Commercial hair gel contains an assortment of chemicals you don’t want inside your body. These include parabens, which mimic estrogen, and can potentially fuel a hormone-dependent cancer.
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is another ingredient you’ll probably want to avoid. It’s found in a wide variety of cosmetics. Once it mixes with other compounds, there are fears that new chemicals known as nitrosamines may form. Right now, there isn’t a lot of research. So this link is tentative. But it’s something to be aware of, because nitrosamine are carcinogenic.
Also, the manufacturing process of SLS may result in dioxins, according to information on Dr. Joseph Mercola’s website. These industrial waste products are highly carcinogenic, and they can also interfere with human reproduction.
Just because you aren’t eating hair gel doesn’t mean you’re not being exposed to poisons. My own naturopathic doctor explained to me that 60 percent of everything you put on your skin is absorbed.
Chemical Free Hair Gel
(This post contains affiliate links, and if you purchase anything I receive a referral fee, at no extra cost to you.)
So, every week, or thereabouts, I whip up a batch of chemical-free hair gel. It’s really easy to make, and it takes only about 10 minutes from start to finish. While it’s cooking, I’m able to move about the kitchen doing something else, as it only needs occasional stirring.
The finished product is a clear, goopy mixture. But it holds my hair in place, without potentially poisonous ingredients.
Making this natural hair gel is easy. Here’s the recipe.
- One cup of water. I use tap water with the fluoride and chlorine filtered out.
- 2 tbs. of organic raw flax seeds.
Put these ingredients in a saucepan and cook on the stove for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the flax from clumping. If you can’t find organic flax seeds locally, you can order them here.
What you’re left with is a mixture that has flax seed at the bottom, and the gel on top. You can strain this if you like. I saw a video of one woman who used an old nylon stocking as a strainer. I tried this once, but decided it was too much trouble. So I leave the flax alone, and just use the gel on top. You can put this in a glass jar, and use as needed. This should be stored in the refrigerator, and it will last about a week, or a little longer. Throw it away if you see it turning yellow.
Lavender Essential Oil for DIY Hair Gel
You can also add a drop of two of essential oil to the mix as it’s almost cool. I’d recommend lavender essential oil, because it smells nice. As an added benefit, lavender oil is considered as a hair stimulant. Aromatherapists often recommend this oil for people suffering from thinning hair and hair loss. This is something that’s also backed up by scientific research. One study conducted in Scotland, found that lavender, along with other essential oils, did boost hair growth in 40 percent of patients with hair loss.
All Natural Hair Gel
I made the above recipe (without lavender oil) for years. It worked really well, and it did add body to my hair, without potentially dangerous chemicals. However, life has gotten a little busier. So, now, I order a brand of hair gel made without parabens, phthalates or artificial fragrances. It works really well. Even my daughter uses it, and likes it.
Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. People with health concerns should discuss them with a doctor. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils, unless under the direction of a health care professional.
I’m not a healthcare professional, so all of the above statements are my personal opinion, and are not intended as medical advice.
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