Does TikTok's rice water hair growth remedy really work?

Although rice water has gained popularity as a hair health booster, experts warn that this easy hair growth trick might not be as effective as it seems, despite its strong online following.

TikTokers say that after soaking or cleaning rice, they should rinse their hair in the starchy, murky water to help with hair development and restore any damage.

The idea is also gaining traction on the internet at large; on TikTok, videos labelled "rice water" have amassed a staggering 986 million views.

On occasion, people leave the water to ferment, frequently adding citrus peels to cover up the smell. Some use the mixture daily, while others only use it once a month.

Promoters of the hair care technique typically assert that their hair can become silky, healthy locks. Dermatologists, however, are unsure.

"Rice is full of nutrients", said Deirdre Hooper, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Audubon Dermatology." However, that doesn’t automatically mean it can improve people’s hair."

“The problem is that we’re making this leap that something that is meant to be consumed can be applied to your hair—which is dead cells—and that it can make all these changes,” she told Health.

Nutrients including magnesium, iron, folic acid, thiamin, and niacin are found in rice itself. Additionally, phenols found in rice water may aid in the treatment of alopecia areata.

Experts assert that there isn't enough data to support the claim that rice water enhances hair health just yet. However, it might potentially make things worse for some people.