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Rice water has been used as a beauty treatment in Asian countries for centuries, but in the last few years, it has become mainstream in many American beauty techniques. Rice water has several benefits for both skin and hair, but today we’re going to focus on how your red hair can benefit from it.
Redheads are often prone to frizz and a more coarse hair texture. Although natural redheads have about 90,000 strands of hair on their heads, while blondes and brunettes have 20,000-50,000 more, the strands are significantly thicker when it comes to red hair.
Benefits of rice water
There are a ton of benefits to using rice water on your red hair, including promoted elasticity, increased volume, less frizz and even helping with dandruff. Rice water can help hair to grow and be softer and more shiny. The properties of rice water are great for combatting the natural frizz redheads experience due to having more coarse locks. It is also believed to be rich in nutrients and potential antioxidant properties.
It’s essential to note that while many people find rice water beneficial, individual results may vary, and scientific research is ongoing.
How to make rice water
Rice water can be found as an ingredient in many hair care products, but you can also make your own rice water rinse at home. This can be done by soaking cleaned rice in water at a 1:2 ratio and letting it sit at room temperature in an air-tight container.
Some people will tell you to let it sit for about an hour, while others think upwards of 24 hours is best. The water will become foggy. You will want to drain the rice from the water and dispose of it or keep it for cooking. After you have separated the rice from the water, you want to store the rice water in a spray bottle or other container for ease of use.
How to use rice water
Rice water should be used as a hair rinse after shampooing. Apply the rice water to your hair and scalp and allow it to sit for up to 10 minutes. You can then rinse the hair either with more rice water or with regular water. Follow up with conditioner.
It’s good to note that rice water can increase the proteins in your hair, which can lead to build-up if used too often. Rice water rinses can be used up to 2x per week, but depending on your hair type and needs you may want to use it every week, every other week, or even once a month.
Rock it like a Redhead!
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