So if you care about science and you only want to try remedies that are officially approved, rice water isn’t the best choice. Dr. Rabach suggests people with dry scalps use caution as well. Hill points to a 2002 study that found that starch in rice water helped heal damaged skin in people with dermatitis, but adds that although relief might be experienced from the use of rice water in one dermatitis case study, it could exacerbate the condition in another. Don’t use with: Since rice water already contains protein, avoid using with another protein treatment so as to not overdo it.

Works well with: Depending on your hair concern, you can combine rice water with acv, baking soda, or even tea, to treat hair. The big selling point, though, is hair growth. Legend has it that rice water helped women of the imperial court during Japan’s Heian period grow floor-length hair. The long tresses were called kurokami. Though rice water is considered safe for all hair types, frequency and duration of use should be adjusted for weak and damaged hair. According to a 2012 study, fermented substances have a higher amount of antioxidants. Antioxidants may combat hair and skin cell damage, which is why they are typical ingredients in beauty products.

In case you’re dealing with tangles – start using rice water, as it’s going to make wonders for your hair:

It depends on the formulation and how you use one (particularly when it comes to washing it out properly). Today’s offering delivers results that are kind to hair and tend to be more eco-conscious, giving shampoo in traditional plastic bottles a run for their money. From how to use one to 12 of the best solid shampoo bars for all hair types, here’s what you need to know. Multitaskers, rejoice: Dinner and a ‘do is on the table. There’s no reason for you to throw out all that rice after making rice water, says Dr. Khetarpal. Nothing in the process makes the rice inedible. Aside from depleting your pantry supplies, there’s little reason to worry about using rice water on your hair. “There are no harmful chemicals or additives to it, so that really limits your risk of damage,” says Dr. Khetarpal.After one minute: My hair already felt different. It seemed to have some sort of outer coating, or a thin shell, around each strand, protecting my hair as I brushed through it. Usually my hair is breaking as I work my detangling brush through my hair. But this time, my hair held its own. Inamasu, S., Ikuyama. R., Fujisaki, Y., & Sugimoto, K. I. (2010, September 1). Abstracts: The effect of rinse water obtained from the washing of rice (YU-SU-RU) as a hair treatment [Abstract]. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 32(5), 392–393 Can help hair grow: "Rice water may promote hair growth because it contains amino acids that support hair regeneration. It also contains vitamins C, B, and E, which promote hair growth as well. Vitamins C, B, and E help strengthen the hair shaft, and the stronger the shaft, the longer the hair can grow," explains Chimento. De Paepe, K., Hachem, J. P., Vanpee, E., Roseeuw, D., & Rogiers, V. (2002). Effect of rice starch as a bath additive on the barrier function of healthy but SLS-damaged skin and skin of atopic patients [Abstract]. ActaDermato-Venereologica, 82(3), 184–186 And today in China, rice water is part of a regimen that earned the town of Huangluo a Guinness Book of World Records designation as the “World’s Longest Haired Village.”

Take note of the way your hair and scalp feels after the treatment. If you like the way things are looking and feeling, rice water might just be the thing your hair needed all along. But if your hair is feeling worse off than before, welp, now you know and can move on to finding a hair mask that does work for you. The final takeaway My #1 recommendation are hair supplements – because the right one has changed my hair tremendously in almost 6 months. And most importantly – it’s totally useless for treating or preventing baldness (even an early one). And, because they’re more compact and lightweight, less space is required to transport them, reducing their carbon footprint even further. Side note: if you often struggle with suitcase space when you go on holiday (raises hand), their smaller size is a traveller’s dream.Due to the proteins, starch, and polysaccharides in the formula, I would suggest only using this treatment once a week for fine damaged hair types, curly or straight,” recommends James. She also suggests keeping the water off the scalp should you plan on incorporating a rice water rinse into your daily routine. If you have low-porosity hair, then rice water will create a protein buildup on the hair that can cause extreme dryness and damage fast,” Hill explains. (Not sure how to figure out your hair porosity? Highly recommend taking a porosity quiz, since the whole thing can be confusing to parse through on your own.) Does rice water harm skin? Others recommend just focusing on the scalp, which can be a handy option for those who have greasy roots but dry ends. It’s really up to you how you use your shampoo bar and, we’ll be honest with you, it feels a little strange to begin with. However, if you’re open to a little trial and error, you’ll soon find the best way to wash your hair using a solid shampoo that suits your scalp needs and hair type. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.