Q&A for How to Wash Hair with Rice Water

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Can water make your hair grow?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Being dehydrated can prevent your hair from growing. But applying water topically won't change the rate of growth.

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Question

What does rice water do to hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Rice water smoothes hair and helps it retain moisture. It can also improve the strength of your hair.

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Question

How long do I leave rice water in my hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You should leave it in for at least 30 minutes for full benefits. You can also leave it in overnight or spray it on your hair as a styling aid.

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Question

Do you have to wash rice water out of your hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

No, it can be used as a leave-in treatment. However, you may notice some buildup if you use it every day.

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Question

What are the benefits of using rice water to wash hair?

Candice Ayers
Hairstylist
Candice Ayers is a Hairstylist and the manager of Bespoke Hair Studio in San Diego, California. Candice has been manager at Bespoke Hair for six years, working both behind the chair and behind the scenes. In addition to managing the business side of Bespoke Hair, Candice's specialty is creating lived-in blended looks that enhance each client's unique head of hair.

Candice Ayers

Hairstylist

Expert Answer

Rice water is a natural, gentle exfoliant; it builds up your hair and also takes care of your scalp.

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Question

Can I use rice water as a hair spray?

Community Answer

Yes, it can be used as the liquid in the LOC routine for 5-10 days. It will moisturize and strengthen the hair at the same time.

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Can I shampoo my hair after soaking it in rice water?

Community Answer

No, you cannot wash your hair using shampoo after using rice water. You should just rinse with cold water.

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Question

Should I rinse out the shampoo before using the rice water?

Community Answer

Yes, you should. Apply the rice water after washing your hair with a shampoo of your choice and thoroughly rinsing out the shampoo.

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Question

Can I leave rice water in overnight and wash it in the morning?

Mena

Community Answer

Yes, you can but make sure to wrap your hair with a satin scarf, you don't want to lose your moisture overnight!

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Question

Can boiled rice water make my hair thick?

Community Answer

Yes, but you should let it cool before applying it to your hair, as heat will actually promote hair fall.

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Question

How often should I wash my hair with rice water?

Community Answer

Two or three times a week. If you want faster results, you can do it every day.

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Question

How can I use rice water as a leave-in when my hair is in box braids?

Community Answer

You can keep the rice water in a spray bottle, and simply spray it on your visible scalp, then wash it off when you desire.

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Question

Is onion water good for hair growth?

Yuri Aponté

Community Answer

Yes, when added to the hair and scalp, onion juice can provide extra sulfur to support strong and thick hair, thus preventing hair loss and promoting hair growth. The sulfur from onions may also help promote collagen production. Collagen, in turn, helps the production of healthy skin cells and hair growth.

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Question

Can rice water be used to stop hair from turning gray prematurely?

Community Answer

Yes, fermented rice water helps retain pigment so your hair doesn’t go gray.

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Question

Can I wash my hair with rice water as a kid?

Community Answer

Yes, of course. There's nothing harmful in rice water. Just ask your parents' permission first.

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Question

Can I keep the rice water in the fridge until I need it? And can I keep some rice water in a spray bottle and spray it on my scalp every morning before styling it, or will it ferment?

Community Answer

You can keep it in the fridge to stop the fermentation process. Take it out, put in a spray bottle and use whenever you are ready.

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Question

Can I use rice and water to wash my body?

Community Answer

You can, but you should use a soap as well, as rice water will not remove the dirt and bacteria that cause body odor.

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Question

Would rice water be bad for my scalp if I have psoriasis?

Community Answer

I wouldn't think so, but if you're concerned, dilute it with water so it's half rice water, half plain water.

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Question

Can I ferment my rice water for more than two days?

Community Answer

You can, but the rice water will continue to ferment, which will make it even more smelly. I recommend up to 3 days as the maximum. When you are ready to use the fermented rice water, I highly suggest you to add water to the mixture, for the rice water could be too strong for your hair.

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Question

Can I store the rice water in a warm place or it should be stored in the refrigerator?

Community Answer

Let the rice water sit at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours. This allows it to ferment and all of the yummy vitamins and minerals to come out. Refrigerate the rice water until you're ready to use it.

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Question

Can I mix onion juice with the rice water?

Community Answer

Yes you can, but best practice is to use it separately so that the onion juice and cayenne-laced fermented rice water can have some time to sit on your scalp and go to work.

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Question

Can I use rice water instead of shampoo?

Community Answer

Not shampoo but yes as a conditioner. Using rice water as a hair rinse after shampooing is a good alternative to using a conditioner. It adds volume to the hair and improves texture. Furthermore, it makes the hair strong, smooth, and healthy. As said earlier on, rice water is rich in amino acids.

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Question

Can I reuse the rice from my rice water after using it once?

Community Answer

Yes, you can apply rice water daily on your hair. Rice water might be a treatment with works well for you and your hair goals. However, keep in mind that not all people experience any type of benefits from utilizing rice water.

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Question

Can I deep condition my hair after using rice water?

Community Answer

Most people do a rice water rinse, using the creamy, cloudy rice water to repeatedly rinse through the hair. If you leave the rinse in your hair for any period of time, longer than just rinsing it through, you need to follow up with a protein-free deep conditioner for at least 20 – 30 minutes.

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Question

Do I need to use shampoo daily if I use rice water daily?

Community Answer

You won't need to change your washing schedule around your rice water rinse — simply use it after shampooing and conditioning, whether that's once a day or once a week. Let it sit for two to five minutes, and then rinse. You'll probably notice immediately how strong and thick your hair feels.

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Question

Can I put conditioner in my hair after I put the rice water in my hair? Should I condition before I put in rice water?

Community Answer

You can also use diluted rice water as a conditioner. Apply it to wet clean hair, massage the scalp slightly and rinse after 5-10 minutes.

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Question

Can I use parboiled brown rice to make rice water?

Community Answer

Add 2 parts water, 1 part parboiled rice to the bowl. Pour the water into the vessel, then stir in the rice.

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Question

Can I use rice water without using shampoo?

Community Answer

Yes, you can.or Apply the rice water after washing your hair with a shampoo of your choice and thoroughly rinsing out the shampoo. ... Yes, but you should let it cool before applying it to your hair, as heat will actually promote hair fall.

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Question

Can I use rice water without shampooing my hair?

Community Answer

For the most part, you can use rice water overnight and wash it away in the morning.

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Question

How do I use rice water daily?

Community Answer

You don't. You shouldn't even be using it weekly. One or twice a month should be okay. If you use it too much, it could cause protein overload and you will not like what you see.

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