As you enter middle age, your hair may show natural signs of aging in the form of dry, brittle, and thinning strands. It can be a dreadful task to find the right products to solve your hair problems.
Rice bran oil isn’t necessarily a hot buzz word in the haircare industry…yet. Believe it or not, rice bran oil is rich in essential vitamins and acids that fortify strong hair. Continue reading to uncover the benefits of rice bran oil on boosting the health of your strands.
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What is Rice Bran Oil?
Rice is one of the world’s most important food crops and half of the people in the world eat rice as the main part of their diets. Rice bran oil is sourced from the germ and inner husk of rice. The bran is from the rice’s outer shell and the oil is extracted from within it. Rice bran is commonly used for cooking because it is a healthy alternative to fatty oils.
Rice bran is rich in Vitamin E, which is beneficial to our health in many ways. Rice bran oil is non-GMO and cultivated in Japan, which has many mountainous regions that are ideal for its growth. Chinese and Japanese women have sworn by rice water and oil as a means for strong and shiny hair.
Benefits of Rice Bran Oil:
Soothes and Smooths the Scalp
Using rice bran oil for hair regularly can reduce any inflammation in the scalp. A notable quality of rice bran oil is its hypoallergenic properties, making it a great remedy for irritations and hypersensitivity. Rice bran oil has a high concentration of phytosterols, which have natural anti-inflammatory properties that soothe and heal your skin.
Additionally, the oil has a high concentration of vitamin E and fatty acids, which both provide intense hydration for your skin. Rice bran oil is especially helpful for those that suffer from irritated skin, eczema, and dandruff. The oil helps your scalp fight against the bacteria that cause dandruff and irritation. The oil can also relieve the itchiness that dandruff can cause.
Prevents Breakage
There are few things that are worse than split ends. The oil’s supply of vitamin E repairs and builds tissues. When you apply it to your scalp, it can help reduce inflammation and repair damage to the hair follicles, which in turn can enable healthy hair growth. The oleic and linoleic acid in rice bran oil keep hair flexible and increase elasticity, thus minimizing breakage and split ends.
Stimulates Hair Growth
The ferulic acid and esters present in rice bran oil stimulate hair growth. Additionally, the vitamin E acts as a tissue-builder and dilates your blood vessels. Vitamin E prevents blood clots, allowing blood to circulate through your body to your scalp and deliver crucial follicle nutrients. This process is essential for hair to grow in thick and strong. Also, rice bran oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, which prevents hair follicle inflammation and promotes circulation in the scalp. Omega-3 is a key player in stimulating hair growth.
If regularly applied, the omega-3 and oleic acid present in rice bran oil can help to thicken your hair. The oil should be spread on thinning areas to revive your hair follicles.
Protective Barrier against Environmental Conditions
Pollution and UV Rays are damaging to your strands. Lathering your hair with rice bran oil will create a protective layer against the wind, sun, and cold weather. It contains the chemical compound gamma oryzanol, which research has shown to be a UV blocker.
Fends Off Premature Graying
Not all of us are ready to embrace our grays. Good thing vitamin E is said to have anti-aging properties, and its antioxidants, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, have been shown to nourish hair while fighting premature graying. Rice bran oil supplies the hair and scalp immense amounts of antioxidants to prevent the hair from losing pigment due to oxidative stress.
How to Use Rice Bran Oil
There are several ways to use this magical oil on your hair. You can add some to your shampoo or conditioner or use it straight up to seal your ends. Also, you can start using a sulfate-free shampoo that contains Rice Bran Oil. To maximize the benefits, you can create a hot oil treatment. It is best to do your hot oil treatment on freshly washed hair.
To warm, put your oils in a glass container and add to a bowl of hot water to warm to a desired heat. Part hair in four sections and cover your scalp and hair. Next, cover hair with a plastic cap for 15-20 minutes. Lastly, rinse your hair with only water. Your scalp will thank you!
Let’s Wrap it Up
Long story short, rice bran oil should be worked into your daily haircare regimen. This wonder oil will provide the extra boost of hydration and silkiness you’ve been looking for.
