Mythbusters: Is Tea Tree Oil Good For Hair?

You've probably already heard about using tea tree-flavored everything like soap, serums, and creams in order to help with skin issues.

But did you know that some people use tea tree oil to solve their hair issues too? In today's ZALA Mythbusters, we'll answer the question: is tea tree oil good for hair?

zala mythbusters tea tree oil good for hair

What Is Tea Tree Oil?

Tea tree oil is a natural plant extract that is taken from the leaves and wood of the tea tree shrub, known as the Melaleuca alternifolia, which is endemic to Australia. More specifically, it can be found on the northeastern coast of New South Wales, where it has been used for thousands of years for a variety of things.

Traditionally, it has always been used to treat fungal infections and even speed up skin healing. It's used to treat athlete's foot, psoriasis, and other types of inflammatory ailments.

The Myth

Since tea tree oil is known for its antifungal, antimicrobial, and antibacterial properties, it's also being used as a solution to various kinds of hair issues, specifically those that have to do with the scalp.

We're talking itchiness, dryness, dandruff, and even lice. Many have tried using tea tree oil to banish all these hair problems, and many will testify that it worked for them.

The only question is, is it really true that tea tree oil can help?

The Truth

Actually, tea tree oil can really be used to treat those things – and even more.

According to a study conducted by the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology, tea tree oil is a great solution to itchy scalp and flaking. In fact, even just a 5% mixture of tea tree oil is effective enough to mitigate the issue.

Tea Tree Oil Benefits

Tea tree oil has so many benefits for the hair, you can't even imagine.

1. Soothes the scalp

2. Removes dandruff

3. Kills off head lice

4. Encourages hair growth

5. Improves scalp health

How To Use Tea Tree Oil For Hair

There are many ways to use tea tree oil for hair.

Some words of warning, however:

Never ingest tea tree oil. It's meant to be a topical amount, not something to be eaten. It can cause various problems for your health like loss of muscle control. It has even put some people in a coma
Oxidized tea tree oil is less effective than fresh tea tree oil. The former can even cause allergies in some people.
Don't use tea tree oil if you're allergic to similar ingredients, like eucalyptol or benzoin.