Rice water has been known for years to have amazing benefits for curly hair regarding growth, thickness, and overall health. This protein-rich concoction will leave your hair feeling fuller and healthier.
However, it’s crucial that you know what you’re doing while using this recipe because too much protein can begin to work against your hair if misused.
This post will tell you everything you need to know about rice water for naturally curly hair.
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How To Make Fermented Rice Water
This recipe is easy to make with few ingredients and tools, you can find the exact items needed linked below.
You will need the following.
- Mason jar with lid
- Distilled water
- Strainer
- Organic rice
- Large mixing bowl (optional)
- Spray bottle (optional)
- Plastic shower cap
- Orange peels (optional)
- Time and patience
Directions
- Make sure your mason jar is cleaned
- Rinse the impurities and dirt from the rice with water
- Once finished, transfer the rice to your glass jar
- Before adding in the distilled water, you may add a few orange peels to cut down on the smell. (This smell is terrible without orange peels)
- Add the distilled water to the jar leaving about 1/2-1 inch open at the top
- Seal the jar and store it in a dark cool place
- Let it sit for 24 hours or 5 days, the choice is yours
Related Post- 11 Healthy Curly Hair Tips You Need To Know
How Long Should You Ferment Rice Water?
The longer you ferment the rice water, the higher the concentration is. In the beginning, you may want to opt for less fermenting times and build your way up as you monitor and diagnose what your hair really needs.
The first time I fermented rice water, I let it ferment for up to 2-3 days, and one with a higher concentration the next fermenting process. The cool thing about it, you can ferment it at your discretion and still get great benefits from the rice water.
How To Apply The Rice Water
Before applying the rice water to your hair, you will want to make sure your hair is thoroughly detangled. Having your hair detangled first will allow you to work through the hair easier and make sure the hair is evenly coated.
There are two different ways to apply rice water to your hair. You can do the traditional method of pouring the water through your roots to the ends, or you can use a spray bottle.
When I applied it, I always used the traditional pouring method. However, there isn’t a wrong or right way to apply it. Using the spray bottle you can still saturate and evenly apply it through your hair.
Once you have the hair saturated with the rice water, you will want to massage and work the water into your scalp.
This massaging technique will stimulate blood flow and increase hair growth while cleansing and conditioning the scalp.
Once you have massaged your scalp, you will want to twist your hair and pull it up in a plastic shower cap.
The Traditional Method
In the traditional method, you would place a large mixing bowl on the ground and tip your hair over the bowl. From there you would begin to pour the rice water on your head from root to tip and let the water drain into the large mixing bowl.
While the water drains from the hair, you will use a wide-tooth comb and comb the hair from root to end while your hair is still over the bowl. This process allows you to further work the rice water through your hair and further comb it through.
If you need more water, you can use the water that fell in the large mixing bowl to further saturate the hair.
Once the hair is saturated, you will also want to massage the scalp and allow the rice water to stimulate and condition it.
From there, you will then wrap your hair into to the plastic shower cap and let it sit for the time you choose.
You can simply use either method that best fits your needs!
How Long Should You Leave It In?
This is debatable and you will often find different time increments to leave it on your hair. I have left it on for a max of 30 minutes and other times I have only left it on for 15-20.
I do not recommend leaving it on longer than 30 minutes because it depends on the current state and porosity of your hair. If you’re wondering what your current hair porosity is, you can find out with these steps.
Grab a glass and fill it with water. You will need a strand of your hair from your head. Once you have a strand of hair, place it in the water and allow it to absorb the moisture.
If the hair floats at the top of the water, the hair is low porosity.
When your hair floats to the middle of the glass your hair is medium porosity and is where it should be.
If your hair sinks to the very bottom of the glass, your hair is high porosity.
It is super important to make sure the hair is very damp/wet when you wrap the hair in the shower cap for the time you select. This step is very beneficial and is the deep conditioning part of the rice water.
How Often Should You Use Rice Water For Treatments?
Once you know the porosity of your hair and the unruly symptoms you have been experiencing, you can estimate better how frequently you should be using it.
I don’t recommend using it more than a couple of times per month. Rice has a lot of protein and because of that protein, it has become a holy grail for hair.
However, most people don’t know that too much protein in the hair can lead to it doing the opposite of what you use it for.
For example, if you use rice water (or any other protein-filled product) frequently and have had amazing results and you continue to use it, it can lead to dry, brittle, and rough-feeling hair.
This happens from protein overload in the hair. Rice water is for treatments here and there, it should not be frequently used like a leave-in conditioner.
This rice water recipe and treatment are great for curly hair when used correctly. Curly hair is naturally dry and natural ingredients are always the best to use for deeper repair.
However, always do your research and make the best decision for your curls!
Related Post- How To Achieve A Natural Transition From Relaxed To Curly Hair
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