by Shelli of Hairscapades
Early in my discovery of this little online natural hair community, I came across the acronym FSG on a thread on naturallycurly.com. I think I was in search of something to enhance my curls. Anywho, it took a little digging, but I learned that FSG stands for flaxseed gel, a natural and nourishing alternative to commercial gels.
via LiveStrong.com
Flaxseed oil, derived from the seeds of the flax plant, is rich in essential fatty acids, which can be beneficial to your health in a number of ways. In addition to helping with skin disease, cholesterol and digestive problems, flaxseed oil may also assist with hair growth and the replenishment of brittle hair or dry scalp. While evidence supports the use of flaxseed oil to promote healthy hair, there is no solid proof of its effectiveness.
Why Flaxseed Oil Helps Hair
One of the reasons flaxseed oil can promote hair health is because it is rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids. Omega-3 essential fatty acids are known to support scalp health, while a deficiency can result in dry scalp and dull hair, says Jim White, R.D., a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, according to “Men’s Health.”
Flax seeds also contain lignans, disease-fighting compounds that may help fight hair loss. But because lignans are found in the shell, whole seeds are a better source than oil.
As an alternative to the oil discussed primarily in the article, you can also make a natural hair gel by boiling flaxseeds and straining them to use the resultant “goop.” To further enhance the beneficial effects of this little DIY gel, you can add essential and carrier oils and/or aloe vera gel and, if you want to enhance your curls, try adding a small amount of MSG/Magnesium Sulfate (i.e. Epsom salts). However, you’ll want to be careful with this last additive as it can be drying for some, especially if too much is used.
Want to see how it’s made? Naptural85 demonstrates her flaxseed gel recipe and techniques in this tutorial.
via Naptural85
Not much of a DIYer, but love the idea of a natural gel? Check out this naturallycurly.com thread that piqued my interest in 2010 and led me to the highly sought after FSG made by Botticelli Babe, which spawned her Esty shop, Botticelli Botanicals.
As to my experience with flaxseed gel? Well, I tried making it one time in the fall of 2010 with flaxseeds I already had in my fridge. I think that I boiled the seeds for too long as the gel was very thick and a little hard to distribute. I never revisited making it again … but out of sheer laziness. However, I’ve read so many good things about it that I’ve been thinking about trying it again in late spring/summer for my WnGs.
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Do you use or have you tried FSG? What is/was your experience with it? What’s your recipe?
So I feel terrible. I totally missed Shelli and Weusi’s engagement announcement. They getting married y’all! Wish them well below!
CONGRATS Shelli!!! xx
if i dont have a strainer for the seeds will a trouser sock alone work just as well?
BTW Congrats Shelli!
i have some flaxseed oil vitamins. can i use those to make the gel aswell?
the pump bottle tip is great! I store mine in a tupperware container and it's a pain to dip into the goo. Thanks!
Hi This might be of value to someone like me who bought the Milled Flax Seeds. There is no Whole Foods near me so would need to resort to some local health food stores and some of their prices are inflated. Also did not want to pay S&H by ordering online. So… I noticed milled flax seeds at Walmart. Noticed some posts online that people had poor results with these milled flax seeds – due to the inability to strain. Well the good news is milled flax seeds work just perfect and they CAN be strained. Just try this-> I followed Natural85's recipe with a few changes. Use a large sauce pan so it doesn't boil over, add a heading 1/4 cup of milled flax seeds to about 2 1/2 cups of water. I boiled about 10 mins – until it was frothy and slimey ( sorry 🙂 and then simmered about 5 mins.Stir so it doesn't boil over. It will get thicker as it cools. Then IMPORTANT get a strainer-sieve and place a trouser sock ( nylon not cotton) around the strainer so it hangs UNDER the strainer. A trouser knee high has a tighter weave than a regular knee high and you need this to strain the milled fax seeds. Pour the mixture thru the strainer. 85% of the milled seeds will be caught by the strainer and the remains will be caught by the trouser sock hanging UNDER the strainer. Yippee Flax seed gel with no milled seeds! It will thicken as it cools. Another tip get a pump bottle (many dollar stores sell them) and add your gel to that so you do not need to "pick up" the slimey gel 😉 Happy Curls!
I just made a batch last night and did single-strand twists with it. My hair is shiny and soft. Unlike other gels that I have used, this seems to work well with my hair. Also, when I spray water, it is still able to moisturize my hair. This gel is really great.
I use Shea Moisture's Organic Coconut and Hibiscus Curling Souflee'! It has flax seed oil, agave nectar, and coconut oil! Despite the bad reviews on it, it works wonders on my hair!
I use this on a regular basis on my hair. I also add it to my smoothies, yogurt and drink it as a smoothie drink by adding milk, nutmeg.
I use flaxseed gel for all my wash and go's. I make it every week and each batch lasts about a week. The benefits for me are moisture, it's similarity to the consistency of Kinky Curly Curling custard and of course the cost. I have a large head of hair, waist length when straight, so i prefer not to buy $20+ good hair gel, the cost adds up. Flax seed gel keeps my hair moisturized and defines my curls well too. Yeah, it seems time consuming but really, it only takes a few minutes when you get the hang of it. You can whip up a batch after you cook dinner once a week in 5 minutes. I love it and will always use it.
this stuff made my head itch like crazy. Don't leave it in the refrigerator too long it goes bad really fast.
I've been using it for a few weeks now and I love it I use it on my hair and my kids hair. If it flakes try using less flax seeds in your mixture. I add carrier oils and essential oils to mines as well as honey. The last batch I made I also added aloe vera gel.
Congratulations Shelli!
FSG was very easy to make, but it flaked on my ultra coily 4c hair. It was an epic fail, a no-bueno for me.
I love Naptural85's videos! They are so nicely done.
I have been using FSG especially when I'm using my Magic Levrag(Curlformers copy).Gives a good result for a press n curl look.
Thanks everybody!!!! Ashley, LOL!! Love that your Spidey (i.e. experiment) senses are tingling!! LOL!!
Anon at 6:31, it is sooo easy to make … and yet, I'm too lazy to make it too!! LOL!!
Shelli
i am sooo lazy but i may try to really make fsg. instead i've been blending 100% aloe vera gel with flax seed oil (from the supermarket). it works pretty well too.
Intersting… My experiment senses are tingling!
Love the FSG and so does my hair. Very tempted to use on my skin because my hands are always so soft after applying to my hair…LOOOVVVVEEE it!
I made this gel as well as all the other diy recipes Naptural85 recommends as I love her hair! It was easy to make and smelled good. However, I'm not certain of its benefits as I saw no huge difference. I must also state that dont have same hair texture as Naptural85. Hers is much thicker and curlier.
Interesting! Thanks for the intro to FSG and congrats on your upcoming nuptials.
For a "No-fail flax seed gel" recipe, check out this naturallycurly.com thread: http://www.naturallycurly.com/curltalk/recipes-%97-hair-body/61208-no-fail-flax-seed-gel-i-finally-did-twice.html
Congrats Shelli!
I love flax seel gel! It easy to make, natural, has great hold and adds nice shine to my hair. I use it when I wear buns and updos.
I use 1.5 cups of water, 1/4 flax seeds and a generous squirt of honey to make my FSG. I add the honey after the gel cools down a bit. I store it in a plastic squirt top bottle and keep it in the fridge.
P.S. Congrats Shelli!!!
Congratulations Shelli!!!
Never used/made flax seed gel. I am way too lazy. 🙂
Congrats Shelli!!!
Congrats Shelli!
I've been using FSG as my regular hair gel for a month now and my hair loves the stuff (and I love the price!).
Congratulations!
I've never heard of FSG, but wanted to wish Shelly all the best!
Wow! Congratulations Shelli!