People across the world constantly seek different ways to improve the health of hair. In the pursuit of increasing hair growth and quality, they often opt for hair treatments which may also have side effects. Hence, it is best to look for natural products that are safe to use.
Tea tree oil is an effective natural oil that provides us with a wide range of benefits for both the skin and hair. It can provide the vital nourishment to hair along with preventing hair fall, dandruff, and scalp irritation.
Benefits of Tea Tree Oil for Hair
Let us look at some of the most popular benefits of tea tree oil for hair:
Reduces Dandruff
Research suggests that the use of tea tree oil, rich in antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, helps in reducing dandruff from the scalp. [1]
Tea tree oil is a healthy natural oil for hair care and skin care. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Relieves Scalp Irritation
Tea tree oil has antiviral and antiseptic properties that help in providing relief from itchy scalp and excessively oily hair. It helps in maintaining optimal scalp health and keeping it clean. [2]
Prevents Hairfall
The use of tea tree oil provides the much-needed nourishment to hair follicles and roots, which in turn helps in reducing hair fall.
Promotes Hair Growth
Tea tree oil unclogs the hair follicles, which ensures healthy hair growth. Regular use of this oil also helps in improving hair quality. [3]
Prevents Bacterial & Fungal Infections
The use of tea tree oil helps prevent bacterial and fungal infections that may otherwise lead to hair loss. [4]
For best results, tea tree oil is often mixed with a variety of other products, which further enhances and complements its properties.
How to Use Tea Tree Oil for Hair?
Tea tree oil can be used in a number of ways for hair. The most common methods of using it are as follows:
- Carrier Oil: Tea tree oil is usually blended with carrier oils such as jojoba oil or olive oil. The carrier oil is important because tea tree oil in its raw form is very strong and using it in undiluted form may cause allergy and irritation. Moreover, jojoba oil and olive oil are both known to be excellent for hair care themselves. Make sure you add only a few drops of the tea tree oil while mixing it with any carrier oils.
- Shampoo: You can use shampoos that contain tea tree oil for improving the health of the hair. Alternatively, you can also mix ten drops of tea tree oil in every ten ounces of your regular shampoo and get all the benefits.
Does tea tree oil kill lice?
Using tea tree oil to keep lice away is quite a controversial treatment. While some people swear by this method, there are some experts who are not totally convinced. According to a study published in Parasitology Research, tea tree oil can be used to kill lice in the nymph and adult phases of life. The tree tea oil treatment also aided in lessening the number of lice eggs that hatched. A study published in the BMC Dermatology Journal states that when mixed with lavender oil, tea tree oil is quite effective in treating lice eggs. However, Mayo Clinic insists on additional research to ascertain its effectiveness in killing lice. [5] [6] [7]
Word of Caution: Use of undiluted tea tree oil may cause allergy or irritation, so speak with your doctor before using it. Excess use of this oil may also cause the hair to become weak and brittle.
Overall, tea tree oil has numerous benefits for the hair and so proper use can help you get healthy and beautiful hair.
