Tea Tree Oil Is The Ingredient Your Fussy Scalp Needs - Here's Why
Taking care of your scalp is one of the most important aspects of hair care because a healthy scalp is essential for a healthy head of hair. Scalp care includes basic care essentials such as shampoo and conditioner, as well as a dedicated scalp care routine. This entails making sure your scalp is clean and keeping a close eye on your scalp to identify any issues that you should address. For a lot of us, we can forget to do so because the scalp isn't what we immediately see. However, taking the extra step to care for it anyway will give your hair the extra love it needs.
A few basic tips for scalp care include, first and foremost, using products that are kind to your scalp. We want to make sure any irritation is avoided. Also, when you shampoo your scalp, make sure you go at it with a light hand and gently clean the scalp. Additionally, it's recommended that you don't overwash your scalp. Washing your scalp and hair too often can rid it of the natural oils your scalp produces, which can have a detrimental effect on your hair care.
Any type of beauty routine is perfected, however, by picking the right ingredients. Have you heard of tea tree oil? This is an ingredient that can have some serious benefits for your scalp if you know when and how to use it.
What is tea tree oil?
Tea tree oil is an essential oil extracted from the tea tree — specifically the leaves of the tea tree. The tea tree is native to Australia, and tea tree oil is also sometimes referred to as "melaleuca oil." Its uses are many when used topically and it can benefit acne, fungal infections like athlete's foot, nail fungus, and even head lice and various insect bites (per Mayo Clinic).
Tea tree oil is available for purchase in its pure form as an essential oil, but you'll also commonly find it in a range of products like soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and lotions, although these are the only safe forms of incorporating tea tree oil into your routine. However, if taken orally, it can have dangerous side effects, and you must avoid doing so at all costs.
Although it can benefit multiple aspects of your health and well-being, adding tea tree oil to your beauty routine can do wonders for your scalp and its health too!
The pros of tea tree oil
So, how exactly does tea tree oil work its magic on your scalp? What are all of its benefits? Firstly, says dermatologists who spoke with InStyle, tea tree oil boasts incredible anti-inflammatory properties. This is one reason why tea tree oil can do wonders for your scalp, especially if it's itchy and irritated. Tea tree oil's anti-inflammatory nature can help soothe the scalp and bring you and your scalp comfort.
Tea tree oil is also known for its anti-fungal abilities, which makes it a perfect solution for conditions such as dandruff, which can be attributed to a buildup of yeast on your scalp. What's more, the super essential oil is also capable of managing an oily scalp. Often, an oily scalp is caused by an excess amount of sebum produced in the scalp. This can, in turn, cause your hair to be greasy too. Adding tea tree oil to your scalp can help combat this issue and keep your hair feeling fresh and clean.
The cons of tea tree oil
As with most things in life, tea tree oil also comes with a few minor disadvantages that you might want to look out for. For example, although tea tree oil is gentle and can be used by people with varying skin and scalp types, those with especially sensitive skin might have to be extra careful. Tea tree oil can potentially agitate sensitive skin, especially if you use too much of it. You might also want to take note of how concentrated your tea tree oil product is, as very high concentrations of it might irritate the scalp.
In order to avoid any unwanted reactions to the oil, a patch test is recommended. All you have to do is dab a bit of the oil on your forearm and observe it for any symptoms. You should always patch-test new skincare products — it's always a good precaution, tea tree oil or not.
How to use tea tree oil in your scalp-care routine
Incorporating tea tree oil into your scalp care routine must be done with care and patience. Firstly, remember to use a form of oil that isn't too highly concentrated. If you decide to purchase tea tree oil in essential oil form, it is going to be quite concentrated. For best results, mix a couple of drops of the essential oil with a less potent carrier oil, like coconut oil or olive oil, before you put it on your scalp and hair. Once your scalp gets used to it, you can continue to increase the amount of tea tree oil you put in it.
Alternatively, you can also skip the carrier oil and add a few drops of the oil to your regular shampoo or conditioner. Before you do this, however, make careful note of whether these products already contain tea tree oil in them. If so, you might want to avoid adding more because tea tree oil in heavy concentrations can irritate the scalp.
Other uses for tea tree oil
Tea tree oil isn't just great for the scalp. It has a myriad of other benefits too! For example, Healthline reports that it can even work as a hand sanitizer due to its ability to kill germs and get rid of impurities. These antiseptic abilities also make it great for use on wounded skin. Another underrated fact about the oil is that it can even work as a great natural deodorant, replacing your regular product.
If you're keen, you can also incorporate it into your skincare routine. Tea tree oil can be a great ingredient to help rid your skin of acne and blemishes. Furthermore, as an active ingredient in your skincare routine, it can soothe your skin of any inflammation and soothe it. For example, if you have certain skin conditions, such as dermatitis or psoriasis, tea tree oil could be especially beneficial. Its anti-inflammatory properties work not only on the scalp but on other parts of the skin too.