Hair Gelling Resources

Hair Gelling Tips 

Supplies: Knox Unflavored Gelatin, Essential Oil for Fragrance (no mint or eucalyptus....to avoid feeling chilly outside of pool), Bobby Pins u-shaped (see pic.) and regular pins, Hair Net, Old Towel, Old Rag, Glass Mug/Container, Boiling Water, Fork, Paint Brush* Hair Dye Applicator Brush, and Comb/Hair Brush.

Preparing the Hair- The Bun

• Pull hair back into a high tight ponytail.  

• The "sweet spot" for bun placement is high on the crown of the head. The LINE TEST: if you drew a line from the chin passing through the ears, the bun should set right at the end of that line. 

• Try not to leave any large bumps above or under the ponytail. 

• Bun Making. Way 1-Braid hair into 3 small braids. Twist and use u-shaped pins to pin braids around each other to form into a bun. Way 2- Wrap ponytailed-hair into a bun using u-shaped  bobby pins to secure the bun. Crossing a few pins into the bun helps them secure tightly. 

• Wrap bun in a hair net. Secure net with more u-shaped bobby pins.

• Smooth any flyaway hairs with wet hands. (Bobby pin any "shorties"/bangs)

• Wrap shoulders in towel to catch drips. Hand swimmer a hot wet rag to dab "drips" of gel.

Making the Gel 

*there are many versions & techniques, this is just one way, you will find one that works best for you, be sure to join in gel parties as you are learning!

• Pour 1/3 cup of boling water into container of choice

• Very slowly, add 4 packets (28 grams) of the Knox gel powder to the boiling water, while stirring and mashing to create a more clear less "frothy" gel. You should add gel powder at a pace that it is almost instantly dissolving, mash as needed. Some directions call for adding water to the powder and stirring quickly, 9 times out of 10 this will create a bunch of frothy gel that will look very white on the head after it dries.

• Gel should be the consistency of warmed honey. If it is too thick the gel turns white and comes off in clumps. It needs to be able to saturate the hair. If it is too thick add more water. If too thin a another packet....while water is hot. (BEWARE- Once the gel cools you can not add more powder).

• Add few drops of scent (essential oil) at this time if wanted. Avoid mints, tea tree or eucalyptus as the swimmer's head gets very chilly after swimming and sitting outside of pool between events. 

How To Put Gel on the Hair

• Starting at the front hair line, use the paint brush to spread a thin layer of gel from the hair line to the bun base.  Work your way quickly around the head instructing the swimmer to tilt their head accordingly.  

• Once around, give the bun a thin gel coat as well. (Currently this is a "preference" some teams in MN are not gelling their buns, ask your swimmer what their teammates do). Pick "wet" clumps off the head as you go and don't worry about full coverage at this point - the second coat will get the holes.

• In a separate bowl, place the paint brush in a bit of the boiling water to keep it soft between coats. Squeeze out the excess water with a paper towel before using it on the next layer.

• Sit. Allow to become tacky dry. 

• The second layer should be thin as well but this time, try to get closer to the hairline edge and fill in any holes from the first layer. 

• If gel is cooling, it is just fine to microwave it for 30 seconds...try not to let it bubble and make froth. 

• Remind swimmer not to pick up off any "gel clumps" or "gummies" this leaves a white spot 

• Gel hardens in 2 hours

*Note on the paint brush:  The cheap, thin, short bristle brush works best (2" wide, 1.5" bristles).  It's not a heavy, sharp edged, paint brush that would work well for painting a wall. (see examples of what our team has used below)