Surge in popularity of using rice water for hair care is viral on social media, but can it really boost hair growth?
The surge in popularity of using rice water for hair improvement has caught attention on social media, and experts suggest it might not be the ultimate solution for hair despite its prevalence across social media platforms. Enthusiasts on TikTok swear by the starchy, cloudy water, often advocating its use to help with hair growth and repair damage. This trend has generated immense interest online, with tagged videos accumulating a staggering 986 million views on the platform.
However, the techniques and applications of rice water for hair care vary widely among individuals — some ferment the water with added citrus peels to counter the smell, and others apply it on differing schedules, leading to diverse outcomes. While proponents claim the method results in luscious and healthy locks, dermatologists remain sceptical about its effectiveness.
Experts weigh in on the trend of using rice water for hair care, questioning its effectiveness for achieving desired hair growth results. They emphasise exploring alternative methods to maintain healthy hair, offering a range of recommendations beyond the rice water trend.
Soaking rice in water for hair treatment isn't a recent discovery; it has been practised in several Asian cultures for centuries. Stories attribute this technique to the Yao women in China, known for their exceptionally long hair, and the tradition extends back to Japanese women from around 1000 AD, who utilised Yu-Su-Ru, the water from rinsed rice, for hair care. Despite its historical use and dedicated followers today, many advocate for rice water based on personal experience rather than concrete evidence.
Rice contains nutrients like magnesium, iron, folic acid, thiamin, and niacin, while rice water carries phenols that may have benefits in addressing conditions like alopecia areata. However, experts caution that scientific proof supporting the effectiveness of rice water in improving hair health remains insufficient. Surprisingly, for some individuals, its use may even yield unfavourable outcomes.
There's an agreement among experts that rice water may not be the sole contributor to improved hair health. Instead, lifestyle factors or alternate products could play a role in enhancing hair quality. Diet is a potential influencing factor, as individuals traditionally using rice water may also maintain healthier diets, commonly observed in regions following Blue Zones diet practices. The remarkable hair condition observed in cultures like that of the Yao women may be attributed to their dietary habits or other aspects of their lifestyles, rather than solely from rice water treatments. Furthermore, confusion might exist between rice water and rice bran mineral extract, which is present in specific hair care products, showing potential for promoting hair growth. Research has shown that rice bran mineral extract might prolong the anagen phase of hair follicles, fostering growth[2]. However, it's essential to note that the rice bran, containing this beneficial mineral extract, is removed during the milling process before the rice reaches consumers[3]. Therefore, while rice bran mineral extract in hair products displays promise for hair health, homemade rice water from processed rice lacks scientific validation.
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For those intrigued by the rice water trend in hair care exercising caution is essential. Exploring alternative methods like stress reduction, dandruff treatment, and minimising heat tools can positively impact hair health and growth. Opting for products containing rice bran mineral extract, specially designed for hair safety, could be beneficial. While not all online advice is unreliable, it's wise to seek counsel from reputable sources like board-certified dermatologists or trusted associations such as the British Association of Dermatologists on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to access vetted expertise and reliable information.
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