Are there benefits to using hair products with rice water for improving hair strength and appearance?

Rice Water for Hair: Benefits and Evidence

Rice water shows some potential benefits for hair health, but evidence is limited and inconsistent compared to other more established hair treatments.

Current Evidence on Rice Water for Hair

What the Guidelines Say

According to the 2020 International Consensus on First Aid Science 1, rice water was initially considered as a potential storage medium for avulsed teeth due to its cell-preserving properties. However, the task force ultimately decided not to recommend it because:

• If rice water must be made (by boiling rice in water and allowing it to cool), this could create a delay in treatment
• Alternative storage techniques that are readily available are preferable

The 2024 American Heart Association and American Red Cross Guidelines 1 do mention rice water as a potential storage medium for avulsed teeth, noting that "storage of an avulsed permanent tooth in rice water has demonstrated improved periodontal ligament cell viability compared with storage in cow's milk." However, this is only recommended if the rice water is pre-prepared.

Research on Rice Water and Hair

Limited scientific evidence exists specifically for rice water as a hair treatment:

• A 2014 study found that rice bran extract prepared by supercritical carbon dioxide fluid showed hair growth-promoting potential similar to 3% minoxidil in mice 2
• The extract increased the number of hair follicles and increased expression of growth factors like VEGF, IGF-1, and KGF
• Among the major components of rice bran extract, linoleic acid and γ-oryzanol were found to promote hair growth 2

Nutritional Considerations for Hair Health

For overall hair health, nutritional factors play an important role:

• Deficiencies in vitamin D, zinc, and folate are associated with hair loss conditions 3
• A diet rich in these micronutrients is recommended for patients with hair loss 3
• Biotin-rich foods (eggs, nuts, sweet potatoes) are recommended as biotin deficiency can cause hair loss 3
• Antioxidant-rich foods may help reduce oxidative stress that could contribute to hair loss 3

Clinical Recommendations

When considering rice water for hair:

1. Potential benefits may include:

   • Some cell-preserving properties that might help protect hair structure
   • Possible growth-promoting effects from components like linoleic acid and γ-oryzanol
   • Traditional use in some cultures suggests possible cosmetic benefits

2. Important limitations:

   • Scientific evidence specifically for rice water on human hair is very limited
   • The 2020 International Consensus specifically removed coconut water from recommendations due to inconsistent evidence of benefit 1
   • Commercial hair products have extensive safety testing and are generally not associated with hair loss 4

3. Better-established approaches for hair health:

   • Address nutritional deficiencies, particularly vitamin D, zinc, and folate 3
   • Consider FDA-approved treatments for specific hair loss conditions
   • Ensure proper hair care practices to prevent breakage and damage

Practical Advice

If a patient wishes to try rice water:

• It's likely safe as a topical treatment
• Prepare by soaking rice in water, straining, and using the liquid as a rinse
• Monitor for any scalp irritation or adverse reactions
• Understand that benefits are not well-established by scientific research
• Don't substitute it for evidence-based treatments if experiencing significant hair loss

For better-established hair health approaches, focus on nutrition, proper hair care, and FDA-approved treatments when indicated.