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Let’s talk about rice water for 4C hair growth. I mean, let’s be real sis...
It's almost impossible to go to a natural hair care site that doesn’t mention rice water. From Youtubers to newspapers, everyone raves over the amazing benefits of rice water treatments. Even Hairfinity has started selling Rice Water Hair Mist...
And more companies are coming with their own special twist on the rice water for kinky type 4 tresses rage....
Rumors had circulated about two groups of women known for their long, black hair: the Yao women of China and the Heian women of Japan. If you saw them you’d be astonished by the incredible length and strength of their hair.
And if you had the chance to ask either group why they had such beautiful hair, they would credit it all to rice water.
But is there truth to these stories? Is there science behind this claim? And if so, would this work for 4C hair growth too?
So what exactly is in rice water for 4C hair growth? I mean, there has to be a reason that the Yao and Heian women loved it so much. And even though there are other methods for growing natural 4C hair fast, rice water always come up.
Well, studies show rice does have a lot of nutritional benefits that can promote hair growth. For instance, here is a quick list of what you can find in rice alone:
Now, I should mention that it doesn’t necessarily matter which type of rice you use to make rice water for 4C hair growth.
However, I recommend premium brown rice still because it’s typically less treated and processed than white rice.
But whether you’re using brown or white rice, you’re still helping your hair grow and it's great to add to your 4C hair care regimen.
Great question! What the water is essentially doing is fermenting the rice.
If you’re unfamiliar with fermentation, it’s a chemical process where substances like bacteria, yeast, and other microorganisms are broken down. I love eating fermented foods and constantly try different fermentation recipes.
Fermentation creates an anaerobic environment by taking the starches and sugars and turning it into acids.
Those acids will have an easier time penetrating and coating your hair to quickly give it those much-needed nutrients.
Now that you’re basically a rice water scientist, you may want to know what the actual benefits are. Well, some of the benefits can be the following:
Now, the reason that I was careful to use words like “some” and “can” is because it really depends on your hair type, your genetic makeup, and other factors to determine what the benefits are.
However, despite the benefits varying from person to person, most people find that they experience, at the very least, one of the benefits.
I would like to emphasize though, that you can use too much rice water in your routine. If you have low porosity hair, there is a chance that you can damage your hair from using rice water too frequently.
It’s easy to underestimate rice and water, but it works like a powerful protein treatment. If you end up using too much, you can experience brittle, dry hair. However, it’s not all doom and gloom when it comes to rice water.
If you’re someone with high porosity hair, your hair is treated, and/or you suffer from dry scalp, then this is the treatment for you.
Making rice water for 4C hair growth is really simple actually! A basic rice water recipe shouldn’t take more than five minutes to prepare and five minutes to use. So here is a basic rundown of how to make your very own rice water for 4C hair growth treatment:
For this recipe, you’ll need the following:
You’ll also need the following supplies:
Now, if you need more benefits than this just add some oils to your treatments. For me, I suffer from a dry scalp and I want to promote growth. So here is my personal recipe:
For this recipe, you’ll need the following:
You’ll also need the following supplies:
Instructions:
You can use your treatment as much as daily to as little as once a month. It really just depends on what you and your hair needs.
How long rice water takes to grow hair depends on how much your hair is breaking because of a lack of protein.
Regular rice water washes should have an effect after 2 weeks for hair that has lacked protein. Healthy natural hair grows, without products or treatments, between 1-2 inches per month.
Rice water for 4C hair growth strengthens and enriches, thus enabling this natural growth process to occur.
You shouldn’t use rice water too often, you should apply it no more than once a week, as washing your hair with rice water too often can cause a protein overload. A protein overload can actually leave your hair into becoming brittle and more dry.
It really depends on how sensitive your hair is to protein treatments. When I would do rice water rinses, I would do them once every other week, because any more often than that caused my hair to become brittle and dry.
There are some side effects from overuse of rice water on hair even though it’s nutrient-filled and good for your hair in proper dosage.
Too much rice water on hair can be damaging due to the amount of protein that the water absorbs. “Protein overload,” is when there is too much protein and not enough moisture, which can cause hair to look and feel very dry and brittle.
If you’re wondering if rice water can help you grow your natural hair, the answer is yes. There are so many benefits to using rice water to your routine from growing out your hair to healing your scalp.
What are some of your favorite ways to use or apply rice water for 4C hair growth? Let us know in the comments.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Melissa Lee
Melissa Lee is a Contributing Editor to NHP and a former owner of the BlackhairOMG website. She formed 4C Trichology Growth Services, LLC., a US based hair care consultation service. She has also contributed as a writer and consultant for various hair and beauty websites. Melissa can be followed on Twitter here.