I Used Rice Water on My Hair for 30 Days — My Growth Was Unreal

Last updated on: January 28, 2026

If you spend any time on TikTok or Instagram, you’ve probably seen at least one girl showing off her long, shiny, “hair-down-to-my-back” transformation. And if you look closely, you’ll notice one thing they all swear by — rice water. At first, I honestly laughed. I thought, Really? Something sitting in my kitchen can grow my hair? But after seeing it everywhere for months, my curiosity finally won.

I decided to try it for myself — every single day for 30 days.

And let me tell you… my results felt unreal.

This is my full, honest experience so you know exactly what you can expect if you decide to try it too.

Table of Contents

What Even Is Rice Water? And Why Is Everyone Obsessed?

Rice water is literally the starchy water that’s left after rinsing or soaking rice. It’s simple, cheap, and has been used for centuries by women in Asia, especially the Yao women of China who are famous for their very long, healthy hair.

The reason so many women in the US are loving it now is because it’s natural, it’s easy, and it fits perfectly into the whole “simple beauty” trend — the kind where you use what you already have in your home.

People online say rice water can help with:

smoother hair
less breakage
faster growth
more shine
stronger ends

Of course, there’s always that question in the back of your mind: Does it really work or is it just another trend?

That’s exactly why I tested it.

The Science in Simple Words

You don’t need to be a scientist to understand why rice water works. It’s full of:

Amino acids — your hair loves these
Antioxidants — protect your strands
Vitamins B, C, and E — nourish and strengthen
Inositol — a compound that helps repair damaged hair

Think of rice water like a natural conditioner that sticks to your strands and keeps them safe from breakage. When your hair breaks less, it grows more.

How I Made My Rice Water (Easy Version Anyone Can Do)

I tried a few methods, but this is the one that worked best:

Take 1 cup of rice (any kind works — I used jasmine).
Rinse it once to remove dust.
Add 2 cups of warm water.
Let it sit for 30 minutes.
Strain it into a spray bottle.
Optional but recommended: add a few drops of lavender or orange oil for the smell.

I kept mine in the fridge and made a fresh batch every 3–4 days.

My Hair Type (So You Can Compare With Yours)

Before starting, here’s what my hair was like:

slightly wavy
medium thickness
dry ends
some breakage
slow growth (like half an inch a month)

I always say this part because your results may be better, slower, or different based on your own hair type.

My 30-Day Rice Water Journey

Week 1 — “Okay, I Think Something Is Happening…”

The first few days were… interesting. The smell is something you need to get used to, even with the essential oils. But once I figured out how long to leave it in (10–15 minutes), it became easy.

By the end of week one, I noticed:

softer hair
easier detangling
less hair in my brush

No big growth yet, but definitely small changes.

Week 2 — Shine, Strength, and Way Less Breakage

This is when things started getting real.

Every time I rinsed my hair, it just felt stronger. The kind of strong where you run your fingers through it and it doesn’t snap.

My biggest Week 2 changes:

hair looked shinier
my ends felt smoother
I wasn’t shedding as much in the shower
my ponytail felt a bit fuller

Still not wild growth, but I could feel my hair getting healthier from the inside.

Week 3 — “Wait… Is That New Growth?”

This was the turning point. I remember waking up one morning, looking in the mirror, and seeing that my roots looked thicker and longer.

I measured out of curiosity — and yes, I had grown almost ¾ of an inch already. That’s more than I normally grow in a whole month.

Other things I noticed:

fewer split ends
my curls/waves had more bounce
my hair felt “heavier” in a good way

I wasn’t expecting this much progress this soon.

Week 4 — The Unreal Growth Stage

By week four, I felt like I was living one of those TikTok “after 30 days” videos.

My hair had officially grown over 1.5 inches in 30 days.
My usual monthly growth is ½ inch.

That’s 3x my normal growth.

The best part? The strength. When I brushed my hair, I barely saw any breakage at all. My ends didn’t look fried anymore. My ponytail looked thicker. And my friends started noticing — which was honestly the nicest confidence boost.

Before & After — The Proof I Needed

I took pictures on Day 1 and Day 30.

Seeing them side by side made me say the same thing every woman wants to say about her hair:

“Wow… THIS is working.”

My hair:

looked healthier
had more shine
had more movement
was visibly longer
felt fuller at the ends

It wasn’t a small change. It was a transformation.

Benefits I Experienced (Super Honest List)

Here’s everything I felt after 30 days:

Faster growth
Less shedding
Fewer split ends
Smoother strands
Stronger ends
Better shine
Easier styling
My hair didn’t feel “weak” anymore

And yes — the growth was the best part.

Downsides You Should Know Before You Try

Rice water is great, but not perfect.

Here’s what I learned:

If you have low-porosity hair, use it less often.
If you use it too much, your hair might feel stiff.
Fermented rice water smells strong (like… very strong).
Always rinse it out — don’t leave it in too long.
Do a patch test if you have a sensitive scalp.

For me, none of these were deal breakers, and they’re easy to manage.

How You Can Add Rice Water to Your Routine

If you want to try it, here’s what I recommend:

Use it 1–2 times per week.
Leave it on for 10–20 minutes.
Rinse out thoroughly.
Follow with your normal conditioner.
Be consistent — that’s the secret.

You don’t need to use it daily like I did. Even twice a week can give you great results.

So… Is Rice Water Worth the Hype? My Final Thoughts

Absolutely. At least for me.

It’s rare to find a home remedy that costs almost nothing, takes a few minutes to make, and actually gives results that you can see and feel. Rice water did that for my hair — and honestly, I wish I had tried it sooner.

If you’re dealing with slow growth, breakage, or dull hair, this is one routine that’s definitely worth trying. Just stick with it, take your before photos, and watch the magic happen in a few weeks.

Your hair deserves a little extra love, and rice water is one of the easiest ways to give it that.