Q&A for How to Make Flaxseed Hair Gel

Flaxseeds work on dreads as a great moisturizer. If you look up tutorials, you see that many people use flaxseed gel to re-lock their dreads.

Use in the same way you would use whole flaxseed, just make sure you use a stocking to strain it.

Chia seeds work well as a replacement for flaxseed. They both create a sort of gel product.

As long as it's fresh, whole flaxseed, the brand doesn't matter. Some people claim that golden flaxseed makes better gel than regular brown flaxseed. The most notable different will be the color: brown flaxseed makes a grayish color, while golden flaxseed makes a beige.

Boil for about 8 minutes before straining. You can simmer the strained gel for a while to evaporate more water out, but not for too long -- you don't want to burn it. Sometimes the refrigerated gel separates a little, leaving water and a blob of gel in the container. You can avoid that by using a whisk attachment on an electric mixer to whip the heck out of it after it's strained.

Stir some sugar or citric acid into the mixture before boiling. These work as a preservative. But keep in mind that keeping it in the fridge is the best option, as flaxseed gel tends to separate if kept in a warm place.

Yes, it does, but it doesn't have as much hold as many store-bought options.

Yes, although it might not hold your hair as well as some store-bought gels.

The entire point of hair gel is to leave it in after washing your hair, to dry or to style. If you wash your hair, the gel will be gone & of no use.

Sure! As long as the essential oils of the seeds have not dried out, it should work the same and may even be easier to strain.

I freeze a batch of gel in a silicone ice cube tray. When the freezing is complete, I remove the gel from the silicone ice cube container and store the gel in the freezer in a freezer proof container. I defrost it before applying it to my hair or just pour some boiling water over it in a small dish. I use an ice cube's worth of gel per treatment.

After making flaxseed gel, you can compost the seeds, grind them into powder for baking or smoothies, use them in scrubs or masks, add them to smoothies or baked goods, make flaxseed tea, or use them as animal feed.

Yes, the type of flaxseed can slightly affect the gel, but the difference is minimal. Brown flaxseeds are more common and may produce a slightly thicker gel. Golden flaxseeds may result in a clearer gel with a milder taste. Both types have similar nutritional benefits and are suitable for hair care, so the choice depends on preference or availability.

To make flaxseed gel, the amount of flaxseeds depends on how much gel you want. For 1 cup of gel, use about 1/4 cup of flaxseeds. For 2-3 cups, use about 1/2 cup of flaxseeds. Boil the seeds with water to achieve a gel-like consistency, and adjust to your preference for thickness.

It's not recommended to use roasted, salted flaxseeds for making gel. The roasting process can alter the seeds' texture and properties, and the added salt can affect the gel's consistency and quality. For the best results, use raw or unroasted flaxseeds, as they release a gel-like substance when boiled with water, giving you the smooth texture needed for hair gel.

You can leave flaxseed gel in your hair as long as you'd like, as it acts as a natural, nourishing leave-in conditioner and styling gel. You can keep it in throughout the day or overnight for extra moisture and definition. If it's your first time, you might want to check if it feels heavy or sticky, and rinse it out after a few hours if needed.

Yes, you can use flaxseed gel to twist your hair after washing and conditioning. It provides moisture, hold, and definition without being too heavy. Apply it to damp hair, twist in sections, and let your hair air dry or use a blow dryer with a diffuser.

Yes, you can use flaxseed gel as a face mask! It is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins, making it great for hydrating and soothing the skin. Apply a thin layer to your clean, dry face, leave it on for 10-15 minutes, then rinse off with warm water. It can help with hydration, reducing inflammation, and promoting smooth skin. Be sure to patch test first to ensure you don’t have any sensitivity.

It depends on the type of gel. Natural gels like flaxseed gel are typically used as leave-in products and don't need to be rinsed out. However, if the gel provides a strong hold or makes your hair stiff, you might want to rinse it out eventually. Always follow the instructions on the packaging for other styling gels.

Heat destroys some nutrients in all food products. Most of the time though, it doesn't destroy enough for it to be of concern. As long as you don't boil it for too long, it shouldn't be a problem.

Yes, but your hair may look oily or greasy if you don't wash it regularly. Use shampoo and conditioner, then add your flaxseed gel to give your hair more definition and body. If your hair starts to smell or get weighed down by the gel, wash it out before you add more.

Flaxseed hair gel can last up to 2 months if it's stored in a covered container. But, you should smell the gel every time you open it to see if it smells rotten. In your hair, the gel can add texture and definition to your hair for as long as you leave it in. However, you'll likely need to use more flaxseed gel than you would a storebought hair gel.

Yes, you can add flaxseed gel to your hair while it's damp to add soft curls, or use it to add more body and definition to your hair when it dries. You can also use flaxseed gel to style your hair. To wash it out, use shampoo and conditioner like you normally would. You don't have to wash flaxseed gel out of your hair sooner than other hair gel.

The gel forms on its own. The flax seeds thicken the water, leaving a thick consistency.

Flaxseed gel doesn't have as much hold as normal gel, but it should be fine for laying edges.

Stockings (knee-high panty hose); they are cheap, they keep small seed out of the gel, and they're reusable. You could also try cheesecloth.

It is not a treatment, it is a styling product. You only wash out when you wash your hair next.