Tea tree oil is a type of important oils (EOs) I stash all over the place: in my purse, on my nightstand, in random drawers scattered all through the home, and in my medication cupboard. A deeply nourishing and moisturizing EO, tea tree has lengthy been used to deal with all types of pores and skin situations. But it surely actually shines if you make it a part of your every day hair care routine. Tea tree oil can soothe an itchy scalp, deal with flakes, and even assist sluggish hair loss when used repeatedly. Learn on to learn to use tea tree oil for hair and scalp well being.
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What’s Tea Tree Oil?
Tea tree oil, also called melaleuca oil, is an EO derived from the leaves of the Australian tea tree.
Previous to the twentieth century, tea tree leaves and bark had been utilized by the aboriginal individuals of Australia as an natural medication [source]. However within the early Nineteen Twenties, an Australian chemist named Arthur Penfold found that the oil extracted from the leaves was a stronger antiseptic than carbolic acid, the strongest antiseptic that they had on the time [source]. And with that, the business manufacturing of tea tree oil started.
In the present day, tea tree EO is commonly used for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and skin-healing properties [source]. In aromatherapy, it’s thought-about an immediate mood-booster with advantages for each the respiratory and nervous methods.
Advantages of Tea Tree Oil for Hair
Like most EOs, research on tea tree oil are restricted. However some analysis exhibits that tea tree EO has each antibacterial and anti inflammatory results [source]. And people compounds that make tea tree oil an efficient therapeutic agent additionally make it an amazing addition to your every day hair routine.
Tea tree oil has been proven to assist:
—Nourish the scalp with antioxidants [source]
—Cut back scalp itch and irritation from contact dermatitis [source]
—Enhance blood movement [source]
—Tame dandruff [source]
—Sluggish undesirable hair progress [source]
—Promote hair progress in androgenetic alopecia [source]
—Deal with head lice [source]
How Tea Tree Oil Works
Tea tree EO incorporates various compounds often called terpene hydrocarbons. Of those, probably the most well-studied is terpinen-4-ol, a terpene alcohol that has been proven to kill sure micro organism, viruses, and fungi.
It additionally seems to decrease some parts of the traditional inflammatory response, considerably lowering swelling and histamine-induced pores and skin hypersensitivity [source].
Use Tea Tree Oil for Hair
Tea tree oil is much less possible than different EOs to trigger pores and skin irritation. Nonetheless, some individuals could expertise an allergic response when utilizing tea tree oil, so it’s finest to do a spot take a look at first to see how your pores and skin will react.
As soon as you recognize it received’t trigger a response, you may apply tea tree EO in just a few other ways:
Apply it immediately.
Place just a few drops of tea tree hair oil (see recipe beneath) immediately on the scalp, and use your fingertips to distribute it evenly all through your hair. Depart it on in a single day, and wash it off within the morning.
Use it as a scalp therapeutic massage.
The stimulating motion of a scalp therapeutic massage with tea tree EO may help deliver dandruff underneath management and maintain the scalp wholesome. Add 3 drops of tea tree important oil and three drops of lavender important oil to 2 teaspoons of melted coconut oil and stir to mix.
Therapeutic massage into the scalp, and depart the oil on in a single day. Bathe within the morning and shampoo as regular.
Make a tea tree shampoo.
Put 5 to six drops into your shampoo and therapeutic massage it into the scalp. Let it sit for a number of minutes earlier than rinsing off. In case your hair feels greasy, shampoo a second time.
Make a hair masks.
Combine 12 to fifteen drops of tea tree EO with a tablespoon of any provider oil like fractionated coconut, argan, or olive oil. Apply the oil combination onto your scalp and therapeutic massage it in. You possibly can even give your self a sizzling oil remedy by warming the oil earlier than making use of it. Let it sit for 20 minutes earlier than washing it out.
Use it as a leave-in conditioner.
To make a easy leave-in conditioner, mix 1 tablespoon of conditioner or provider oil with 12 to fifteen drops of tea tree EO in a 2 oz spray bottle and fill with heat water. Shake effectively. Spritz the answer on damp hair and let it air dry.
Tea Tree Recipes for Hair Progress and Scalp Well being
Tea tree EO has many advantages for hair, but it surely’s necessary to dilute it with a provider oil like coconut oil and use it sparsely. Utilizing undiluted tea tree EO in your scalp may cause irritation and dryness. In case you have any considerations or questions on utilizing tea tree EO to your hair, seek the advice of with a healthcare skilled or a professional hair care specialist.
Listed here are some easy recipes for utilizing tea tree EO for hair care:
1. Tea Tree Scalp Oil
This is a recipe for a DIY scalp oil that helps scalp well being, which maximizes the expansion of hair. Argan oil and jojoba oil are provider oils that may assist moisturize and nourish the hair, whereas tea tree, peppermint, and rosemary EOs are used to assist promote hair progress and stimulate the scalp.
Components
—¼ cup argan oil
—¼ cup jojoba oil
—5–6 drops tea tree important oil
—5–6 drops peppermint important oil
—5-6 drops rosemary important oil
Directions
1. In a small glass bottle, combine collectively the argan and jojoba oils.
2. Add tea tree, peppermint, and rosemary EOs to the bottle.
3. Shut the bottle tightly and shake effectively to combine the elements effectively.
4. Apply a small quantity of the hair oil to your scalp and hair, specializing in the roots and ends.
5. Therapeutic massage the oil into your scalp for a couple of minutes to assist stimulate blood movement to the hair follicles.
6. Depart the oil in your hair for not less than half-hour or in a single day.
7. Rinse your hair completely with heat water, and shampoo and situation your hair as regular.
Be aware: This hair oil can be utilized a few times every week to advertise hair progress. You’ll want to keep away from getting the oil in your eyes, as some important oils may cause irritation.
2. Tea Tree Oil Hair Rinse for Hair Progress
This is a easy recipe for a tea tree oil hair rinse that may additionally promote hair progress:
Components:
—5 drops tea tree important oil
—1 cup water
Directions:
1. Boil 1 cup of water and let it cool for a couple of minutes.
2. Add 1–2 drops of tea tree oil to the water and stir effectively.
3. After shampooing and conditioning your hair, rinse your hair completely with the tea tree oil and water combination.
4. You’ll want to therapeutic massage your scalp gently as you rinse to assist stimulate blood movement to the hair follicles.
5. Depart the tea tree oil rinse in your hair for a couple of minutes earlier than rinsing it out with cool water.
6. Towel dry your hair and magnificence as regular.
Be aware: This hair rinse can be utilized a few times every week to advertise hair progress. You’ll want to keep away from getting the tea tree oil combination in your eyes, as it could trigger irritation.
3. Coconut + Tea Tree Oil Hair Masks
This is a easy recipe for a tea tree oil hair masks that deeply nourishes the scalp to advertise hair progress:
Components
—2–3 tablespoons coconut oil
—4–5 drops tea tree important oil
—Non-obligatory: 1 tablespoon honey or aloe vera gel
Directions
1. In a small bowl, soften the coconut oil till it turns into liquid.
2. Add the tea tree EO to the melted coconut oil and blend effectively.
3. If desired, add honey or aloe vera gel to the combination and stir effectively.
4. Apply the combination to your hair, beginning on the roots and dealing your means right down to the ideas. You’ll want to cowl all your hair.
5. Therapeutic massage your scalp gently for two–3 minutes to assist stimulate blood movement to the hair follicles.
6. Depart the masks on for 30–60 minutes. You possibly can cowl your hair with a bathe cap or towel to maintain the masks from dripping.
7. After the allotted time, rinse your hair completely with heat water and shampoo and situation as regular.
Be aware: This masks can be utilized as soon as every week or as wanted to advertise hair progress. You’ll want to patch take a look at the tea tree oil combination on a small space of pores and skin earlier than utilizing it in your scalp to ensure you are usually not allergic to it.
4. Scalp Soothing Tea Tree + Honey Hair Masks
This is a recipe for a DIY hair masks with tea tree EO, honey, and yogurt that provides the important vitamins to your hair follicles. Honey and yogurt may help moisturize and nourish the hair, whereas tea tree EO can scale back any areas of scalp irritation.
Components
—1 tablespoon honey
—¼ cup plain yogurt
—3–4 drops tea tree important oil
Directions
1. In a small bowl, combine collectively the honey and plain yogurt.
2. Add the tea tree EO to the bowl and stir effectively.
3. Apply the hair masks to your scalp and hair, specializing in the roots and ends.
4. Therapeutic massage the masks into your scalp for a couple of minutes to assist stimulate blood movement to the hair follicles.
5. Depart the masks in your hair for not less than half-hour or as much as an hour.
6. Rinse your hair completely with heat water and shampoo and situation as regular.
Be aware: This hair masks can be utilized as soon as every week to advertise hair progress. You’ll want to keep away from getting the masks in your eyes, as tea tree oil may cause irritation.
5. Tea Tree Oil Scalp Remedy for Dandruff
This is a easy recipe for a tea tree oil scalp remedy with aloe vera to softly bathe the pores and skin cells of your scalp. Aloe vera helps to assuage and hydrate the scalp, selling wholesome hair progress.
You’ll want to use pure aloe vera gel, as many store-bought aloe vera merchandise comprise added elements that may trigger irritation.
Components
—¼ cup pure aloe vera gel
—5–6 drops tea tree important oil
Directions
1. In a small bowl, combine collectively the aloe vera gel and the tea tree EO.
2. Apply the combination to your scalp, utilizing your fingertips to therapeutic massage it in gently.
3. Let the combination sit in your scalp for 20–half-hour.
4. Rinse your hair and scalp with cool water.
5. Shampoo and situation your hair as regular.
Be aware: This scalp remedy can be utilized a few times every week to advertise a wholesome scalp. You’ll want to keep away from getting the combination in your eyes, as tea tree oil may cause irritation.
Life-style Modifications for Hair Progress and Scalp Well being
A number of life-style modifications may help to advertise hair progress and enhance general hair well being. Listed here are a number of the most necessary ones:
Preserve a nutritious diet: Consuming a balanced and nutritious weight loss plan can present your hair with the important nutritional vitamins, minerals, and vitamins it must develop and thrive. You’ll want to embody loads of fruits, greens, entire grains, lean protein, and wholesome fat in your weight loss plan.
Keep hydrated: Ingesting loads of water is necessary to your metabolic well being and may help to maintain your hair and scalp hydrated. Goal to drink not less than 8 glasses of water a day.
Cut back stress: Stress can have a damaging impression on hair progress and hair well being. Practising stress-reducing actions corresponding to yoga, meditation, or deep respiratory workout routines may help to scale back stress ranges.
Get sufficient sleep: Satisfactory sleep is necessary for hair well being. Goal to get 7 to eight hours of sleep every night time.
Train repeatedly: Common train may help to enhance blood movement and circulation to the scalp, which might promote hair progress. Goal to get not less than half-hour of reasonable train every day.
Keep away from harsh styling merchandise and coverings: Styling merchandise containing alcohol or sulfates can injury hair and impede progress. Keep away from utilizing harsh chemical substances or warmth remedies in your hair as a lot as attainable.
By making these life-style modifications and incorporating them into your every day routine, you may assist to advertise scalp well being and hair progress to attain robust, lovely hair.
Tea Tree for Hair FAQ
Does tea tree oil irritate the scalp?
Tea tree oil can often be utilized to the pores and skin with out inflicting irritation. That being mentioned, you may nonetheless have an allergic response to tea tree oil, which might trigger redness and irritation. At all times take a look at a small patch of pores and skin earlier than making use of it liberally to the scalp. If irritation happens, wash it off instantly.
Is it okay to depart tea tree oil on hair in a single day?
Sure, it’s completely protected to depart tea tree oil on in a single day or for prolonged intervals of time. Whilst you don’t have to rinse it off within the morning, I discover that it could weigh hair down and make the scalp look greasy. In that case, shampoo your hair effectively and magnificence as regular.
Does tea tree oil have an effect on hair colour?
Tea tree oil has astringent properties, which suggests it could lighten hair when utilized in giant portions. I’d keep away from utilizing tea tree oil when you’ve lately coloured your hair.
Will tea tree oil make hair thicker?
No, tea tree oil received’t make your hair are available thicker. However by enhancing scalp well being, it might assist your hair develop longer and seem more healthy.
Tea Tree Hair Oil
This easy, nourishing tea tree hair oil will depart hair and scalp feeling tender and flake-free.
Yield: 4 ounces
Price: $12
Directions
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Mix oils in a small dropper bottle and shake effectively.
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Apply on to your scalp everytime you want a lift of moisture (at night time earlier than mattress is right in case you have nice hair). Wash it out within the morning.
References:
1. Tea tree oil. NIH: Nationwide Middle for Complementary and Integrative Well being web site.
2. Melaleuca. New World Encyclopedia web site.
3. Kairey L, et al. Efficacy and security of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil for human well being—A scientific assessment of randomized managed trials. Entrance Pharmacol. 2023.
4. Carson CF, et al. Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil: a assessment of antimicrobial and different medicinal properties. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2006.
5. Yasin M, et al. River tea tree oil: Composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant actions, and potential functions in agriculture. Vegetation (Basel). 2021.
6. Wallengren J. Tea tree oil attenuates experimental contact dermatitis. Arch Dermatol Res. 2011.
7. Rothenberger J, et al. The impact of polyhexanide, octenidine dihydrochloride, and tea tree oil as topical antiseptic brokers on in vivo microcirculation of the human pores and skin: a noninvasive quantitative evaluation. Wounds. 2016.
8. Umar H, et al. Formulation and in vitro characterization of tea tree oil anti-dandruff shampoo. Curr Cosmet Sci. 2022.
9. Ezekwe N, et al. Using pure elements within the remedy of alopecias with an emphasis on central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia: a scientific assessment. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2020.
10. Di Campli E, et al. Exercise of tea tree oil and nerolidol alone or together in opposition to Pediculus capitis (head lice) and its eggs. Parasit Res. 2012.