Tea tree essential oil

Is it effective against hair loss?

To date, numerous studies have explored the properties of tea tree essential oil; however, direct research on hair loss is quite scarce.

Typically, studies focus on the antifungal properties of the oil, but we have come across a rather intriguing study specifically conducted on androgenetic alopecia.

A study : tea tree oil containing mixture against minoxidil for androgenetic alopecia

In a 2013 study conducted by a team of Saudi researchers, a formula containing various components was compared to minoxidil in patients suffering from androgenetic alopecia.

Thirty-two patients were divided into three groups:

• Group 1: Minoxidil 5% + diclofenac 0.5% + tea tree essential oil 5%
• Group 2: Minoxidil 5%
• Group 3: Placebo (no active ingredients)

The results indicated that the formulation was significantly superior to both the minoxidil-only and placebo formulations in terms of hair count, weight, and thickness. Patients using the formulation reported slowed hair loss, increased hair growth, and improved appearance with no noticeable side effects, in contrast to those using only minoxidil or the placebo.

The multimodal formulation was also found to be stable, safe, and effective over 32 weeks, demonstrating better outcomes compared to minoxidil alone in the treatment of androgenic alopecia.

The study’s published results are as follows:

This table reveals that after 32 weeks:

• Group 1 (Formulation A: minoxidil 5% + tea tree 5% + diclofenac 0.5%) noted an increase of 84 hairs in the control area.
• Group 2 (Formulation B: minoxidil 5%) noted an increase of 48 hairs in the control area.
• Group 3 (Formulation C: placebo) noted a decrease of 57 hairs in the control area.

This study demonstrates the effectiveness of diclofenac and tea tree essential oil in some way. I believe diclofenac acts as an anti-inflammatory, while tea tree oil functions as an antifungal with other properties that are still not fully understood. As for minoxidil, its efficacy is no longer in question.

Tea tree essential oil in the treatment of Tinea Capitis

Some forms of scarring alopecia are caused by fungal infections and can take on very severe forms. Generally, oral antifungals are used along with antifungal shampoos such as ciclopirox.

Here is an example of cicatricial alopecia of the Tinea Capitis type :

Antifungal medications such as griseofulvin or terbinafine are considered the best treatments for this type of alopecia. However, in some cases where infections are resistant, other antifungals may be used.

In our case, tea tree essential oil serves as an antifungal, a fact substantiated by numerous studies. Although these studies may not specifically address hair loss, the fungi it combats are also implicated in Tinea Capitis, a form of scarring alopecia.

Therefore, the presumption is that if tea tree oil can effectively address Tinea infections on the body, it may similarly treat those manifesting on the scalp.

Here are some studies.

• 2002, Satchell et al : researchers conducted a study to assess the efficacy of 25% and 50% tea tree oil in addressing foot fungus (tinea pedis) induced by dermatophytes. The findings revealed that participants in the 50% tea tree oil group exhibited a noteworthy improvement of 68%, while those in the 25% group showed a similar improvement of 72%, in stark contrast to the 39% improvement observed in the placebo group. Furthermore, the mycological cure rate, denoting the elimination of the fungus, was notably higher in the 50% tea tree oil group at 64%, surpassing the modest 31% observed in the placebo group.
• 2002, Cassella et al : researchers conducted a study revealing that the synergistic blend of tea tree and lavender essential oils demonstrated greater efficacy in eliminating specific Trichophyton infections compared to using tea tree or lavender oils individually.
• 2015, Pokharel et al : In this study, researchers compared tea tree oil 50% cream and clotrimazole 1% cream for treating fungal skin infections in 60 patients. Both groups applied their cream twice a day for 4 weeks. The results indicated no significant differences in effectiveness and safety between the two creams. Therefore, the conclusion is that tea tree oil 50% cream is as safe and effective as clotrimazole 1% cream for treating these fungal skin infections.
• 2021, Roana et al : In this study, researchers tested a specific type of Tea tree essential oil and found that it not only had antifungal properties against Trichophyton rubrum but also worked synergistically with ketoconazole and itraconazole. This means that the combination of TTO with these drugs could enhance their effectiveness, potentially allowing for lower drug doses and fewer side effects in treating skin fungal infections.

Tea tree essential oil can treat seborrheic dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin condition that causes flaky, dry, white to yellowish scales on oily areas of the skin. It commonly affects the scalp, causing red, itchy, and greasy flaking that can lead to seborrheic alopecia – a form of hair loss due to inflammation from seborrheic dermatitis.

The prevailing theory posits that seborrheic dermatitis springs from an inflammatory response to the overproduction of Malassezia family fungus.

To date, we have several studies demonstrating that tea tree essential oil can serve as an effective treatment for seborrheic dermatitis.

2014 study : tea tree essential oil on facial seborrheic dermatitis

In a study from 2014, researchers wanted to see if 5% tea tree oil (TTO) gel is effective in treating mild to moderate facial seborrheic dermatitis. They randomly assigned 54 patients to use either the TTO gel or a placebo for 4 weeks.

After the treatment, they found significant improvements in redness, scaling, itching, and greasy crusts in the TTO group compared to the placebo group. No allergic side effects were observed.

The researchers concluded that 5% TTO gel is effective in treating mild to moderate facial seborrheic dermatitis.

2002 study : effects of 5% tea tree oil shampoo on dandruff

In a study, researchers investigated the effectiveness of 5% tea tree oil shampoo in treating dandruff, which is linked to yeasts like Pityrosporum ovale and Malassezia furfur.

They conducted a 4-week study with 126 participants using either the tea tree oil shampoo or a placebo.

The results showed that the tea tree oil group had a 41% improvement in dandruff compared to 11% in the placebo group. Other aspects like itchiness and greasiness also improved significantly.

Closing thoughts and verdict

I believe you can regard tea tree essential oil as a natural and accessible option against seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff and seborrheic alopecia) and fungal infections, especially in the case of Tinea capitis.

You can also incorporate it into your oil blend for androgenetic alopecia and even combine it with lavender essential oil for enhanced effectiveness.

Precautions & side effects

Side Effects

• Skin irritation – May cause redness, itching, burning, stinging
• Allergic reactions – Some people may develop contact dermatitis or hives
• Hormonal effects – Tea tree oil can mimic estrogen in the body which may disrupt hormones

Precautions

• Dilute before use – Only use a few drops diluted in a carrier oil to minimize risk of irritation
• Do a patch test – Apply a diluted amount to a small area of skin first to check for allergic reaction
• Avoid ingesting – Swallowing tea tree oil may cause serious side effects like confusion, hallucinations, drowsiness
• Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes
• Check for interactions – Tea tree oil may interact with medications like blood thinners, sedatives, birth control pills
• Talk to your doctor – Consult your physician before using if pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or with medical conditions