The comments started on the third day quietly. “Wait… did your hair get longer?” her coworker said as he leaned over the desk and squinted at the loose bun on top of her head. She laughed, pulled on a new baby curl by her temple and said the phrase that has been quietly taking over TikTok and bathroom cabinets: ‘I’ve been rinsing with rice water’.
The routine seems almost too easy. A jar, some grains from last night’s dinner, some tap water, and some time. But women who tried it say they saw a big difference in just 14 days, as if their hair had been growing quickly in the background.
The weirdest thing is that this “miracle” was in our kitchen the whole time.
Why is rice water suddenly all over the shelves in our bathrooms?
If you scroll through beauty TikTok for five minutes, you’ll find at least one girl in a towel talking to her camera while flipping her wet hair over a washbasin full of cloudy white water. The video is raw and unedited. It shows supermarket rice in a repurposed jam jar with no fancy packaging or sponsored logo.
But the before-and-after pictures keep coming. Women with hair that is weak and grows slowly are making two-week check-ins and zooming in on new growth around the hairline, thicker ponytails, and softer ends. The vibe isn’t that of a polished influencer tutorial; it’s more like “You won’t believe what this cheap little hack did to my hair.”
Maya, who is 27 years old, had been stuck at the same shoulder length for almost two years. On day 1, she posted a shaky mirror video of her hair. It was right at her collarbone, frizzy at the ends, and had split ends all over.
Two weeks later, the same top, the same mirror, and the same spot on the wall. Her hair brushed the top of her chest, and the ends had a soft curve that wasn’t there before. The tape measure said the hair had grown just over 1.5 cm, which is still normal, but it looked thicker and more “present,” as if someone had secretly added volume from the inside out.
Dermatologists who get a lot of questions about rice water give a pretty calm answer. Rice water has a lot of starches, amino acids, a little vitamin B, and antioxidants in it. That mix can make a thin film on hair that smooths the cuticle, cuts down on breakage, and keeps strands from snapping as easily.
So the hair might not grow a lot faster from the root, but a lot fewer fibres are breaking along the way. In terms of looks, that means longer lengths that finally “stick,” less hair falling out in the shower drain, and a shaft-to-tip look that is a little fuller. The magic isn’t a miracle; it’s keeping things.
How to rinse your hair with rice water without damaging it
It seems almost too easy to be true. To clean the rice, rinse it under cold water to get rid of dust. Then, put it in a clean jar with about 2 cups of water.
Put it on the counter for 30 minutes, and every few minutes, swirl it with your hand until the water turns milky. You’ve just made your first rice water rinse by straining out the grains and keeping the cloudy liquid. Pour it slowly over your scalp and hair that has just been washed. Massage it in for 3 to 5 minutes, then rinse it out with warm water.
A lot of people go too far here. They hear “rice water makes hair grow” and soak their scalp in a batch that smells like old bread every day for two weeks.
Let’s be honest: no one really does this every day. And when they do, a lot of them get stiff, overloaded strands, an itchy scalp, or dry hair all of a sudden. Rice water has a lot of protein-like things in it, so if you use it too much or too often, your hair can get crunchy and straw-like, which makes you want to cut it all off. Most heads only need to be washed once or twice a week.
Experts often say the same thing in a gentle way. Start slowly, pay attention to your scalp first, and then to your hair.
Amélia Torres, a trichologist in London, says, “Rice water can be a great helper for growth, but it’s not magic water.” “If your scalp is inflamed, you’re under a lot of stress all the time, or you’re not eating enough, no rinse will help.” Don’t think of it as a cure; think of it as a booster.
- Fine or hair with few pores: For no more than five minutes, use a diluted rice water (half water, half rinse).
- Hair that is curly or coily: Use a rich conditioner after that to balance out the protein-like effect.
- Scalp that is oily and sensitive: Don’t let the rice water ferment; just rinse it well with fresh rice water.
- Damaged hair with a lot of holes: You might benefit the most, but space uses to once a week.
- If you have color-treated hair, do a patch test first and don’t use it before a big dye appointment.
What 14 days of rice water really does and doesn’t do
If you spend enough time on hair forums, you’ll start to notice a pattern in the 14-day rice water diaries. On the first day, there is hope and interest. On Day 4, some people complain about the smell, while others complain about how long it takes to shower.
Around day 7, the comments change to “My shedding in the drain is way down.” By day 10, the baby hairs at the temples are sticking up like little antennas in the morning light and won’t lie flat. Most of the women who stick with it by day 14 don’t just talk about length. They say they feel in charge of their hair again, which is a whole different feeling.
These homemade rituals have a quiet power. They make us slow down just enough to use our hands, senses, and our own observations instead of going to a salon every three months.
There is also a kind of shared, quiet support behind this trend. We’ve all had that moment when you tie your hair back and feel how thin the elastic suddenly gets. You don’t need a credit card or a new brand to try rice water; you just need a jar and some curiosity. Sometimes the smallest, most boring habits change how we feel about the mirror more than the big “transformations.”
| Main point | Detail: | What the reader gets out of it |
|---|---|---|
| Routine that is easy | Rice water made from regular pantry rice, used once or twice a week after washing your hair | A simple, cheap habit that works in real life |
| Fewer breaks | Amino acids and starches help protect and smooth the hair shaft. | Better length retention means hair that looks longer in 14 days. |
| Customisation | Change the time, amount of water, and frequency based on your hair type and scalp sensitivity. | Keeps results going and lowers the chance of dryness or overload. |
Questions and Answers:
How long does it really take for rice water to work?
Most women who keep track of their journeys see less shedding and softer hair in 7 to 10 days, and some women even see their hair grow longer in 14 days. After 6 to 8 weeks of regular, moderate use, the full effect on growth and thickness usually shows up.
Should I use rice water that has been fermented or fresh?
Some people love fermented rice water, while others think it’s too strong. It has a little more acidity and power. If you’re new, start with fresh rice water (soak it for 30 minutes and use it the same day) to see how your hair and scalp react. If you’re comfortable, you can try other things.
Can rice water stop hair from falling out or bald spots from forming?
Rice water can help fragile strands not break or fall out as much, but it won’t stop genetic baldness or severe medical hair loss. If you notice sudden thinning, patches, or pain on your scalp, you should see a dermatologist or trichologist right away.
Should I wash my hair after using rice water?
No, you usually shampoo your hair first, then use rice water as a treatment or conditioner, and then rinse it out with clean water. If their hair tends to feel dry, some people put on a light conditioner or leave-in on the ends.
What kind of rice is best for rinsing hair?
The most common and easiest to work with is plain white rice. You can also use jasmine or basmati rice, but they might change the smell a little. Don’t eat flavoured or instant rice because it may have additives that your scalp won’t like.
