Flaxseeds have lengthy been a staple in vitamin and wellness. The superfood is filled with omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, protein, and fiber, and has lengthy been a wellness-world favourite for sprinkling on prime of açai bowls or mixing into smoothies. Lately, although, these nutritious little seeds have caught the attention of skin-care aficionados on social media who declare that making use of them to your face in masks type can mimic the consequences of Botox.
On TikTok, #flaxseedfacemask at the moment has 80 million views and guarantees to hydrate, clean, and tighten the pores and skin. However, like all social media skin-care developments, I couldn’t assist however marvel if it’s really well worth the hype. Hold studying to search out out what specialists need to say on the topic, and what occurred after I tried it.
The advantages of flaxseeds for pores and skin
“Flaxseeds include fiber, and fiber improves pores and skin hydration, which plumps up the pores and skin to make it look softer and smoother,” explains Konstantin Vasyukevich, MD, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon in New York Metropolis. The impact could possibly be corresponding to the consequences of aloe vera or hyaluronic acid which is utilized in many facial fillers and skincare formulations.”
The seeds’ omega-3 fatty acids additionally play a key position in how they have an effect on your pores and skin, selling a plumper look and serving to your complexion keep hydration. Board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, MD, caveats that with a purpose to reap these advantages, you’ll must the seeds to be floor right into a powder—in case you apply complete flax seeds to your face, you received’t get the identical increase.
“Flax seeds additionally include antioxidants that will defend the pores and skin from free radicals, contributing to a younger look,” provides Ira Savetsky, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York Metropolis. “When utilized in a face masks, the combination may act as a mild exfoliant, eradicating lifeless pores and skin cells and selling a smoother complexion. Moreover, the pure oils in flaxseeds may present moisture to the pores and skin.”
All in regards to the flaxseed face masks
The viral flaxseed face masks is nothing greater than a mixture of seeds and water, which explains why the prospect of it probably mimicking the consequences of expensive injections has large enchantment. However as you may need guessed, it’s a bit of too good to be true.
“Whereas pure cures like flaxseed face masks could contribute to pores and skin well being and hydration, it’s necessary to handle expectations,” says Dr. Savetsky. “Botox is a medical process that includes injecting a purified type of botulinum toxin to briefly paralyze facial muscle tissue, decreasing the looks of wrinkles brought on by repetitive actions. Pure cures could assist enhance pores and skin texture, present hydration, and provide antioxidants, however they received’t replicate the exact results of Botox.”
Although many customers are swearing by the masks, Dr. Savetsky notes that its Botox-like results are largely anecdotal. “The concept that such cures can substitute for Botox, with its muscle-paralyzing results, shouldn’t be supported by scientific proof,” he says. “The results, if any, could also be extra associated to the overall advantages of flaxseeds for pores and skin well being, quite than a mimicry of Botox.”
Potential unwanted effects of the flaxseed face masks
Although the flaxseed face masks could appear innocent due to its uncomplicated ingredient checklist, specialists warning that there could possibly be some potential unwanted effects that come together with it. Whereas many complexions can tolerate the masks properly, there are some things to look out for when making an attempt it for your self.
1. Regulate allergic reactions or pores and skin sensitivities
Some folks could also be allergic to flaxseeds and never notice it, so it’s necessary to identify check earlier than you apply the masks to your face to examine for any opposed reactions. Dab a small quantity of the concoction on the within of your wrist, and if there’s no irritation or redness after a couple of minutes, you ought to be good to maneuver ahead with the therapy.
Moreover, you probably have delicate pores and skin, you might expertise some irritation with the flaxseed masks. “Think about using a milder base or incorporating soothing elements like aloe vera,” says Dr. Savetsky.
3. Take into account your pores and skin sort
In case your complexion skews oily, it’s price figuring out that the oils in flaxseeds could exacerbate current breakouts. And in case you’ve bought tremendous dry pores and skin, remember that the hydration within the flaxseed masks is probably not fairly sufficient to maintain your pores and skin quenched, so that you’ll wish to comply with it up with a moisturizing cream or facial oil.
4. Be conscious of seed residue
In case you don’t separate the seeds from the masks, it may be a problem to clean them off fully, and might result in discomfort. “Make sure that the seeds are finely floor to attenuate this concern,” explains Dr. Savetsky. (And, as Dr. King famous, you’ll wish to do that anyway to make sure
5. Watch out for overuse
Dr. Vasyukevich warns of irritation if the masks is overused, as it may possibly trigger micro trauma to the pores and skin. Restrict your self to a twice-weekly utility to stop your pores and skin from freaking out.
The right way to put together the flaxseed face masks
- Put together ½ a cup of flaxseeds in a temp-safe bowl
- Boil 2-3 cups of water
- Pour the water into the bowl containing the flaxseeds. Stir properly.
- Permit the concoction to sit down for a couple of hours.
- Utilizing a strainer or colander, separate the flaxseeds from the snail mucin-like masks (which is definitely the mucilage within the flaxseeds that provides the masks its gel-like consistency)
- Apply the masks everywhere in the face and permit it to sit down for 20-Half-hour.
Dr. Savetsky notes that the ratio of flaxseeds and water depends upon private desire, so you should use your finest judgment in terms of quantities.
What occurred after I tried the flaxseed face masks
I are usually skeptical of DIY skincare and all the time query TikTok developments—particularly once they declare to exchange any form of injections—nonetheless, I used to be pleasantly shocked by the masks. Not less than, to an extent.
Upon utility, it was slimy—I’d liken the feel to snail mucin, however barely thicker—however immediately tightened my pores and skin in the identical method the Hanacure masks do. Nonetheless, the consequences didn’t final, and I can safely conclude that this DIY therapy is under no circumstances a alternative for the long-term wrinkle-reducing outcomes that come together with Botox injections.
With that in thoughts, Dr. Vasyukevich says that in case you’re after Botox-like results, you’d have to make use of the masks so regularly that it will change into impractical. “You can not spend your total day re-applying the masks. In case you did it as soon as a day, the consequences would fade shortly,” he says. He strictly advises in opposition to utilizing the masks frequently on this method, and recommends utilizing it each few days to enhance your skin-care routine or earlier than an occasion while you’d like your pores and skin to look a bit of tighter.
