When it comes to natural ingredients that can boost hair health, flaxseed is usually overlooked, but flaxseed may offer many benefit for the hair. Flaxseed is packed with great nutrients that may work wonders for your scalp and hair. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at flaxseed benefits for hair and how to use it for hair growth.
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Flaxseeds are rich in healthy fats, vitamins B and E, and omega-3 fatty acids.
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Using flaxseed for hair may help prevent hair damage, strengthen your hair, and balance the pH levels.
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You can use flaxseed for hair growth as a gel or an oil.
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Including flaxseed in your everyday diet can also help you reap maximum benefits.
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Flaxseed can cause allergic reactions, build up, and clogged hair follicles.
What is flaxseed?
Flaxseed is a plant-based food. It offers antioxidants, healthy fat, and fiber. It is also commonly known as flax. It's one of the most powerful plants. Apart from its amazing health benefits, anecdotal evidence shows that flaxseed may help make hair healthy and strong. It may help nourish your hair follicles and smoothen your hair texture. Using flaxseed for hair regularly may help you achieve longer and more lustrous hair. However, there are no large studies supporting this.
Benefits of flaxseed for hair
Using flaxseed gel and oil for hair comes with so many benefits.
- Soothes an irritated scalp. Flaxseed is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which may help reduce scalp sensitivity and inflammation. It may help balance your oil production and pH levels. Flaxseed may soothe your sebaceous glands and help ensure that these glands produce just the right amount of sebum for strong and healthy hair.
- Hydrates frizzy hair. Flaxseed has essential nutrients that may penetrate your hair and leave it properly nourished.
- Repairs dry & damaged hair. Flaxseed is rich in vitamin E. This plays an important role in preventing and repairing damaged hair. It provides hair with the moisture it needs. Additionally, flaxseed may help to deep condition your hair. It adds luster to your hair while increasing its elasticity.
- Promotes hair growth. If are looking for a way to boost your hair growth, flaxseed may help. Flaxseed has biotin and is rich in vitamin E. These ingredients may help prevent thinning hair and hair loss. Vitamin E also reduces the effects of free radicals on your hair and scalp, thereby promoting hair growth and making your hair stronger.
- Maintains curly hair. Flaxseed gel for curly hair is great at creating amazing curl clumps to minimize frizz. Clumping is an area a lot of people struggle with, especially when it comes to embracing their curls. Flaxseed hair gel helps your clumps come together more easily than other styling products. Flaxseed hair gel is specifically beneficial for wavy or curly hair because doesn’t harden too much. It moisturizes the hair and gently defines it, giving it movement.
- Reduces dandruff. Flaxseed may help to reduce dandruff. Dandruff can make your scalp get flaky and very dry. Flaxseed oil for hair nourishes your scalp from the inside out, which may prevent flaking. Flaxseed oil is packed with anti-inflammatory ingredients and hence can prevent harmful bacteria and also keep your dandruff at bay.
How to use flaxseeds for hair
There are several ways you can effectively use flaxseed for hair. These include:
Flaxseed oil for hair
One of the best ways you can utilize flaxseed for hair is by using it as an oil. Use flaxseed oil for hair once or twice a week. Just massage it into your scalp for about five to 10 minutes. Also, apply it to your strands to add shine.
You can buy flaxseed oil in the grocery store in the cooking oil section and in specialty wellness stores.
Hair mask
You can also use flaxseed as a hair mask. Just take a tablespoon of flaxseed and grind it into a powder. Add two tablespoons of coconut oil. Mix them well and then apply that mixture to your hair. Massage it into your scalp and let it sit for 20 minutes, then rinse it off with a mild shampoo.
Flaxseed hair gel
You can make your own flaxseed hair gel at home. Just take a small amount of flaxseed hair gel and apply it directly along the length of your hair. Massage the gel properly into your scalp. Let the gel sit for 15 minutes and then rinse it off with a regular shampoo.
You can also use flaxseed hair gel to style your hair. It will leave your hair looking shiny, healthy, and gorgeous.
How to make flaxseed gel for hair growth
Flaxseed hair gel is an inexpensive hair product that you can make on your own. The best part is you will only need a few products.
You will need:
- 1/4 cup of flaxseed
- 2 cups of water
- Aloe vera gel (optional)
Follow these steps:
- Add the water and flaxseeds into a pan.
- Boil the water for about 10 minutes. Ensure you stir often to prevent sticking.
- Turn off the heat when the mixture develops a gel-like consistency.
- Let the gel cool down for approximately two hours.
- Strain the gel into a jar.
- Add aloe vera gel to the strained mixture for the best results (optional).
- Store the gel in the fridge.
Flaxseed hair gel side effects
Despite so many potential benefits, flaxseed gel for hair may have a few side effects. Some issues may include:
- Allergic reactions
- Buildup
- Clogged hair follicles
Before applying flaxseed hair gel, make sure you do a patch test first. Rub a tiny bit of flaxseed gel on the inside of your wrist, then wait up to two hours to see whether your skin reacts. This will help you know if you are allergic to flaxseed gel.
Flaxseed is rich in healthy fats, vitamins B and E, and omega-3 fatty acids. Adding flaxseed to your hair care regimen may help reduce hair loss and improve your overall hair health. Flaxseed may also help prevent hair damage, strengthen your hair, and balance the pH levels. You can use flaxseed for hair growth as a hair gel or an oil. Including it in your everyday diet can also help you reap maximum benefits. However, it's important to stop using flaxseed if you experience any allergic reaction.
FAQ
How long can you preserve the flaxseed gel?
You can use flaxseed gel for two to three weeks if you refrigerate it.
Is flaxseed gel safe to use for pregnant women?
There is conflicting advice regarding using flaxseed during pregnancy. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before using it due to possible hormonal effects and harm to the fetus.
How long can you use flaxseed before you see results?
The time it takes for you to see results will vary depending on how often you use it. However a lot of people start to see results within a few weeks.
- International Journal of Research In Pharmacy and Chemistry. Formulation and Evaluation of Flaxseed Hair Gel: A Natural Hair Tamer.
- Journal of Food Science and Technology. Flaxseed—a potential functional food source.
- Mayo Clinic. Flaxseed and flaxseed oil.
- Journal of Food Science and Technology. Flax and flaxseed oil: an ancient medicine & modern functional food.
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