Benefits and Risks Of Tea Tree Oil For Scalp
Recent studies have shown the great significance of using tea oil. This essential oil obtained from leaves of Australian Tea Trees has great medicinal use. Early Australians used tea oil to treat infections and treat clean wounds. Today, because of its antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties, cosmetic ingredients like shampoos and soaps have traces of tea tree oil.
Many common issues in the scalp like dandruff, itchiness, and psoriasis are eliminated by the continuous use of tea tree oil. However, before using tea tree oil for scalp, you should know the risks and precautions associated with it.
-
Tree tea oil is very safe to use and apply, but it is toxic when ingested directly.
-
If you are using tree tea oil for the first time, then initially apply a few drops on your skin. Because most of the sensitive skins show a quick reaction to undiluted tea tree oil.
-
Young children or pregnant women should not use undiluted tea tree oil products.
-
Always dilute the essential oil in water if you are uncertain about the correct measurement.
How to Choose the Correct Product?
Always look over the label when you purchase any tea tree oil product from the market. See the following specifications for the better analysis:
-
The label should have the Latin name of tree Melaleuca alternifolia.
-
It should be steam distilled.
-
The product should be from Australia.
When you start using tea tree oil for scalp, you get quick relief from the following problems.
1. Dandruff
Dandruff is one of the most encountered scalp problems. It makes scalp look red, causes skin flakes, scaly skin and greasy patches. Researchers have still not been able to figure out why only some people tend to develop dandruff. Of which some of the researchers say that Malassezia – a type of fungus is the main cause.
As we know that tea tree oil provides antifungal resistance, it reduces dandruff in the scalp to a large extent. For this, people use shampoo having five percent of tea tree oil.
2. Itchiness
It is very irritating to have an itching sensation on your scalp. Many unknown bacteria and fungus might accumulate and multiply and makes your scalp prone to Itchiness. However, the antibacterial resistivity provided by tea tree oil solves this problem.
You have to regularly massage your head with diluted tea tree oil. With 2-3 weeks, the itchiness will vanish.
3. Psoriasis
In Psoriasis, a person develops red scaly patches on the skin of the scalp. Though there is no firm evidence about the benefits offered by tea tree oil for Psoriasis, National Psoriasis Foundation has some positive results. Some Psoriasis patients showed recovery when they used tea tree oil.
Studies show that anti-inflammatory property present in tea tree oil may cure the red scaly patches on the skin of the scalp of Psoriasis patient.
On a concluding note, tea tree oil is one of the best essential oil ones should use to get relief from dandruff, psoriasis, and itchiness. However, ensure that you are using a genuine product as per the specification mentioned by us.