DIY Hair Gel with Flaxseed

Do you have frizzy hair or hair that needs help curling naturally? If so I think you will be pleased by my 100% natural and cheap way to make my DIY hair gel with flaxseed  for curly hair.

Now the question is why go for a homemade hair gel when you can easily buy it from a store and avoid all the extra hassle.

This flaxseed gel helps in enhancing your curls, makes hair softer and shinier, nourishes the hair follicles, smoothens frizz, sleeks down edges, does not flake, protects hair, and is great for all hair types, but especially if you are looking to define your curl naturally!

The main ingredient of the gel is Flaxseed. Flaxseeds are a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E. Omega-3 fatty acids are crucial for healthy hair growth. These potent seeds help in nourishing the roots and follicles, making them stronger and less prone to damage. They also help in controlling oil production on the scalp, allowing just the right amount for the new hair to grow whilst improving hair elasticity as well.

Ingredients of the DIY hair gel with flaxseeds

• Golden Flaxseeds

Flax is believed to be native to Egypt, but its origins are not confirmed since it has been used widely around the world. It is cultivated in many places, including South America, Europe, Asia, and parts of the United States. Golden flax seeds are a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, vitamin B6, copper, manganese and dietary fibers. They also contain selenium, magnesium, and phosphorus.

Benefits:

Omega-3 fatty acids provide essential moisture to the scalp and control extra oil production in case you have an oily scalp. It helps with scalp problems like dandruff and eczema.  Flaxseeds provide all the essential vitamins like vitamin B6, vitamin E and all the potent minerals like manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, and copper that provide full nourishment to the hair follicles whilst encouraging hair growth. 

• Aloe Vera juice

Aloe Vera juice is extracted from the Aloe Vera plant, which is native to Tropical and Southern Africa, Madagascar, Jordan, the Arabian Peninsula, and various islands in the Indian Ocean.

Benefits:

Aloe Vera is an amazing all-rounder ingredient for many problems. It contains vitamin A, C and E, folic acid, choline, B1, B2, B3, and B6. It is one of those few plants which contain vitamin B12 as well. It also contains around 20 minerals including calcium, magnesium, chromium, zinc, selenium, potassium, sodium, iron, copper and manganese. Aloe Vera gives hair strength and a shiny gloss. It forms a protective layer around the hair and keeps them safe from dust, pollution, and other environmental factors. It also contains proteolytic enzymes that promote natural hair growth. Aloe Vera has anti-dandruff, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties, which help the scalp in fighting off bacterial infections. 

• Coconut oil

Coconut oil is extracted from the kernels of mature coconuts. It is now grown in several parts of the world but mainly found in Fiji, Samoa as well as in India, Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand.

Benefits:

Coconut oil contains 11.7 g of saturated fats, which comprise of caproic, caprylic, capric, lauric, palmitic, and stearic acid. Coconut oil moisturizes dry hair and adds shine and luster to it. It stimulates hair growth by going deep into the follicles and fighting scalp problems like lice and dandruff. Coconut oil also helps in slowing down hair fall and prevents hair breakage and split ends. 

• Optional Essential Oils

Essential oils have been in the news for a long time due to their potent healing properties. They provide multiple benefits for your hair and skin. Here are some optional oils that can be added into the recipe to gain some additional benefits. 

• Jasmine essential oil

Jasmine essential oil is extracted from Jasminum Grandiflora. It is believed to have originated in the Himalayas in Western China.

Benefits:

Jasmine essential oil is known for its sweet and light fragrance. It is light in consistency and penetrates the hair shaft and cuticle promoting healthy hair and less breakage. It is antiseptic in nature and purifies the scalp of bacteria and dandruff. Jasmine oil also helps in taming frizz and gives life to your curls. Its moisturizing properties will help in softening up your hair, thus giving them a healthy and bouncy feel!

• Patchouli essential oil

Patchouli essential oil is commonly used in aromatherapy. It comes from the leaves of the Pogostemon cablin plant (a perennial herb native to India and Malaysia). It has long been used in Asian medicine especially in Malaysia, China and Japan.

Benefits:

Patchouli essential oil has astringent, antiseptic and fungicide properties that help in fighting multiple scalp conditions like eczema, dandruff, and psoriasis. It also enhances hair growth.

• Bergamot essential oil

Bergamot essential oil is a cold-pressed essential oil produced by the cells inside the rind of a bergamot orange fruit. Mostly the production of bergamot essential oil takes place in Southern Italy.

Benefits:

The natural stimulants in bergamot essential oil get absorbed into the scalp and direct blood flow, ensuring proper delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicles, resulting in hair growth.

 How to Apply this DIY hair gel? 

• After washing your hair, directly apply this homemade flaxseed gel onto wet hair. Do not use a brush to detangle your hair, rather use your fingers to slowly detangle.
• After applying the gel, wait for your hair to dry naturally. Do not use a hair dryer, as it will not give the desired results.
• Once it’s dry, gently scrunch your hair for about 20 seconds using your fingers.
• This DIY hair gel helps curly hair in retaining its elasticity and luster, but a word of caution for those who do not have curly hair, this gel does not help in attaining curls so do not expect a miracle.
• If you have wavy hair, It will help define the waves and brings back some curls depending on your hair type.
• This gel lasts a maximum of 1 week in the fridge.

 

Why You Should Avoid Commercial Hair Gels?

Store bought hair gels contain a huge amount of chemicals that are hazardous and can cause irreversible damage to your hair. For example, hair gels like ORS Olive Oil Edge Control rated 8 out of 10 on toxicity level, which is quite hazardous. The commercially manufactured ones contain propylparaben, fragrance, DHDM hydantoin, and methylparaben.

• Fragrance

Fragrance provides a beautiful and mesmerizing smell to the product. Although it is not a specified ingredient, it still poses some serious threats to your health, including skin/eye allergies, respiratory problems, Dermatitis, and potential reproductive defects.

• Propylparaben and Methylparaben

Parabens are used as a preservative in the gel. They can cause allergic reactions and are linked with many skin conditions such as dermatitis and rosacea. A study shows that parabens cause endocrine disruption and interferes with glandular activity and hormone production.

• DHDM Hydantoin

DMDM Hydantoin is used as a preservative to increase the shelf life of the product. It is known to cause eye, skin, and lung irritation, as well as immunotoxicity in humans.

• Benzyl Benzoate

Benzyl Benzoate is mainly used as a fragrance ingredient and preservative. Prolonged use can cause allergies/immunotoxicity, Ecotoxicology, and Endocrine disruption.