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What are the benefits of using Tea Tree Oil on your hair?

What are the benefits of using Tea Tree Oil on your hair?
Hollie Bradbury
Writer and expert3 years ago
View Hollie Bradbury's profile

With its distinctive lively and fresh fragrance, there is no denying the beautifully spirited scent of Tea Tree Oil. Tea Tree Oil is a seriously diverse and multi-functional product that truly deserves a top spot in everybody’s hair and beauty routine. 

Often thought of as solely a skincare saviour, thanks to it’s anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, Tea Tree Oil has long since been recognised for its benefit in the treatment of acne, cold sores and even athletes foot. But did you know that Tea Tree Oil also offers many surprising benefits when used on your hair and scalp?  

Discover the amazing benefits of using Tea Tree Oil for your hair

What is Tea Tree Oil? 

Tea Tree Oil is a natural essential oil that is extracted from the leaves and the wood of the native Australian Melaleuca Alternifolia plant. Used by the Aboriginal indigenous population to treat fungal infections, grazes and infections, this potent oil can also be used as part of your daily hairstyling to help soothe a dry scalp, kill head lice and eradicate dandruff.  

The 5 amazing beneficial properties of Tea Tree Oil 

  • Antibacterial  
  • Anti-viral  
  • Antiseptic 
  • Anti-fungal 
  • Anti-inflammatory 

How to use Tea Tree Oil

We know what you’re thinking, this all sounds fantastic, but how do I actually use Tea Tree Oil effectively on my hair?  We recommend mixing 5-10 drops of Tea Tree Oil with carrier oils such as jojoba oil, almond oil or unrefined coconut oil to create a deeply nourishing hair masque. Whether it’s a quick hair masque to apply whilst you’re in the shower, or a deep treatment overnight masque, this formulation works beautifully both ways.   

Another way to reap the benefits of Tea Tree Oil on your hair and scalp is to dilute 8-10 drops of Tea Tree Oil into some water, decant the mix into a spray bottle and spritz through your hair each day.  

How to use Tea Tree Oil in shampoo 

If you are looking to make your own Tea Tree Oil formulation, you can also add Tea Tree Oil to your everyday shampoo. Simply add 5-10 drops of Tea Tree Oil for every 250ml of shampoo. Once you’ve made your cocktail, massage the shampoo and Tea Tree Oil mix into your scalp and comb throughout the ends of your hair to start reaping those fantastic benefits. You will feel a slight tingly sensation upon application, that’s the Tea Tree Oil working its magic! 

And if you don’t feel like making your own mix, here at Look Fantastic we stock a brilliant range of Tea Tree Oil infused products, including one of our personal favourites, the Cantu Shea Butter Tea tree Jojoba Hair And Scalp Oil. This super conditioning and soothing oil is formulated with pure shea butter, Tea Tree Oil and gentle Jojoba Oil which are the dream team ingredients to promote natural shine whilst encouraging a healthy growth environment. Suitable for all hair types and particularly great for weaves, this no-drip formulation is perfect for discovering the benefits of Tea Tree Oil. 

How to use Tea Tree Oil to soothe a dry scalp and clear up dandruff 

Thanks to its natural antibacterial and antifungal properties, Tea Tree Oil is an excellent cleanser that can help maintain a healthy, clean scalp. The punchy essential oil acts as a natural hydrating conditioner which helps alleviate any undesirable scalp complaints such as psoriasis and dandruff. A dry scalp isn’t the only cause of dandruff however, it can also be caused by other fungal skin conditions too, not to worry though because Tea Tree Oil can help in both instances. 

By regularly using Tea Tree Oil, you can help keep your scalp and hair follicles free of product build-up and dead skin cells. If you find you have oily hair that gets greasy quickly, Tea Tree Oil can also help rebalance your scalp's PH level which in turn will help control the excess oil production. Pretty magical stuff right? 

Can Tea Tree Oil help prevent hair loss and breakage? 

Hair that grows on a dandruff-infected scalp can, unfortunately, suffer a lot of damage, especially to the hair cuticle. Pair that with the endless head-scratching due to an irritated and inflamed scalp and you have a recipe for disaster resulting in hair loss and hair breakage. Tea Tree Oil stimulates dormant hair follicles whilst soothing a dry, inflamed scalp to help to clear up dandruff - This in turn can help unnecessary hair damage and hair loss. 

Can Tea Tree Oil treat head lice? 

As we have previously mentioned, Tea Tree Oil has many antibacterial properties, but what’s more, Tea Tree Oil is also insecticidal which means you can use it to treat unwanted parasites such as head lice and their eggs. The higher the concentration of Tea Tree Oil, the more successful the treatment of head lice and head lice eggs. To create your natural solution to treat head lice, mix 8-10 drops of Tea Tree Oil with unrefined coconut oil and comb through the hair. 

What are the side effects of using Tea Tree Oil? 

Tea Tree Oil is a powerful essential oil, we recommend diluting it with other products such as water, shampoo or a gentle carrier oil, however, be mindful that it is toxic if it is ingested. If you haven’t used Tea Tree Oil before, we recommend that you carry out a patch test first to see how the Tea Tree Oil reacts with your skin or scalp, this is especially important if you have particularly sensitive skin. You can always gently increase the potency of your Tea Tree Oil mix slowly over time if you are experiencing no adverse effects and are enjoying the benefits of using Tea Tree Oil. 

Tea Tree Oil benefits 

Tea Tree Oil is a truly magical ingredient to help restore the life into lacklustre hair whilst helping solve a number of complaints from dandruff to head lice. If you haven’t tried it already, we recommend starting out with the Australian Bodycare Tea Tree Oil, to really start seeing the benefits of Tea Tree Oil for yourself. 

Have you ever used Tea Tree Oil on your hair? 

Shop hair care treatments and essentials 

Hollie Bradbury
Writer and expert
View Hollie Bradbury's profile
I've been writing about hair and beauty for over 10 years. I am a collector of vintage perfume and my go-to look always includes a bold pink lip! For more, visit https://www.goodgollymisshollie.co.uk
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