I'm definitely interested in the enhanced retention, tangle reduction and scalp benefits of rice water. So...tonight I'm decided to give it a try!
My method: I took 1/4 cup brown rice and 2 cups of water and let it soak overnight (starting from Sunday evening), strained it and let it ferment for 12 until I was ready to wash my hair. So my total time of preparation of my rice water was 24 hrs (
as former microbiology researcher, I'm not too interested in letting it ferment for much longer, but that's just my bias). Disclaimer: I added 24 drops of Rosemary essential oil and 6 drops Peppermint Essential Oil to my rice water. I let it sit on my hair for 15 minutes post-shampoo (very tingly but relaxing
), rinsed it out and then followed it with 15 minutes of a protein-free DC.
Immediate results: I noticed a mild decrease in hair fall (to clarify: this is hair just falling out from the water running over my scalp) overall. Over time I suspect the amount will definitely decrease even further. My scalp felt a lot cleaner. Usually there are at least 3-5 eczema patches that stubbornly cling to my scalp (which I have to rub ACV on to get rid of), but tonight only one tiny patch was there. But the biggest improvement was in detangling my hair. Never in my life have I EVER detangled (using both my fingers and my wide-toothed comb) so easily and quickly.
Very little breakage and shedding was minimum.
So far I am pleased. Definitely interested in seeing what happens with consistent use.