Sunny also mentions she loves a rice water rinse, a classic DIY ritual thought to strengthen the hair and scalp. A little information as to why we think it works so well (research hasn’t been done on the treatment, so we don’t know for sure how it works—instead we look to the water’s properties to get an idea of the mechanisms).
Starch is the main ingredient in rice water. It forms a surface around the hair shaft to add strength, help trap water, and minimize the appearance of wear and tear.
The water is also thought to contain some of the good-for-hair actives found in rice generally, including antioxidants, minerals, and amino acids. The antioxidants are a vital part of hair health, as they neutralize free radicals, minerals and amino acids superficially strengthen the strand when applied topically, and it’s also rich in an active called inositol, which studies have shown helps mend and repair hair1.
Read more about rice water hair rinses here.
