What Is Flaxseed Gel?
Flaxseed gel is concocted from the seeds of flax, a flowering plant. It acts as an agent for conditioning and defining curls. It works without weighing your hair down. Flaxseed gel is almost free from any odor and is colorless. The gel can supply your mane with vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids (1). Before we go ahead with its beneficial effects on hair, let’s delve into the differences between flaxseed gel and flaxseed oil.
Flaxseed Gel Vs. Flaxseed Oil
Both flaxseed gel and flaxseed oil offer similar advantages, with a couple of distinctions. Flaxseed gel, being water-based, provides hair moisturization and serves as a versatile styler for natural hair, defining curls, twist out hairstyles, and more. On the other hand, flaxseed oil enhances hair shine and delivers comparable hair health benefits to the gel. However, the oil lacks inherent moisturizing properties and styling capabilities. Therefore, the gel is your go-to option for hair styling and keeping the strands hydrated. Additionally, flaxseed gel is also a popular choice for those seeking a natural, eco-friendly alternative to conventional hair products for a sustainable beauty routine. Now that we know the difference between them, let us understand in detail how the gel is beneficial for those with curly hair.
How Is Flaxseed Gel Beneficial For Curly Hair?
Managing curly hair is a rather difficult affair. But you can use flaxseed gel to manage those curls and steer clear of many hair issues.
1. May Nourish Dry And Damaged Hair
Flaxseed gel can help treat damaged hair by supplementing it with nutrition. Some believe the vitamin E in the gel may protect and hydrate the scalp. However, more information is needed in this regard.
2. May Combat Hair Fall
Curly hair loses moisture too soon and is prone to split ends and breakage. The omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseed gel may help promote hair health (1). Anecdotal evidence suggests it also may stop hair breakage. In addition, many hair experts suggest the usage of flaxseeds for hair growth. Flaxseed gel is highly recommended if you are facing hair loss issues.
3. May Help Control Frizz
The most common issue with curly hair is frizz. Lack of moisture can leave your curls in tangles. Flaxseed may keep the hair moisturized and smoothen it out, reducing frizz.
4. May Add A Bounce To Your Locks
Curly hair becomes all the more unmanageable when it falls flat without any bounce and ends up looking limp. Flaxseed gel clumps the locks in a balanced way and adds more definition. It also adds that extra bounce to your hair strands.
5. May Straighten Your Hair
Hair straightening methods often employ chemicals and hot instruments that cause severe damage to the hair and scalp. Flaxseed gel could be a viable option for those seeking an organic and safe straightening technique. Courtney, a YouTuber, discusses how to make flaxseed gel at home and the benefits of using it for your hair. She says, “Some of the benefits of making a flaxseed gel are that flexi gel does add an incredible amount of shine to my hair. It also acts like a humectant because it has a lot of vitamin B in it. Another thing I really love about it is that it is very cost-effective. Fantastic! It also acts like an amazing curl enhancer for me (i).” To further understand the benefits of flaxseed gel for hair, we have compared it with other organic gels widely used by people. Keep reading.
Flaxseed Gel Vs. Other Natural Gels
Gelatin Hair Gel
Gelatin hair gel contains more protein than flaxseed gel and may harden the hair strands if overused. Gelatin gel may also rob your curls of their flexibility. Moreover, this gel is usually made from animal collageni It refers to a natural structural protein found in our skin, joints, and connective tissues. It is also used in cosmetic surgeries. and may not suit vegans or vegetarians.
Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera gel is a good moisturizing agent. However, it has a softer hold on your curls when compared to flaxseed hair gel. Aloe vera gel may work well for straight hair, though. Overall, flaxseed gel offers organic benefits to people with curly hair. Most curly-haired individuals vouch for its efficacy for curly hair styling. Some even claim that this gel offers the strongest hold on curly hair. Besides, making flaxseed gel at home is easy. We show you how in the following section.
How To Make Your Own DIY Flaxseed Gel
Any supermarket shelf gives you the commercial version of flaxseed gel. But these versions most likely contain preservatives or chemicals. Making flaxseed gel at home requires very few commonly available ingredients. It is easier, less expensive, and preservative-free. Where To Find The Ingredients You can pick a pack of flaxseeds from a convenience store nearby. Use whole flaxseeds for making the gel as the ground variant is suitable only for consumption. Use filtered water to enhance the quality of the hair gel. Make the flaxseed gel with tap water, if filtered water is not an option. These do-it-yourself gels can be made in different ways. Here is a quick recipe. DIY Flaxseed Gel Recipe For Curly Hair You Will Need
¼ cup of flaxseeds 2 ½ cups of filtered water A saucepan A strainer A container
How To Make
How Long Does A Homemade Flaxseed Gel Last?
Pure flaxseed gel can be used for up to 2 weeks when refrigerated. The addition of any essential oils increases its shelf life by approximately 2 to 3 months. However, using an excess of essential oils may make the gel less effective. Take care to add only a few drops of the essential oil (1%). Store the gel in an airtight container to ward off any bacterial or fungal growth. The airtight container has to be well-refrigerated. A rotten gel is easy to identify as it is characterized by a bad odor.
How To Style Curly Hair With Flaxseed Gel
Wash the hair thoroughly with a shampoo. Ensure the hair is tangle-free before applying the gel. Section the hair with a comb or brush and flip the hair over the head while applying the gel. Squeeze or remove a small portion of the gel from the container (about half a teaspoon). Optionally, mix it with your favorite leave-in conditioner. Apply the gel to wet hair with a top-to-bottom stroke. Let it dry naturally. Do not rake your hair. The hair may look stiff initially. Give those stiff curls a good squishing with your hands. See your hair transform into soft, manageable curls. You can reactivate your day-two curls by misting them with water and applying a small amount of flaxseed gel to reshape curls.
Avoid using heat styling tools post-application to maintain moisture and curl definition. If you want to transform your curly hair into straight locks, the following recipe can help.
How To Make A Flaxseed Gel Straightener
You Will Need
3 tablespoons of flaxseeds 1 tablespoon of pure aloe vera gel 2 tablespoons of castor oil 1 tablespoon of lemon juice 1 teaspoon of raw honey 1 ½ cups of water 5 drops of any essential oil (optional) A strainer A saucepan A container
How To Make How To Apply
Using Flaxseed Gel: Tips And Warnings
Tips Warnings How long does flaxseed gel last without refrigeration? Flaxseed gel lasts only for a few days without refrigeration. Hence, it is recommended to keep it in the refrigerator if you want to store it for longer. Can you reuse flaxseed after making gel? Yes, you can reuse the seeds up to three times after making the gel. Can I mix flaxseed gel with coconut oil? Yes, you can mix flaxseed gel with coconut oil for additional moisturization. Does flaxseed reverse gray hair? Flaxseeds are full of vitamin E, which is fantastic for the health of your hair. It is said to improve circulation in the scalp, which helps to prevent premature graying of hair. However, more scientific research is needed to back up this claim. Is flaxseed gel good for low-porosity hairi The natural structure of the hair that doesn’t allow for proper absorption of moisture or treatments into the hair shaft. ? Yes, flaxseed gel is good for moisturizing low-porosity hair. Can we mix flaxseed gel with onion juice? Yes, you can mix flaxseed gel with onion juice as it is the best combination for hair growth. Check out this video for tips and a reliable method to create flaxseed hair gel at home. Master the step-by-step process for consistently perfect batches every time
