Rice water has been touted as a miracle hair growth treatment for centuries, and for good reason. The starch, vitamins and minerals found in rice water can strengthen hair, improve its elasticity, and even promote new growth, too.
When introducing something new to our hair care routines, it can be hard to know when you can expect to see results. Whilst the answer may vary depending on the individual, we’re here to take a closer look at the benefits of rice water for hair growth and give you an idea of what kind of results you can expect. If you want to know how long it takes for rice water to grow your hair, then carry on reading!
For Readers in a Rush!
- Rice water’s high presence of vitamins and nutrients means it’s effective at stimulating growth and maintaining hair health.
- Results can be seen in as little as three weeks but significant growth will take up to six months to occur.
- In comparison to some other treatments, rice water is a more affordable way to encourage hair growth.
How Fast Does Rice Water Grow Hair?
It's hard to specify a time frame for hair growth when using rice water, as it will vary by person. Many people have reported seeing significant improvements in their hair's strength, texture and growth after using the water regularly for just a few weeks.
With regular use, rice water can fasten hair growth and you can start to see improvements in your hair in as little as two to three weeks, but it can take up to six months to see the full effects. How does a by-product of this staple foodstuff help hair grow, though?
How Does Rice Water Actually Work?
The use of rice water for hair dates as far back as 794 AD. Such is the effectiveness of this natural hair remedy for promoting growth that its use continues today. But why exactly does it work?
Rice water has a high level of starch as well as vitamins and minerals that increase the hair’s strength and elasticity and encourage hair growth. Combined with rice water’s rich amino acid content, this hair treatment thickens and volumizes hair, giving it both a full and healthy appearance.
Rice water also helps to balance out the scalp’s PH levels which improves hair follicle health to support growth. It has a protective nature that can help keep tresses safe from environmental damage, including UV rays, which can lead to dry, brittle hair that’s more prone to breakages.
What Factors Affect Rice Water’s Growth Rate?
Rice water effectiveness can be impacted by several factors, including:
- Hair type: The rate of hair growth can vary depending on the type of hair. People with naturally thick, coarse, or high porosity hair may see results faster than those with fine, limp hair.
- Scalp health: If you want healthy hair growth, then ensuring the health of your scalp is a must. If your scalp is damaged or irritated, then it may take longer for your hair to grow.
- Hormonal changes: Fluctuations in hormone levels can affect hair growth, for example, during the menopause and pregnancy.
- Genetics: The rate of hair growth in an individual is down to genetics.
- Diet: A healthy diet is essential for healthy hair growth. Eating a diet that’s rich in vitamins and minerals can help to promote hair growth.
- Damage: If your hair is damaged from excessive heat styling, chemical treatments, or excessive hair colour, then it can potentially take longer for your hair to grow.
Don’t forget, the process of hair growth is slow and it can often take months for changes to be noticed. There are lifestyle changes that you can make that will help to support the work of the rice water in hair growth. These include maintaining a healthy lifestyle, eating a well-balanced diet, and reducing stress (in both your personal and professional life).
Different Ways to Use Rice Water for Hair Growth
If you’re looking to use rice water as a hair growth treatment, here are the best methods:
Rice Water Rinse
Soak rice in water for about 20-30 minutes, strain the water and use it as a final rinse after shampooing and conditioning your hair. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing it off with water. Be sure to use a moisturising conditioner to counteract any dryness that the rice water can create, we love the Marula Leave In Conditioner for this purpose.
Marula Oil Leave in Conditioner
The Marula Oil Leave in Conditioner is jam-packed with natural high performing goodness, it can be used on its own without extra oils or butters. Say good-bye to the hassle of LOC or LCO method of conditioning. The Marula oil leave-in is a 3-in-1 as it works as a leave-in, is based on an oil and it’s a cream, saving you time and money.
Rice Water Spray
Use a pre-made formulation, such as the Rice Water and Green Tea Hair Tonic, or create your own by mixing rice water with aloe vera juice and a few drops of essential oil, such as rosemary or lavender, in a spray bottle. Spritz over hair as a daily mist or leave-in conditioner.
Rice Water and Green Tea Hair Tonic and Detangler
The Rice Water and Green Tea Hair tonic is jam-packed with natural, detangling and hydrating botanicals for refreshing hair daily. It is very effective on gym days when the hair is dried out from sweat so you can feel confident after a workout. The Rice Water and Green Tea hair tonic is also effective when used for detangling hair on wash days to save hours before applying the cleanser.
Rice Water Hair Mask
Mix rice water with honey and egg yolk, or add to a hair serum, such as the Black Seed Oil Hair Elixir, apply it to your hair, and leave it on for 30 minutes before washing it off.
When it comes to how often to use rice water on hair, we would only recommend once or twice per week, as prolonged exposure or overuse can cause damage that will further contribute to hair loss. Rice water should not be kept in hair for any longer than 18 hours.
Black Seed Hair Oil Elixir
This Black Seed Oil For Hair is enriched with Fenugreek, Brahmi and Bhringaraj ayurvedic oils, our first hair serum is your best bet to reaching your hair goals. Stop split ends, check. Stop itchy scalp, check. Help accelerate growth, check check check. We've jam-packed this little bottle with luxurious ingredients from the Caribbean, India and the Amazonian rainforest to give you longer, thicker, and stronger hair in less time.
Rice Water vs Other Growth Treatments
Of course, rice water isn’t the only natural treatment for hair growth, there are also some oils that are known to stimulate tresses such as black seed oil, or coconut oil, as well as non-natural options such as surgery and medication. Here, we list the benefits for some popular hair growth treatments as well as the budget category into which they fall:
| Hair Growth Treatment | Benefits for Hair Growth | Budget |
|---|---|---|
| Rice Water | • Strengthens hair • Improves elasticity • Promotes new growth• Thickens and volumizes hair • Nourishes hair• Balances scalp pH levels • Protects hair from environmental damage and UV rays |
£ |
| Black Seed Oil | • Stimulates hair growth • Strengthens hair • Reduces hair loss • Improves hair density • Nourishes hair and scalp • Improves hair elasticity |
£ |
| Coconut Oil | • Moisturises hair • Prevents protein loss • Promotes hair growth • Reduces hair breakage • Promotes hair strength • Adds shine |
£ |
| Onion juice | • Promotes hair growth • Strengthens hair • Reduces hair loss • Improves hair density • Nourishes hair and scalp • Improves hair elasticity |
£ |
| Surgery (Hair Transplant) | • Can provide a permanent solution for hair loss • Can improve hair density • Can restore a natural-looking hairline |
££££ |
| Medications (Minoxidil, Finasteride) | • Can slow hair loss and promote new growth • Should be used under medical supervision |
££ |
Conclusion
Ultimately, rice water hair results will vary depending on the individual. For the best results, you’ll need to use rice water consistently and, most of all, be patient. Whilst you may start to see signs of improvement within the first three weeks of use, it could be up to six months before you see significant change. Overall, Rice water is a natural remedy that can provide many benefits for hair growth and overall hair health, and in our view, it's certainly worth giving a try.
