Want to find out the benefits of tea tree oil for hair? Today we’ll go over why you need it in your hair care routine, and 5 easy ways to use it.
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I think you’ll agree with me when I say that scalp and hair problems like an itchy scalp, flakes, and hair that seems to grow at a snail’s pace are not fun.
It can be hard to figure out what to use for these issues, especially if you’re someone who doesn’t want to spend a ton of time doing hair masks and extensive treatments.
I will be sharing a hair mask recipe with you, but in this post I’ll also go over a few other quicker ways to use tea tree oil for hair.
I’ll also share 5 effective hair products that contain tea tree oil, in case you want to skip the DIYs.
Most of these methods are not time consuming, so you can use them on days when you don’t want to spend the time waiting for your hair treatment to work its magic.
I personally love using tea tree oil in a few of these quick and easy ways on days that I want to refresh my scalp, but it’s not a wash day or I’m not in the mood to do a hair mask.
Tea tree oil is an amazing natural home remedy for hair and scalp issues. Whether you want to do a fast in-shower treatment or a deep moisturizing hair mask, there’s a method here for you. Here’s how tea tree oil can help boost your hair growth, and 5 awesome ways to use it.
Benefits of Tea Tree Oil for Hair
Tea tree oil is made from the melaleuca alternifolia plant, which is a tree that is native to Australia.
Tea tree oil has been used as a natural remedy for many ailments including acne, lice and athlete’s foot. It is also commonly used in aromatherapy.
Tea tree oil is also popularly used for dandruff, and can help heal many scalp issues.
Scalp health is crucial for hair growth and hair health, so using it in your hair routine can make a massive difference in the condition and growth of your hair.
Tea tree oil is an awesome ingredient to include in your hair care routine because it:
- is anti-inflammatory, helping to heal scalp conditions such as dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis
- has antifungal properties that help get rid of fungal infections
- promotes blood flow to the scalp, which encourages hair growth
- balances out the scalp’s oil production
- reduces flakes and dryness on the scalp
- gets rid of itchiness on the scalp
- helps to reduce buildup on the hair strands
- prevents clogged hair follicles
- helps get rid of lice
Overall, tea tree oil helps to create an ideal environment for healthy hair growth.
Before we get into the methods to use it, it’s important to note that if you are using pure tea tree essential oil, you must dilute it before using it on your skin and hair.
This is because essential oils are quite strong and can cause a lot of irritation if they’re not diluted with another product.
How do you dilute tea tree oil for hair? It’s easy! You simply mix your drops of tea tree oil with either a carrier oil or other hair products.
This way you can receive the benefits of the essential oil without irritation or negative side effects.
Always do a patch test when trying a new ingredient for the first time, especially if you are allergy prone or have sensitive skin. If you experience itching, burning or other signs of an allergic reaction, discontinue use and consult a dermatologist.
Where to Buy Tea Tree Oil
JASON Purifying Tea Tree Pure Natural Skin Oil
How to Use Tea Tree Oil for Hair Growth
Now let’s get into the 5 different ways you can apply tea tree oil on your scalp.
For the DIY hair care remedies, the amount of tea tree oil you use is going to depend on the amount of carrier oil/product you have, and what your skin can tolerate.
Start with a smaller amount for your first time, then increase by a few drops the next time and see how your skin and hair respond.
1. Tea Tree Oil Hair Mask
DIY
Ingredients:
- 2-3 tablespoons raw honey
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 10-15 drops tea tree oil
Directions:
- Mix the ingredients well and apply the mask to sectioned hair, evenly distributed from root to tip
- Cover with a plastic cap, and leave on for 20 minutes
- Shampoo and condition
PRODUCT
If you want to skip the DIY, this Briogeo scalp mask contains tea tree oil and charcoal to help soothe any scalp irritation. It’s also hydrating so you can get rid of the dryness and flakes once and for all!
Briogeo Scalp Revival™ Charcoal + Tea Tree Cooling Hydration Mask for Dry, Itchy Scalp
2. Tea Tree Oil Shampoo
DIY
Directions:
- Mix 3-5 drops of tea tree oil with your shampoo
- Focus the shampoo on your roots, and massage the scalp to stimulate blood flow and loosen dead skin flakes
- Rinse and condition as usual
PRODUCT
Another great way to get the benefits of tea tree oil while washing your hair is to use a shampoo that already contains tea tree. This shampoo from Briogeo has tea tree oil and is amazing for exfoliating the scalp – this has worked well for my scalp so I personally recommend using this in your hair care routine!
Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo
3. Tea Tree Oil Hair Rinse
DIY
Ingredients:
- 2 herbal tea bags
- 5-10 drops of tea tree oil
Directions:
- Brew your tea, and add in the tea tree oil
- Apply the tea rinse to your hair, and leave on for 30 minutes
- Rinse!
Find the full instructions on how to make a tea hair rinse here, and check out this post for the best herbal teas to use for hair growth.
PRODUCT
Instead of a full rinse, you can do a simple scalp treatment. This Briogeo scalp treatment contains not only tea tree oil, but peppermint and ginger oils too! This is an fantastic combo for stimulating the scalp and promoting hair growth.
Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Scalp Treatment
4. Pre-shampoo Scalp Oil
DIY
Ingredients:
- 2-3 tablespoons carrier oil of choice
- 3-6 drops of tea tree oil
Directions:
- Mix the oils well and apply in sections to the scalp
- Massage the scalp for a few minutes, then leave on for 30 minutes
- Shampoo and condition
Wondering which carrier oil to use for your pre-poo treatment? If you have low porosity or fine hair, this post has the best oils to use for your hair type. Castor oil is a great option for those with coarser hair and to further boost hair growth, and jojoba oil is amazing for healing the scalp.
PRODUCT
Instead of using one carrier oil, you can add a few drops of tea tree oil into a hair oil that contains a blend of potent and effective oils for hair growth. Fable & Mane’s Hair Oil contains both jojoba oil and castor seed oil. Plus it has ashwagandha which is powerful for strengthening hair follicles and reducing inflammation. Take a few minutes to massage your scalp to stimulate blood flow.
FABLE & MANE HoliRoots™ Pre-Wash Strengthening Treatment Hair Oil
Vegamour GRO Revitalizing Scalp Massager
5. Tea Tree Oil Hair Spray
DIY
You can spritz this in your hair whenever your hair and scalp feel like they need a little boost. This hydrating hair spray will help prevent hair breakage, add shine, and act as a natural hair moisturizer.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of glycerin
- 1/2 cup rosewater (or substitute plain water)
- 1/4 cup aloe vera juice
- 10-15 drops tea tree oil
Directions:
- Mix the ingredients together in a spray bottle
- For best results, evenly spray the mixture onto damp hair after washing
- Continue with your regular hair styling routine
PRODUCT
Short on time? Try this BondiBoost Intensive Spray that contains tea tree oil, PLUS rosemary oil, peppermint oil, nettle extract and clover extract! It’s a non-greasy leave in spray formulated to promote healthy hair growth. I really love that it doesn’t feel oily, I’ve used this many times on non-wash days and it leaves NO residue.
BondiBoost Intensive Spray
FAQ’s
Can I leave tea tree oil in my hair overnight?
As long as the tea tree oil is diluted well, you can leave your hair treatment on overnight if desired.
If you have very sensitive skin or are prone to irritation with essential oils, be cautious with leaving tea tree oil on for long periods of time.
Can I use tea tree oil for hair loss?
Tea tree oil can help prevent hair loss by getting rid of inflammation and scalp conditions that can be causing hair loss.
It also helps reduce buildup and clogging of hair follicles that could also be contributing to hair loss.
There are plenty of benefits of tea tree oil for hair, and as you can see, many ways to incorporate it into your hair routine. Try these methods and see which one is your favorite!
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