATER HAS PROPERTIES THAT CAN ASSIST IN HAIR GROWTH. EXPERTS ELABORATE ON IT
Kim Kardashian is believed to massage rice water into her hair, which she says has made a “noticeable difference in growth” of her hair.
The Kardashian endorsement aside, using rice water — the water in which uncooked rice has been soaked boiled for some time — to strengthen and beautify hair isn’t new. The recipe has, in fact, been popular in eastern countries for years, dating back to the ancient Heian Period in Japan, when court ladies were known to have beautiful, long hair that unfurled to the floor.
Even as scientists and beauty enthusiasts today try to understand if rice water can indeed beautify and strengthen the hair, studies have found that inositol, a type of sugar found in rice water, can penetrate into damaged hair and repair it, inside-out.
Megha Dinesh, founder of
Meghavi Wellness and Spa, points out that there are indeed several historical and anecdotal evidences that suggest the many beauty and health benefits of rice.
“Especially in Eastern countries, different applications of rice are used for its pain relieving, skin softening and hair strengthening properties, to name a few,” she says.
Incidentally, rice — enriched with starch,
Vitamins B, C and E, and inositol— is also one of the very few grains in which both the grain and its husk have therapeutic properties.
Sharing the attributes of the above, Megha adds, “While starch induces flexibility and lustre, thus minimising brittleness and dullness, Vitamins B, C and E are known to stimulate the production of keratin — the protein that forms our hair. Moreover, the anti-oxidant properties of these vitamins also act as a shield to the constant exposure to pollution and other hair deterrents.”
Further, these combined with the benefits of inositol help slow down premature greying,
split ends and thinning of hair.
BETTERING WHAT’S ALREADY GOOD
Megha Dinesh also shares with us ways to get the most out of the rice.
“While the leftover water in which rice has been soaking for
3–4 hours is good, fermented rice water — made by letting the soaked leftover rice water ferment for 2 days — or even ice wine is considered a better option because fermented rice water has more antioxidants,” adds Megha, mildly cautioning, however, that it could have a peculiar smell.
In fact, according to another expert, Pooja Nagdev, who’s an aroma therapist, a cosmetologist and the founder of Inatur, fermented rice water is
Asia’s simplest and best-kept secrets for radiant skin and glossy hair.
“Rice water or rice wine has anti-ageing benefits and promotes collagen synthesis. When we include this in our daily care routine, it improves skin and hair health in the most natural and chemical-free way possible,” she elaborates.
No wonder the humble rice water has been increasingly gaining popularity.
APPLICATION NOTES
A typical rice water application is a replacement to the hair conditioner and is to be applied post shampoo. Once applied leave it on hair for 20–25 mins and then rinse it off with warm water. Needless to say, rice water equals a simple treat for lustrous, healthy locks!
Kim Kardashian shared her DIY concoction
of rice water for long and thick hair
Rice water or rice wine has antiageing benefits and promotes collagen synthesis. When we include this in our daily care routine, it improves skin and hair health in the most natural and chemical-free way possible
— POOJA NAGDEV, aroma therapist, a cosmetologist and
the founder of Inatur
While starch induces flexibility and lustre, thus minimising
brittleness and dullness, Vitamins B, C and E are known to stimulate the production of
keratin — the protein that forms our hair. Moreover, the anti-oxidant properties of these vitamins also act as a shield to the constant exposure to pollution and other hair
deterrents — Megha Dinesh, founder of
Meghavi Wellness and Spa