4 ways to use Tea Tree Oil for Hair Health Improvement
4 Reasons To
Start Using Tea Tree Oil On Your Hair
1. Tea Tree Oil for Longer,
Thicker Hair
While tea tree oil doesn’t necessary speed up hair growth
directly, it can actually encourage hair growth by helping to unclog hair
follicles and nourish the roots. If you suffer from dandruff as well as hair
loss, there’s a very good chance it will help, as dandruff can clog pores as
well as incessant itching and inflammation that can cause hair to fall out.
A 2002 study published in the Journal
of the American Academy of Dermatology found that when a group of male
and female participants used a shampoo with a 5% concentration of tea tree oil
over a four-week period, nearly half experienced a significant decline in
dandruff. Just 11% of participants in another group treated with a placebo,
reported improvement. While the research doesn’t prove that tea tree oil
directly causes the hair to grow, it does offer evidence as to how it can help.
Tea tree oil effectively moisturizes the hair so that the scalp is no longer
dry and itchy, and it also helps to prevent dead skin cells from building up,
as well as residues of other haircare products, leading the way to longer, more
lustrous locks. At the same time, the tea tree oil can also control excess oil
produced in the scalp that can block hair follicles, preventing hair growth.
There are a number of ways you can use tea tree oil for longer,
thicker hair. One of the best is to use it as a massage oil on your scalp,
though you’ll need to dilute it first in a carrier
oil. Simply add a few drops to a carrier oil like almond, olive or
coconut oil in its liquid form, and massage it into your scalp. Then wrap your
hair up in a towel and allow it to sit for about 10 minutes to soak up the full
benefits of the oils before rinsing it out. Start out by applying the treatment
two to three times per week, and after experiencing desired results, continue
it on a weekly basis.
For an extra-deep treatment, to be used no more often than once
per week, use hot oils. A hot oil treatment is especially effective for
treating both dandruff and hair loss. Follow the previous directions, blending
a few drops of tea tree oil to a carrier oil like almond, jojoba, olive or
coconut oil, and then warm it up on the stove. You want it to be warm, but not
so hot that it could burn your scalp. When it’s at the right temperature,
massage it into your scalp and then quickly wrap your hair in a towel to hold the
heat in. Wait 30 minutes before rinsing it out. The heat helps to open up hair
follicles, helping the oils to penetrate the scalp.
Yet another option is to make a tea tree oil spray that can be
applied to your hair and left in. Just fill up a glass
spray bottle with water, and add about 5 drops of tea tree oil per
ounce. Spray it on in the morning and leave it on throughout the day to fight
dandruff and encourage hair growth.
2. Tea Tree Oil for Battling
Dandruff
As mentioned, tea tree oil is great for fighting dandruff, so
even if you aren’t experiencing hair loss and/or seeking longer, thicker hair,
if you have a problem with dandruff, it’s one of the best remedies out there,
thanks to its antifungal and antibacterial properties. The oil fights the
fungus that causes dandruff without drying out the scalp. It also serves as a
natural conditioner and eliminates problems that lead the scalp to flake.
To use tea tree oil to treat dandruff, you can simply add it to
your usual shampoo, using about 10 drops per eight ounces of shampoo. Wash your
hair as normal, but allow the shampoo and tea tree oil blend to sit for five
minutes before rinsing to allow the scalp to soak up the benefits.
For even quicker, more effective results, apply an overnight
treatment by filling a small, empty bottle about three-quarters full with
almond oil, coconut oil, olive oil or jojoba oil. Then add 15 drops of tea tree
oil and mix well. Apply the concoction to your scalp by massaging it in for
several minutes, ensuring the scalp is completely saturated. Place your hair in
a shower cap, or another type of covering to avoid getting the oil on your
pillowcase, and keep it on overnight. In the morning, wash your hair as you
normally would with shampoo, and then apply conditioner.
3. Tea Tree Oil for Itchy scalp
Even if you don’t suffer from dandruff, you may suffer from an
itchy scalp which can also be extremely irritating and lead to other problems
like hair loss. An itchy scalp is typically caused by a fungus, bacteria or an
allergic reaction, and tea tree oil has been proven to fight these problems. It
can even address scalp eczema and scalp folliculitis.
There are multiple homemade recipes using tea tree oil to
address the issue, so you may want to experiment, starting out with one in
which you have all of the ingredients now.
Coconut and tea tree oil solution:
1.
Combine 10 drops of tea tree oil with one tablespoon of organic,
unrefined coconut oilin a small bowl.
2.
Mix well until the coconut oil turns is completely liquid, and
both the oils blended together.
3.
Apply the oil mixture into your scalp by massaging it in,
concentrating on dry, itchy areas, while avoiding the hair and keeping it on
the scalp as much as possible.
4.
Allow it to sit for at least 30 minutes, but ideally overnight.
5.
Rinse well and then shampoo as normal, following with a good
conditioner.
6.
Repeat the process at least once per week.
Tea tree, peppermint, and olive oil solution:
This is an extra potent recipe for addressing an itchy scalp, so
use it no more than once per week.
1.
Combine three drops of peppermint oil, three drops of tea
tree oil and a tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil.
2.
Add the oils to a cup of very warm, but not scalding water. Mix
well.
3.
Shampoo your hair as you normally would and rinse.
4.
Now massage the oil mixture into your scalp, allowing it to
penetrate for several minutes before rinsing. Be sure to wash all of it out
completely to avoid a greasy hair look.
5.
If you have a hard time getting all of the oil out, use a mild
shampoo afterward to get it out completely.
After shower solution:
1.
Shampoo and condition your hair as you normally would.
Afterward, towel dry and comb out your hair.
2.
Add about 10 drops of tea tree oil to the palm of your hand.
Gently rub your hands together to disperse the oil.
3.
Massage the oil into your scalp, working it all the way to the
ends of your hair. If your hair is especially long and thick, you may need a
bit more oil. If it’s very short, cut back a bit.
4.
Leave the oil on and then dry and style your hair as usual.
4. Tea Tree Oil for Getting Rid
of Head Lice
According to the world-renowned Mayo
Clinic, more research is needed to learn how effective tea tree oil is
for combating lice, however, there have been some studies that suggest it could
be useful for treating this very annoying problem. One 2012 study in particular,
published in Parasitology Research, found that tea tree oil may
be able to kill lice in the nymph and adult stages of life, as well as reduce
the number of lice eggs that hatch.
Research conducted in 2010 out of the University of Queensland
in Australia and published
in BMC Dermatology, also
discovered rather promising results. Experts treated children suffering from
head lice with various treatments, including a tea tree and lavender oil
treatment. Just one-quarter of those treated with a chemical anti-lice shampoo
containing piperonyl butoxide and pyrethrins were free of lice afterward;
however, nearly all of the kids treated with the tea tree oil solution were
totally lice-free.
Of course, while more large-scale studies may be needed for
scientific proof in order for experts to recommend it as a safe, effective lice
treatment, those who’ve tried tea tree oil for eliminating lice seem to swear
by it. That’s because tea tree oil contains two elements known for their
insecticidal properties that help kill lice: 1,8-cineole and terpinen-4-ol. In
addition, the oil helps to remove nits or lice eggs as it can dissolve the
gummy texture that connects the nits to the hair shaft, making them easy to
remove when combing the hair.
Follow these instructions to use tea tree oil to eliminate lice:
1.
Mix up a tea tree solution using a mild shampoo by adding 3 to 4
drops of tea tree oil and 3 to 4 drops of lavender essential oil to a small
bowl.
2.
Add about 95 to 100 drops of mild shampoo, or about the amount
of the size of a quarter; mix well.
3.
Add a few drops of extra-virgin olive oil which will aid in
suffocating the lice. Mix well again, until all ingredients are blended
thoroughly. Work the shampoo mixture into your hair, massaging it into the
scalp area, where most of the lice and nits tend to be.
4.
Don’t rinse, but instead, cover the hair with a shower cap and
allow the shampoo to remain for 30 minutes.
5.
After 30 minutes, work the shampoo/oil into a lather, working it
through the scalp and hair with your fingers to eliminate as many lice as
possible.
6.
Rinse well with warm water, ensuring that all shampoo and
residue is gone.
7.
Apply a leave-in conditioner to make it easier to remove the
lice when combing through the hair.
8.
Using a lice comb starting at the scalp, comb through the hair
to remove all lice and nits. If it’s very long, you may need to divide the hair
into sections, combing through each one at a time.
9.
Repeat this treatment daily for seven days to ensure all nits
and lice have been removed.
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