Flaxseed: Hair Benefits and How to Use
Flax seeds are found in all kinds of foods from oatmeal to frozen waffles. Flax seeds have omega–3 essential fatty acids, which are considered a healthy fat. Flax seeds are beneficial for heart health and are easily available. You can find them pretty much everywhere. They are a dry good that can be stored long term in the pantry, or can also be frozen to extend their shelf life.
These days, flax seeds are a darling of the wellness world. You’ve probably heard of its various health benefits, but less known is that those same flax seeds wield beauty perks as well. More specifically, this ingredient can do wonders for hair when ingested or applied topically. Here, we explain everything you need to know about flax seeds (or flaxseed) including how to incorporate them into your hair routine (and if it even makes sense for you to do so).
What Are Flax Seeds?
Flax seeds (or flaxseed) are an excellent source of protein, omega–3 fatty acids, fiber, and antioxidants. As a superfood, they’re lauded for improving overall health, but this versatile seed can also benefit hair and skin. As such, it’s a popular ingredient in beauty products like gels, moisturizers, and oils.
Flaxseed For Hair
| Type of ingredient: | Hydrator and anti–inflammatory |
| Main benefits: | Soothes the scalp, moisturizes, and strengthens hair |
| Who should use it: | All hair types, especially thin and/or brittle |
| How often can you use it: | When taken orally, it can be used daily; a topical application can be used weekly. |
| Works well with: | Antioxidants, plant–based oils, and carrier oils (e.g. coconut and olive oil) for thicker, drier hair types. |
| Don’t use with: | There are no ingredients believed to interact negatively with flaxseed. |
The Benefits of Flaxseed for Hair
Flaxseed contributes to a healthy hair diet—but how exactly? Well, the benefits stem from the many nutrient–rich components of this plant–based ingredient. Specifically, flaxseeds are high in lignans, compounds found in fiber–rich plants. Lignans have very high antioxidant properties that keep hair dense and shiny, and can even maximize its volume and elasticity. Here’s how:
- Hydrates: Flaxseed combats dryness and frizz thanks to its moisturizing properties. Flaxseeds are packed with things like Vitamin E, fiber, and omega–3 fatty acids.
- Repairs: Because flaxseed is good at binding moisture to the hair, this reduces breakage and split ends. Flaxseed reverses damage by sealing the cuticle of the hair strand. Not only does this improve elasticity but it also prevents it from further breakage.
- Strengthens: Fiber aids in strengthening hair at its core. In the same way, the omega–3 fatty acids improve the health of your hair by making it stronger and improving its elasticity.
- Soothes: As an excellent plant–based source of anti–inflammatory alpha–linolenic acid (ALA), flaxseed supports overall scalp health and calms scalp irritations, especially when associated with eczema or psoriasis. It can even prevent dandruff, too.
- Promotes Hair Growth: Lack of hair growth is one of the top three hair concerns of American women—fortunately, flaxseed can help with this. It can regrow damaged hair from the root. Flaxseed can promote healthier hair follicles by systemically reducing inflammation.
- Can Prevent Grays: Flaxseed can actually delay gray hair from forming.
- Protects: Flaxseed oil is also rich in Vitamin E, another powerful antioxidant. It can work to reduce the damaging effects of free radicals and help promote healthy hair follicles.
Hair Type Considerations
While it is somewhat of a universal ingredient, flaxseed may benefit certain hair types and textures more so than others. All hair types can benefit from using flaxseed because all hair types experience breakage. However, hair textures that are thin and brittle may benefit most from using products containing flaxseed.
And if you decide to use flaxseed in a gel form, curlier hair holds gel products best as they seal the curls and help fight frizz. It’s also worth considering your skin type when using flaxseed topically. Given flaxseed oil has the potential to clog pores you should avoid using it if your scalp is oily or acne–prone.
How to Use Flaxseed for Hair
Flaxseed is a versatile ingredient that comes in various forms—seed, oil, and gel. As a seed and oil it can be ingested and as an oil and gel, it can be applied topically. You have the option of either whipping up your own DIY Flaxseed Hair Gel at home or purchasing a hair gel containing flaxseed in–store. Check out our post for a list of brands that carry gels and oils that are made with flaxseed. They have benefits like sealing moisture into the hair strands and creating a strong hold to help fight frizz in curls. But no matter how you decide to use flaxseed, start by cleansing hair beforehand with a moisturizing formula, following up with a hydrating conditioner.
- Add To Your Diet: Consuming flaxseed oil or seeds is a safe and effective way of incorporating flaxseed into your diet. Typically, a 100mg to 500mg daily dose would be advantageous. You can even add 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil to your morning smoothies.
- Use as Scalp or Hair Treatment: Using flaxseed oil topically is also a good idea, it can either be massaged into the scalp or used as a hair mask periodically.
- Use as Styling Product: Use flaxseed in the form of oil. Applying it to wet hair and scalp will help the oil penetrate the hair strand best. I recommend letting the oil dry with the hair and then style as usual. If your hair is prone to breakage, you can use it as needed.
- Make a Homemade Flaxseed Hair Gel: As a gel, flaxseed is gaining popularity with those with curly hair for defining coils—without the flakes. And since it is a DIY you know exactly what’s going into your product and, more importantly, your hair.
Homemade Flaxseed Hair Gel
Flaxseed gel leaves hair soft, shiny, and moisturized. You can actually reuse the flax seeds multiple times to make this gel. It provides hold with no crunching or flaking, and it mixes well with other hair products. When it comes to hair, the fatty acids in flaxseed gel moisturize, strengthen, and protect the hair shaft. Making this flaxseed hair gel is super simple.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup of flax seeds
- 2.5 cups filtered or distilled water
- 4–6 drops essential oils (optional)
- Aloe Vera (optional)
- A pot
- A pair of stockings
- A reusable jar with a lid (preferably glass)
Directions
- Pour ¼ cup flax seeds into 2.5 cups of water.
- Bring to boil on medium heat for about 7–10 minutes, stirring often to ensure the flax seeds don’t stick to the bottom of the pan. You’ll want the texture of the flaxseed mucilage (the gel) to be consistent with egg whites.
- Turn off the stove and allow the gel to cool with the flaxseed for 45 minutes to an hour. During this time, the gel will thicken.
- Next, place a knee–high stocking in a glass measuring cup, then pour the mixture into the stocking.
- Here’s the fun part: Squeeze the gel out of the stocking and into the measuring cup to strain the gel (this will take a few tries).
- This step is optional, but you can add Aloe Vera gel and a few drops of essential oil to your mixture. To temper an itchy scalp, try adding tea tree oil. For hair growth, try adding a few drops of rosemary oil.
- Next, pour your gel into a glass bottle or jar and store it in the refrigerator.
Suggestions for Tweaking This Recipe
- You can add Epsom salts or Magnesium flakes (Magnesium Oil) to define curls. While Epsom salts produce more defined curls, they also leave your hair dry. An alternative would be Magnesium flakes (Magnesium oil) that produce curls but won’t leave your hair dry.
- You can add a few drops of Vitamin E oil as a preservative, or for nourishing your hair. I used Argan oil as it won’t weigh hair down, and also contains Vitamin E.
- If your hair is dry, you can add a teaspoon of Avocado or Apricot kernel oil.
- You can opt for any essential oil. I chose Tangerine and Eucalyptus for their scent and energizing properties.
- If you want a hair gel that helps with detangling add Slippery Elm or Marshmallow root.
FAQ
How long does homemade flaxseed hair gel last?
Flaxseed gel can last up to three weeks in the refrigerator with the help of essential oils like rosemary, jasmine, or lavender.
Are there any side effects of using flaxseed on hair?
While it’s well–tolerated and unlikely to cause any side effects, it is high on the comedogenic scale, meaning it can potentially clog pores for some people.
Is it okay to apply flaxseed oil directly to my hair and scalp?
Topical applications of flaxseed oil are inadvisable as they’re unlikely to do anything substantial and may encourage overgrowth of things such as the Demodex parasite, which consumes oil on the scalp.
Other Resources
If you are curious how toxic your current hair gel brand is, I highly recommend checking it out through EWG’s Skin Deep cosmetic database. Enter your product and it will rate how toxic it is and even break those toxins by individual ingredients.
Having so many options to making your own homemade hair gel means the possibilities are endless. Have you tried to make you own hair gel? How did it work out? Do you have any tips to share? If so, please leave a comment below.
Sources:
DIY: Homemade Natural Hair Gel
https://www.organicauthority.com/energetic-health/diy-homemade-natural-hair-gel
AYLIN ERMAN, UPDATED: OCT 22, 2018, ORIGINAL: OCT 28, 2013
How to Make Homemade Hair Gel (18 DIY Recipes)
https://brightstuffs.com/how-to-make-homemade-hair-gel-diy/
DECEMBER 10, 2018
How To Make Your Own Hair Gel at Home
https://www.byrdie.com/how-to-make-your-own-hair-gel-at-home-1387811
by ERIN HUFFSTETLER, UPDATED ON FEB 11, 2022, Reviewed by NIGELLA MILLER
3 Natural Hair Gel Recipes
https://mommypotamus.com/diy-hair-gel/
Heather Dessinger