Rice water has been used as a hair treatment by women in China, Japan, and Southeast Asia for generations. Is there any scientific evidence that rice water has any cosmetic benefits? Rice water is the starchy liquid that remains after rice has been cooked or soaked. It is thought to make hair smoother and more lustrous, as well as speed up hair growth. Researchers claim that ladies in Japan during the Heian period (794-1185 CE) had floor-length hair that they kept healthy by washing in rice water. In China, a modern-day version of this narrative can be discovered. The Yao women of Huangluo, China, are known for their long hair, which can reach 6 feet in length.
As the use of rice water for hair becomes more common, there is more anecdotal proof of its advantages. On the surface, a 2010 study says they are. Rice water, according to the authors, can reduce surface friction and promote hair flexibility. However, the study draws unjustified generalizations based on past precedents. A Japanese research institution has created an imaging technology that visualizes inositol’s hair-strengthening effect. Rice water is high in inositol. It’s worth noting that this study is published directly by a facility with possible business ties.
The benefits of rice water for hair are yet to be demonstrated. More research is needed to back up anecdotal data about rice water’s hair advantages.
