Tea Tree Oil is an active ingredient in most of the hair care and beauty products like face washes, body lotions etc. It is the best alternative to all those chemical laden beauty and health products.
It is also a boon for people with dandruff, dry and itchy scalp, sun burns, corns and warts. A few drops of it can keep your pet flea free (even I didn’t know that).
In simple words, it’s a jack of all trades. Therefore, tea tree oil for hair has been used by various people to solve their hair problems.
Tea tree oil or melaleuca oil is obtained from the leaves of the Melaleuca Alternifolia, native to the Northeast coast of New South Wales and the Southeast Queensland, Australia.
So don’t let the name confuse you, just like me because I used to think that it is extracted from tea producing plants (silly me). 😉
Let’s Have a Quick Look at the Natural Properties of This Magic Potion
- It is a multitasker. It is antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal and also fights against infections, which helps to tackle hair related problems.
- It is a great moisturizer to prevent dry and itchy scalp.
- Massaging the scalp with tea tree oil helps to enhance hair growth and stimulate blood flow.
- It has anti-androgenic effects as it hinders the male hormones causing hair loss.
Things to Keep in Mind
- It is very toxic if taken by mouth. So keep it for external use only.
- Don’t apply it directly on your scalp and hair (I committed this blunder once.) Always dilute it first with other oils, shampoo or conditioner otherwise it’ll make your hair weak and brittle.
- Do a patch test in small quantity before using it because you might be allergic to it.
- Five drops a day are enough for your whole scalp and hair.
- Warm the olive oil first if you want to mix it with tea tree oil otherwise it’ll not mix well.
Here are the remedies on how to use Tea Tree Oil for hair to get strong and shiny locks
How to Use Tea Tree Oil For Dandruff?
There are many benefits of tea tree oil for hair and one of them is it fights against the dandruff causing fungus and acts as a natural conditioner to your hair.
Method-1
All you have to do is, add 5 drops of tea tree oil to the amount of shampoo you need to wash your hair.
Simply apply this mixture on your scalp and keep it for a few minutes. Then wash it off with plain water only.
Same trick will also work for dry and itchy scalp (doesn’t it sound like killing two birds with one stone.) 🙂
For quick results, you can buy Tea Tree Oil Shampoo easily available in the market.
Method-2
You can also make tea tree oil spray by adding a few drops of it to a cup of warm water. Pour this mixture in a spray bottle.
Spray this solution on your hair after washing them. Massage it well and pat dry. Repeat this process regularly to get rid of dandruff fast.
Method-3
One more option is adding a few drops of tea tree oil to 3 tablespoons of warm olive oil. Then do the same old boring thing, massage this mixture gently on the scalp.
Cover your hair with a towel soaked in hot water. It will help to open the clogged pores and clean the scalp. Keep it for half an hour, after that rinse it off with your favorite but mild shampoo.
How to Use Tea Tree Oil For Hair Growth?
Tea tree oil when mixed with olive oil works wonders for your mane. It nourishes the roots, unclogs the hair follicles. adds smoothness to rough hair and make them grow faster.
And yes, here are some olive oil hair treatments to make you fall in love with your hair, all over again.
Directions to Use:
- Mix 4 or 5 drops of tea tree oil to 3 tablespoons of olive oil (don’t forget to warm the olive oil).
- Apply this regularly or once a day for three weeks to see the amazing results.
If you have missed one day, then do not apply it twice the next day (well, that’s a bit of common sense.)
How to Use Tea Tree Oil As A Hair Fall Remedy?
The use of tea tree oil also slows down the thinning of hair and revitalizes them.
Directions to Use:
- Mix 3 tablespoons of any carrier oil (olive oil, castor oil, almond oil, jojoba oil) with a few drops of tea tree oil.
- Massage your scalp with the mixture for a few minutes.
- Rinse your hair after an hour.
- Use this regularly for 2 weeks to see results.
- This will also help in getting rid of those creepy head lice (if you have any).
How to Use Tea Tree Oil For Dry Scalp?
This one for all oil is amazing for your dry scalp as it can moisturize and nourish your scalp and hair.
Directions to Use:
- Add a few drops of tea tree oil to jojoba oil and mix them well.
- Massage the concoction gently onto your scalp for about 15 minutes.
- After that rinse out thoroughly and wash your hair as usual.
- Repeat this procedure regularly to relieve any symptoms of dry scalp.
This oil can also be added to your conditioner to help relieve the itchiness, dry scalp’s best friend.
Directions to Use:
- Shampoo your hair as usual.
- Add a few drops of tea tree oil to your conditioner.
- Mix well and apply to your scalp and hair.
- Now, leave it for a few minutes and then rinse off completely.
How to Use Tea Tree Oil For Cradle Cap?
Cradle cap is a problem among babies caused by excessive production of sebum, which makes their scalp flaky and dry. It can be effectively cured with tea tree oil.
Directions to Use:
- Mix tea tree oil with a mild baby oil in the ratio of 1:10 i.e. one part of tea tree oil and ten parts baby oil.
- Gently massage this mixture on your baby’s scalp. After 10-15 minutes, wash it off with a baby shampoo.
- Repeat this process regularly to make your baby’s scalp healthy.
How to Use Tea Tree Oil for Hair Lice?
Now, we know that tea tree oil for hair is quite effective, but do you know it can also be used to treat your child’s head lice.
According to Mayo Clinic, tea tea tree alone or in combination with others can be an effective treatment for lice.
Directions to Use:
- Buy a tea tree oil shampoo or buy the oil itself and add 10 drops of the oil it to the shampoo.
- Apply it to your child’s scalp and hair and shampoo like usual.
- Rinse out the shampoo, and then put some coconut or any oil of your choice around your child’s scalp line and leave it for few minutes.
- While the hair is still wet, use a fine-toothed comb to comb through your child’s entire head carefully and examine for lice and nits.
- If you find any, then remove them immediately.
- Repeat this process regularly until you are certain that your child has not a louse left in his hair.
To prevent re-infestation or spread, make sure to wash your infected child’s clothes, stuffed animals and bedding with hot water, soap, and tea tree oil.
Also, if lice refuse to budge and doesn’t clear up within a few weeks, then consider alternative treatments and consult your doctor.
Concluding Words
So the next time you go to the grocery store, don’t forget to buy tea tree oil to reap its benefits. I hope this article on Tea Tree Oil For Hair will solve most of your hair problems.
If you think, we have missed any benefit of this magical potion then let us know in the comment section.
Wish you Happy Hair Days ahead.
FAQs Related to Tea Tree Oil for Hair
Is tea tree oil fully safe because it's natural?
Can I use tea tree oil orally?
Is tea tree oil safe to use during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Will tea tree oil for hair irritate my skin? Will I become allergic to it?
Moreover, irritability is concentration-dependent, higher concentrations of tea tree oil, more irritating it will be.
Allergy to tea tree oil or any substance requires repeated applications. On the other hand, irritant reaction can happen on the first application.
So, it is advisable to do a patch test before using it.
Tea tree oil does work for hair loss. My hair was thinning and tried all the tea tree products. Some are too strong and will irritate your scalp and make your hair fall out quicker. Tea tree oil needs to be diluted in a good shampoo. I used both Jason’s Natural and the Made from Earth Tea Tree Shampoo. They are both good, but I now only use the Made from Earth Tea Tree Shampoo, because I feel it has made my hair grow back more than the Jasons Naturals. I have been using the Made from Earth shampoo now for about 2 months, and my thinning is almost back to where it was before i started thinning. 🙂