Lately, it feels like my hair has hit a wall. It isn't necessarily unhealthy, it just… isn't going anywhere. The ends look the same month after month, and despite regular trims, scalp massages, expensive shampoos, hair masks and every "miracle" growth serum I've been convinced to buy, I wasn't seeing the kind of progress I wanted.
The practice has been used for centuries in parts of Asia, where it's been credited with making hair look stronger, shinier and longer. More recently, it's exploded online as one of those beauty hacks that promises salon-worthy results for the price of a bag of rice.
So, I committed to using rice water consistently for 30 days to see if the internet's favorite hair-growth hack actually lived up to the hype. Read on for my honest results, what surprised me most and whether I'd keep using it now that the experiment is over.
Despite how fancy it sounds on social media, rice water is exactly what it sounds like: the cloudy, starchy water left over after you rinse or soak rice. According to Tina Mui, trichologist, pro stylist and co-founder of AWARE Hair, that water contains "small amounts of amino acids, B vitamins and minerals," though she notes the exact makeup depends on everything from the type of rice you use to "how long it's soaked."
So while it may be all over your TikTok now, as Mui puts it, "the internet didn't invent this one"—it simply rediscovered an age-old beauty ritual and introduced it to a whole new generation.
What Are the Claimed Benefits of Rice Water for Hair?
But according to Mui, the benefits are a little more nuanced. She explains that while many people get good results, the effects are "usually limited to cosmetic ones" and can vary depending on your hair type.
So while rice water may not be the overnight growth miracle social media sometimes makes it out to be, it could absolutely help your hair look healthier—and that's still a pretty compelling reason to try it.
This is where things get a little complicated. If you're hoping rice water will magically make your hair grow inches overnight, the experts say it's probably time to lower your expectations.
Trichologist and RevAir resident expertLadosha Wright says that despite years of research and access to scientific studies, she has "not found credible evidence validating the claim that rice water actually promotes hair growth."
As Wright puts it, while rice water may temporarily improve how the hair fiber feels, "improving the feel of the hair is not the same as promoting hair growth."
She also notes that while there's some early research around inositol, a naturally occurring compound found in rice, those studies used oral supplements or highly concentrated laboratory formulas, not the homemade rinse sitting in your bathroom.
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How To Make a Rice Water Hair Rinse at Home
One thing she doesn't recommend, though, is following some of the more extreme DIY tutorials online. Wright cautions against cooking the rice or letting the mixture ferment for days, explaining that increased "microbial activity could make the mixture unsafe for the hair and scalp," which already has its own delicate microbiome.
Related: The 18 Best Hair-Growth Oils for Stronger, Thicker Strands, Tested by Trichologists Themselves
Before
View the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleOnce a week, I used a homemade rice water rinse, and in addition, on days I wanted a little extra boost without making a fresh batch, I'd spritz on Luseta Rice Water Hair Spray between wash days. Here's what happened.
Instead, I noticed far less breakage, which meant I was finally hanging onto the length my hair was naturally producing. It's the kind of improvement you don't notice overnight, but when I compared before-and-after photos, my ends looked fuller and healthier instead of wispy.
Shine
Even on days I skipped hot tools, my hair looked healthier, and the Luseta spray helped keep that soft, glossy finish going between treatments.
My hair also tangled less, so I wasn't yanking through knots and accidentally snapping strands. To me, that felt like one of the biggest wins of the experiment.
Scalp Health
I was careful not to overdo it, though, since the experts warned that too much rice water can leave hair feeling coated or stiff. Sticking to once a week—and relying on the spray in between instead of another full rinse—ended up feeling like the sweet spot.
If you're expecting it to magically activate your follicles, you'll probably be disappointed. But if your goal is stronger, shinier hair that's less prone to breakage—and therefore able to retain more length—I actually think it's worth trying. Just keep your expectations realistic, be consistent and remember that healthy-looking hair is often the first sign you're on the right track.
Who Should (and Shouldn't) Try Rice Water for Hair?
Rice water isn't an all-or-nothing trend—it really depends on your hair. According to Mui, the best candidates are people with "a healthy scalp" whose hair could use some temporary smoothing and strengthening.
On the flip side, Mui says she'd be "more cautious with very fine or low-porosity hair" since the starchy coating can weigh it down or leave it feeling stiff. The same goes for hair that's already very dry or brittle, which can become even more rigid if rice water is overused.
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She also points out that this is one of those cases where "more isn't better," and leaving it on longer won't necessarily deliver better results. If your hair starts feeling "stiff, rough, dry, dull, coated or harder to detangle," that's your cue to hit pause.
Up Next:
Related: Why Your Gray Hair Is Suddenly Frizzy (And a Free Fix From a Celebrity Stylist)
Sources:
Tina Mui, trichologist, master stylist and co-founder of AWARE HairLadosha Wright, trichologist, salon owner, author and RevAir resident expertHence then, the article about does rice water actually help hair growth i tried it for 30 days was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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