DIY Flaxseed Gel For Curly Hair: Benefits & How To Use It

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.

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. Anecdotal evidence suggests it also may stop hair breakage.

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.

Quick Tip

Flaxseed gel is water-soluble. It doesn’t build up and weigh down on people with fine hair. However, avoid layering emulsion-based hair products along with it.

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  XIt 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

1. Measure out a quarter cup of flaxseeds into a clean container and add two and a half cups of filtered or distilled water to it.
2. Soak the seeds overnight as it helps increase the gel volume.
3. Cover the solution with a lid and keep it refrigerated for at least 8 hours or longer.
4. Pour the solution into a saucepan and bring it to a boil on a medium to high flame.
5. Once the solution boils, let it simmer for 7 to 10 minutes.
6. Stir occasionally to keep the seeds from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
7. Turn off the flame as a brown foam appears. The consistency at this point should be similar to that of an egg white. Ideally, it should not be too loose or too hard.
8. Run the hot mixture through a strainer and collect it into an airtight container.
9. Let the gel cool before you close the lid.
10. You also may add your favorite essential oils or aloe vera to the gel to enhance its quality.

Quick Tip

Your gel can be enhanced by adding shea butter (for more shine), honey (for moisture), argan oil (humectant)ⁱ  XA hydrating element that retains moisture and is often used in skincare products, such as lotions and body butters. , collagen peptides (for defined curls), or Epsom salt (for a stronger hold).

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).
• 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.

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

1. Add flaxseeds to boiling water.
2. Let the water simmer. Stir occasionally to help release the flaxseed gel.
3. Remove the mixture from the heat after three minutes and allow it to cool down completely.
4. Collect the flaxseed gel by passing it through a fine-mesh strainer.
5. Pour the fresh flaxseed gel into the clean container.
6. Stir well after adding the aloe vera gel, lemon juice, castor oil, raw honey, and the essential oil (if any).
7. Store in the container and refrigerate.

How To Apply 

1. Apply the gel to wet hair with a top-to-bottom stroke.
2. Use a wide-tooth comb and smoothen all the hair sections.
3. Rinse the hair softly with cool water to remove the gel.
4. Apply conditioner if necessary and rinse again.
5. Let your hair naturally dry without using a towel.
6. Comb your hair once again.

Using Flaxseed Gel: Tips And Warnings

Tips

1. What determines the quality of the flaxseed gel is its holding power. A thinner gel has a lower holding power, whereas a thicker gel has a higher holding power.
2. The golden-brown seeds give a gel with lower holding power. Use brown flaxseeds for a thicker gel.
3. The gel consistency can be increased or decreased by varying the volume of water added, the number of flax seeds used, and the duration it is boiled for.

Warnings

1. Use only the prescribed amount of flaxseed gel. Excess of the gel can cause hair stiffness.
2. Do a test trial on a portion of your hair when combining the gel with commercial products.
3. You may sometimes experience your hair turning slightly crisper than usual.
4. Keep blow-drying to a minimum when you have the gel on.

Infographic: 6 Ways To Utilize Your Stock Of Flaxseeds

Flaxseeds are a popular plant-based food packed with healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidantsi. They are great for overall health and well-being and benefit one’s hair and skin, whether topically applied or consumed. Check out the infographic below to learn how to make the most of this ‘superfood’.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

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  XThe 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

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Dr. Meena KonadaMBBS, DDVL

     

Dr. Meena Konada is a board-certified dermatologist with 9 years of experience. She is a public health nutrition graduate from New Jersey, USA. She specializes in aesthetics and trichology and is a practicing consultant in one of the internationally renowned skin clinics in Hyderabad, India. She believes in a holistic and patient-centric approach to develop customized treatment plans for her...more

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Annie Jangam is a researcher-turned-content writer with 11 years of experience. She enjoys dissecting complex clinical studies and shuffling through the scientific jargon to make science interesting and easy to understand. Her scientific aptitude and love for writing paved the way to pursue a career in writing research-backed articles on skin care and hair care. Her expertise stems from her...more

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Eshna is an associate editor and a certified skin care coach. She has over three years of experience, a triple main bachelor’s degree in psychology, English, and journalism from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, and a master’s degree in psychology from Sampurna Montfort College, Bengaluru. Her passion for writing and editing and her background in psychology help her create content that...more

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