Discover the secret to faster hair growth with rice water! Learn how to make rice water for hair growth naturally and see visible results in just 1 week with these simple steps and pro tips.
Do you want long, strong, and lustrous hair without spending a fortune on salon treatments or chemical-based products? You can look no further than your kitchen! Rice water, also known as the cloudy water left in your pan after soaking or cooking rice, has been an age-old beauty secret for women in Asia for many centuries.
In this article, you will learn:
- What makes rice water so effective for hair growth
- How to prepare rice water at home step by step
- The various methods you can use to apply rice water
- Actual tips so that you can see hair growth results in exactly 1 week
- The Do’s and Don’ts so you don’t damage your hair.
Let’s unlock some of the natural healing power of rice water and give your hair the healthy boost it needs!
What is Rice Water and How Will It Help My Hair?
Rice water is the starchy water you get after soaking or boiling rice. It contains vitamins and minerals such as:
Inositol is a carbohydrate that strengthens hair elasticity and repairs damage
Amino acids – strengthen the roots of the hair and stimulate growth
Vitamin B, E, and minerals like magnesium and zinc – keep the scalp healthy
Ferulic acid & antioxidants – protect from free radicals
Traditional Roots of Rice Water for Hair
The Yao women in Huangluo village, China – also known as the “village of Rapunzels” – use fermented rice water and have hair that reaches as long as 6 feet, and do not exhibit any gray hair even into their 70s! That’s enough evidence that this natural remedy works.
Benefits of Rice Water for Hair
Stimulates hair growth
Repair damaged hair
Adds shine and softness
Deters or shows how to remove tangles naturally
Reduces hair fall and breakage
Improve scalp health
Three ways to make rice water for hair growth (3 easy ways)
There are three rice water making protocols for the best results in only one week.
1. Soaking method (Quick and Easy)
– Ingredients:-
½ cup uncooked rice, white, basmati, or jasmine- (rice with a medium or high starch content is the best)
2–3 cups of water
– Instructions:-
Rinse the rice until the water is clear of dirt. Take rinsed rice and place it in the bowl. Once the rice is placed in the bowl, add water and soak for 30–45 minutes. At the end of the soaking time, stir and strain the rice water in a clean container, and place it in the fridge for up to 5 days.,
-Best for:-
Quick use, mild effect, newbie;
2. Boiling method (nourishing):-
– Ingredients:-
½ cup rice;
2 cups water…
– Instructions:-
Boil rice in double the water. Once the rice is cooked, strain off the excess water and allow it to cool completely. Store in a glass bottle in the fridge.
Best for: Adding extra moisture to dry or frizzy hair.
3. Fermented Rice Water (Most Effective for Fast Growth)
Ingredients
½ cup rice
2 cups water
Instructions
Rinse rice; soak it for 30 minutes.
Strain and put water in another container; let it sit for 24–48 hours before use (at room temperature).
Wait until the rice water develops a faint sour smell (that’s how you know it has fermented).
Put rice water in the refrigerator and use it within a week.
Optional: Add 2–3 drops of essential oils (like rosemary or lavender) to mask any foul/funky smell and help promote growth.
Best for: Getting stronger results in a shorter amount of time (1 week = visible growth!).
How to Use Rice Water for Hair Growth
It’s simple to apply rice water; here’s how…
How to Prepare Rice Water – Step by Step:
Shampoo hair as normal.
Towel dry lightly to removed excess water.
Slowly pour rice water over the scalp and hair.
Massage scalp for 5–10 minutes (do this for circulation).
Leave on for 20 minutes (or up to 50 minutes for a deep treatment).
Rinse with lukewarm water (no need for conditioner).
How often should you be using rice water for best results?
3-4 times a week – if you want to experience the best hair growth results
Daily – if you dilute rice water or use rice water as a hair spray, it’s perfectly OK.
You can even use it as a daily leave-in spray for that daily feed:
Mix 1 part fermented rice water + 2 parts water in a spray bottle.
Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.
Spray on scalp and ends, and comb through.
Realistic Hair Growth Results in 1 Week
While hair does not grow overnight, you can expect the following visible results in just 1 week of regular use of rice water:
Less hair breakage
Softer and shinier strands
Fewer split ends
Healthier scalp
Stronger hair at the roots
Lots of new baby hair around the hairline!
With continued use for a month, many users experience up to 1-1.5 inches of growth while using fermented rice water and giving their scalp a massage.
Pro Tips to Help Hair Growth with Rice Water
Use black or red rice occasionally – higher in antioxidants
Use with rosemary oil or peppermint oil – shown to stimulate hair growth
Always use a wooden comb (reducing breakage)
Wash your hair with cold water (to seal the cuticle)
If you have low porosity hair, do not over use (start with once or twice a week)
DIY Rice Water Masks
1. Rice Water + Aloe Vera Gel Mask
2 tbsp fermented rice water
1 tbsp aloe vera gel
Apply to roots and ends, leave for 30 minutes, then rinse.
Benefits: Soothes scalp, reduces dandruff, adds shine
2. Rice Water + Coconut Milk
2 tbsp rice water
2 tbsp coconut milk
Apply on roots to tips, leave for 20 minutes, then wash with mild shampoo
Benefits: Leaves your hair soft and hydrated while protein is added
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not leave overnight – you run the risk of protein overload
Do not use plain fermented rice water if you have a sensitive scalp
Don’t overdo using rice water – this will dry your hair out
Do not use on dirty hair – always cleanse first
Do not use rice with salt or flavour added
Final Thoughts
Rice water is a natural, effective, and affordable way to start your hair growth journey! If you use rice water consistently, you will be able to see shinier, stronger, and healthier hair in as little as a week.
If you are struggling with breakage, thinning, or dullness, this ancient Asian beauty secret could be just what you’re looking for. Give your hair some love and go all-natural!
FAQs
Q1: Can rice water help with bald spots?
Yes. Using rice water regularly, especially with scalp massages, can stimulate dormant hair follicles.
Q2: How long does rice water take to grow hair?
You will see the first signs of growth as soon as 7–10 days! You will see a noticeable amount of length in 3–4 weeks.
Q3: Should I rinse out rice water or leave it in?
You can rinse out, or leave in! If you dilute rice water, the you can leave it in. If it is undiluted rice water, then rinse it out after 20 minutes.
Q4: Can I use rice water every day?
Yes, especially if you plan to use the water as a leave-in spray. Just pay attention to how your hair responds.
Q5: What kind of rice is best for hair growth?
Any type of rice is good, white, basmati, jasmine, red, or black rice all work! This is especially true when it comes to organic white rice, which is most commonly used!
