Rice Water Rinse Routine & Results
I recently discovered an amazing DIY protein, strengthening and repairing treatment called a rice water rinse. Far from a new “trend”, rice water rinses have been traditionally used for hundreds of years in China and Japan. Rice water is surprisingly beneficial to hair because it contains an impressive array of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids — the building blocks of protein. If you’re struggling with protein moisture balance, make sure you read this post. Here’s my modified rice water rinse routine and my amazing results!
Rice Water Benefits
- Increases hair elasticity, and bounce
- Strengthens and thickens the hair
- Adds volume, softness, curl definition and shine
- Smooths hair cuticle
- Reduces dandruff
- Promotes and stimulates hair growth
- Dissolves hard water build up
- Reduces hair loss
- Relieves dry, irritated, itchy scalp
- Penetrates the hair shaft to repair the hair from within
- Continues to repair damage after use, shampoo and rinsing
- Moisturising, antioxidant and repairing properties
- Improves manageability
- Prevents hair from future damage
- Gentle, mild cleanser
- Improves overall condition of the hair
- Stimulates blood flow to the scalp
- Nourishes hair follicles at the root
Inositol is the key nutrient found in rice water, which strengthens and repairs the hair and increases hair elasticity, helping create a more defined curl pattern. Inositol stays inside the hair shaft, even after rinsing, offering continuing hair protection.
“Rice water is more than just a protein treatment. It’s a strengthening agent. It repairs damaged hair and improves elasticity. I love that it’s convenient and very affordable. No need to buy extra protein treatments unless my hair is in really bad shape. But this is a simple and great way to keep hair healthy, strong and maintained, as well as very beneficial to the scalp.
Ingredients & Method
- Using a pyrex jug, use half a pint of rice (organic, jasmine, basmati…) and rinse.
- Put the rinsed rice in a saucepan and add 2 pints of water — you can add some essential oils if you like.
- Bring to the boil, stirring to agitate the rice until you get a cloudy, creamy, thick consistency of water.
- Once the rice has absorbed most of the water and appears almost stodgy, push through a sieve to get the thick, creamy water out. If you are doing a simply rice water rinse, don’t let the rice go stodgy or the consistency will be too thick. I usually have to scrap the rice water ‘gloop’ off the bottom of the sieve.
- Add a tablespoon of your favourite deep conditioner — I used my Hairfinity Strengthening Amino Mask — and mix.
- Clarify your hair, or shampoo as normal, and apply your modified rice water rinse mask to your hair.
- Leave on your hair for 30 minutes to 1 hour — use a thermal heat cap for best results. I make and sell Curly Cailín Thermal Heat Caps, click here for more information, and to buy one.
- Rinse and style as normal.
My Results!
