Tea tree oil can take care of common hair issues such as dandruff and hair loss, as it is an excellent natural alternative to many chemicals most people prefer to use tea tree oil as their first treatment option. [1] Tea tree oil is derived from the leaves of the tea tree. The tea tree was named by eighteenth-century sailors, who made a tea that smelled like nutmeg from the leaves of the tree growing on the swampy southeast Australian coast. Do not confuse the tea tree with the unrelated common tea plant that is used to make black and green teas.
Tea tree oil is excellent for your hair as when a diluted form of the oil is applied to the scalp it stimulates and increases blood flow to the area. This, in turn, can improve the conditions of the hair follicles which promotes healthy hair growth. [2] Its multiple properties fight bacteria as well as helping unclog pores on the scalp, which means tea tree oil can work to clear and strengthen the skin on the scalp helping to prevent infections or conditions such as dandruff.
Tea tree oil hair products can now be found in virtually all households, particularly in homes with young children or family members who suffer from sensitive skin. [3] This oil is a trusted ingredient that is seen in many hair care products including shampoos, conditioners, and remedies for dandruff, baldness, head lice and infections which can appear on the scalp.
Originally, over one hundred years ago in Australia, tea tree oil was being used for antiseptic purposes. However, in the last few decades, this natural medicinal oil has gained worldwide recognition for its beneficial properties.
Benefits of Tea Tree Oil for Hair
1. Reduces Dandruff
Dandruff is caused by a microbe that naturally occurs on the scalp when it feeds on the natural oils in the scalp it creates a by-product known as oleic acid. If your scalp is sensitive to the presence of this acid, it responds by becoming irritated, inflamed leading to increased shedding of skin cells to get rid of the irritant. This leads to itchiness, redness of the scalp and the typical symptoms of visible white flakes of dead skin cells clumped together. The antimicrobial properties of tea tree oil target the microbes which cause this increased shedding of skin cells and helps in the treatment and management of dandruff.[4]
You can apply a few drops of tea tree oil to your regular shampoo or anti-dandruff shampoos to treat dandruff and the accompanying symptom of itchiness. Otherwise, tea tree oil can be mixed with carrier oils, massaged onto the scalp and left overnight to treat the dryness and itching associated with dandruff, be sure to wash the oil off thoroughly in the morning.
2. Improves Hair Growth
Tea tree oil can promote a healthy hair growth cycle as it unclogs hair follicles and its stimulating effect improves blood flow to the area, meaning the hair roots are better nourished. If you want to encourage hair growth, tea tree oil works best when it is diluted with other carrier oils such as coconut, jojoba or castor oil.
The antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiseptic properties of tea tree oil benefit the scalp as the oil effectively deals with hair-related problems. With regular application of the oil, any microbes which are inhibiting hair growth are killed and the scalp is protected from infections. As a result, hair roots are now better nourished and protected promoting healthy hair growth.
3. Makes the Scalp Healthier
Tea tree oil can nourish the scalp and hair, thereby improving scalp health due to the cleansing property of the essential oil, it can unblock pores and facilitate in increasing the supply of oxygen and nutrients towards the hair follicles.
The beneficial microbial fighting properties of tea tree oil can help to treat skin conditions such as dry scalp. Tea tree oil can even prevent and resolve ingrown hairs; a tea tree oil soak can open the pores and loosen up the ingrown hair which reduces inflammation. [5] You can use specialized products such as tea tree oil shampoos or medicated shampoos that contain tea tree oil to improve scalp skin conditions.[6]
4. Prevents Greasiness
Tea tree oil has natural therapeutic properties which allow for it to be an excellent choice for hair cleansing. Using a small amount of this oil on a regular basis can prevent the build-up of chemicals, oils and dead skin, which means that the hair and scalp remain healthy and moisturized. [7] This, in turn, helps hair to grow at a normal healthy rate and prevents hair loss and greasy hair. An added benefit is that as tea tree oil is completely natural it does not damage or dry out the hair.
5. Kills Head Lice
Tea tree oil also has insecticidal effects and as such, it can be used to treat head lice, parasitic insects that feed on blood. According to a study, it has been found that a 30-minute tea tree oil treatment results in 100 percent mortality and that treatment with a higher concentration of tea tree oil can induce failure of 50 percent of existing lice eggs to hatch.
Use of Tea Tree Oil for Hair
We have put together the following methods of incorporating tea tree oil into your usual hair care routine so that you can reap the benefits of this natural medicinal oil at home on a regular basis.Mixed in with a carrier oil for a scalp massage. Mix one tablespoon of organic coconut oil with ten drops of tea tree oil in a small bowl.
Apply the mixture on your scalp and massage into your roots for ten minutes – be sure to focus areas you feel are extra dry or itchy. Let the mixture sit for a minimum of ten minutes, although you can leave it in overnight for more intense hydration and treatment. Wash out thoroughly with your normal shampoo. Repeat the process once weekly to see results and improved condition of hair. As part of your regular shampoo routine for healthier hair and cleansing of the scalp. Add one drop of tea tree oil to 30 ml of shampoo directly into your shampoo bottle. Shake the bottle to mix. Use the shampoo as per your regular routine to see results.
As a pre-shower solution to target skin conditions such as spots on the scalp. Add five to seven drops of tea tree oil into one cup of water. Transfer this mixture into an empty spray bottle. Spray the diluted mixture over the scalp at least 20 minutes before showering, targeting any problem areas. Wash out thoroughly when you shampoo. Repeat on a regular basis to see an improvement in your condition.
To kill head lice, mix three tablespoons of coconut oil with a teaspoon each of tea tree oil and ylang-ylang oil. Alternatively, mix about 8-10 drops of tea tree oil in 3-4 tablespoons of vegetable oil or olive oil. Apply the mixture all over your scalp and massage it in thoroughly. Comb hair using a fine-toothed comb or nit comb. Cover head with a shower cap and let sit for about two hours. Comb hair again using the nit comb and rinse. Next, make a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water in the ratio of 2:1 and fill it in a spray bottle. Spray onto scalp and hair, saturating completely. Comb through hair and rinse. You can also dip the nit comb in this mixture while combing through hair. Repeat this treatment every 5-10 days for 3-4 weeks.
Precautions
There are numerous well documented research-based evidence that shows how beneficial tea tree oil is not just for your skin, but also for your hair. Primarily tea tree oil is applied topically in a dilute form; it should never be consumed. Make sure you look for fresh tea tree oil if you are planning to apply it directly on your hair, as this is the purest oil it is less likely to cause reactions, as opposed to oxidized tea tree oil. We recommend a patch test on the inner arm or behind the ear 24hrs before use. If there is any adverse reaction, any burning, rashes or redness indicates you should avoid using the product.
Remember that tea tree oil should never be applied directly onto the skin as it is very potent. By applying the oil directly, you can risk inflammation of the area or an allergic reaction which can worsen any condition you are trying to correct.
End Note
Thinning hair is every woman’s worst nightmare. That being said, growing your hair can be tough, and it doesn’t help when you are surrounded by people who have hair that grows at the speed of light. It does not have to be so hard. There are ways in which you can restore your hair back to its former glory. There are no miracle solutions that can give you thick and long hair overnight. However, there are remedies that can help stimulate hair re-growth and boost the rate at which your hair grows. Tea tree oil has been gaining popularity as one such treatment.
