Deborah Tosline wrote and published “Skin Remodeling DIY: An Introduction to the Underground World of Do-It-Yourself Skincare” in 2015. Her approach to skin care is based on a scientific background, love of research and over 30 years of DIY skincare experience.

Let’s deviate from facial care and discuss hair care because Do-It-Yourself (DIY) flaxseed gel is so freaking amazing!  Flaxseed gel promotes hair health, protects hair during styling, is inexpensive to make, is beneficial to personal health and bonus - it’s great for skin!

Research is lacking but anecdotal evidence indicates that flax seed gel helps hydrate and smooth hair, surrounds and seals hair cuticles, protects hair from heat damage and provides complex nutrition to hair follicles which can promote hair growth. Flaxseed gel moisturizes dry hair strands but is not oily or greasy.

I am sensitive to synthetic chemical exposure and I try to use chemicals discriminately. Synthetic chemicals are pervasive in our man-made environment. We are essentially immersed in synthetic chemicals that are used in clothing, furniture, household furnishings, cleaning products, landscapes, machines and building materials.  

We unintentionally saturate ourselves with synthetic chemicals that are ubiquitous in mainstream foods, fragrances, and personal care products.

I’ve gone to great extremes to avoid synthetic chemical exposure over the decades. I first became aware of hazardous and other pervasive synthetic chemicals when I worked as a hydrogeologist on Superfund groundwater contamination mitigation and remediation projects.

I may selectively, intentionally and periodically use synthetic chemicals but I try to use nature-based solutions in my choices in clothing, interior and exterior home construction materials, household furnishings and personal care. I enjoy pursuing a nature-based lifestyle for my health and for the health of the Earth.

In 2009, research showed that women apply and are exposed to 515 chemicals per day.  For example this publication reports that “Moisturizer can contain over 30 different chemicals and perfume up to 400…”

The body processes synthetic chemicals through the liver. Our liver may be able to process a few synthetic chemicals here and there but it cannot handle the constant deluge of synthetic chemicals that we experience on a daily basis. No thank you.

Research has shown that synthetic chemicals are associated with liver damage.

Over time, I’ve slowly evolved into using hair care products that contain little to no synthetic chemicals. I no longer use mainstream retail or fancy expensive hair care products. I can’t and won’t tolerate fragrances and other harmful and allergenic ingredients. When I am interested in a retail product, I check it’s ingredients on the Environmental Working Group (EWG) website. It is very difficult to find “clean” hair care.

I’ve found that children’s shampoos and hair conditioners may be the safest hair care available. I look for small batch nature-based shampoo and conditioner manufacturers that use healthy, beneficial and sustainable ingredients.

Converting to nature-based hair care may leave one yearning for special hair enriching products. Synthetic ingredients can make hair feel a certain way that nature-based shampoos and conditioners cannot. It takes a minute to get used to the change but it’s worth it to reduce one’s exposure to synthetic chemicals and it’s easy to augment nature-based hair care using nourishing oil packs, herbal henna masks, and flaxseed gel.

My hair is fine, thick and long. I need a natural hair conditioner that helps to ease my long-wet hair comb through, reduce frizz, protect hair strands and rock a silky shine.

DIY flax seed gel to the rescue - a glorious hair protector.

Flaxseed gel includes omega-3 fatty acids, B-vitamins and vitamin E. Flaxseed is considered a  superfood that contains essential nutrients for hair growth and health.

I modified the DIY Flax Seed Gel Recipe from the “Oh The Things We’ll Make” website here.The Femina website also provides a nice flaxseed recipe.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup flaxseeds brown or golden

• 2.5 cups water

• 5 drops lavendar essential oil

• 5 drops rosemary essential oil

Instructions

• Add the water to a small saucepan and bring to a boil.

• Add flaxseeds to the boiling water and stir.

• When the water begins to boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer.

• Stir and watch until the mixture thickens, then remove the saucepan from the heat.

• Allow the mixture to cool and then strain the seeds using a sieve, strainer or mesh cloth.

• Add essential oils.

• Store in a glass jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

• Flaxseed hair gel may be applied to wet or dry hair and the skin.

The leftover flax seeds may be eaten, added to a recipe or saved in a glass container in the refrigerator and used to make a second and possibly a third batch of DIY flaxseed gel. You may add an organic preservative to extend the shelf-life of the DIY flaxseed gel.

Personally, I apply flaxseed gel to towel dried, freshly washed hair. I saturate my hair with flaxseed gel from the roots to the ends and allow my hair to dry with the gel on it. Sometimes, I style my hair after it is dry but not very often.

DIY flaxseed gel gratefully meets and exceeds my desired nature-based hair care and styling needs.

Flaxseed gel makes my hair smooth and strong. Yay! DIY flaxseed gel does not contain synthetic chemicals, is nutrient dense and leaves hair shiny, touch-ably soft and only costs pennies to make. It’s always a treat to apply flaxseed gel to the skin as well.

If you need more information, check out the local library, search the Internet, or check out my past Blog articles. Of course, it would be an honor to me if you purchased my facial care book. Thank you!

Take good care of yourselves!

XO Deborah

This article is intended to be used as general information only and is in no way intended to replace medical advice, be used as a medical treatment program, diagnosis, or cure of any disease or medical condition. There are no warranties, expressed or implied, regarding the effectiveness of the practices described in this article. Products or substances discussed herein are for educational purposes only and are not intended as recommendations of the author.