Skin and Hair
Rice Water for Hair: Does It Help Hair Grow, or Is It Just Hype?
Does rinsing your hair with rice water make it grow longer and thicker? Rice water is the cloudy water left after you soak or boil rice. It has been used as a hair rinse in parts of Asia for a very long time, and it became a big trend online. Here is a fair look at what it can and cannot do.
What supporters say online
Many people online say a rice water rinse:
- Makes their hair grow faster
- Makes hair look thicker and fuller
- Adds shine and softness
- Cuts down on tangles and breakage
Some people let the rice water sit for a day or two first, because they believe the soaked or fermented water works better.
What dermatologists and research say
Cleveland Clinic says there may be some benefit, but the claims have not been proven by science. Its dermatologists point out that how fast and how thick your hair grows is mostly set by your genes, health, and age. Hair care habits are usually a small part of it.
A 2023 review in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology looked at popular hair growth trends on social media. It found no scientific evidence that rice water makes hair grow. It did note one small report that rice water may make hair a bit smoother and more flexible, which fits with people saying their hair feels softer.
A dermatologist at the University of Minnesota Medical School warned that rice water may even hurt some hair. The starch in it can pull moisture out of the hair, which matters most for curly or coily hair that already breaks easily.
There is one study people sometimes point to. A 16 week trial tested a lab made rice bran extract on men with common hair loss and found better hair density. But that was a measured product rubbed on the scalp, not a homemade rice water rinse, so it does not prove the kitchen version works.
Positives
- Cheap and easy to try.
- May add shine and softness for some people.
- Low risk for most healthy scalps when rinsed out well.
Negatives
- No proof it grows hair. Growth claims are based on stories, not studies.
- Can dry out hair. Starch build up may leave hair stiff or brittle, especially curly and coily types.
- Scalp irritation. Leaving it on too long, or not rinsing it out, can irritate the scalp. Old or fermented rice water can also smell bad.
- It can delay real help. If you are losing hair, time spent on rinses is time lost, and proven options work best started early.
Bottom line
Rice water is fine to try if you like how it makes your hair feel, but do not expect it to make hair grow. Use it now and then, rinse well, and stop if your hair feels dry or your scalp gets itchy. If you are thinning or receding, rice water is a distraction, since proven treatments work best when started early. If you want to see which of your hair styles looks best in photos, The Face They See lets people of the opposite gender rank your photos for free.