Dandruff is characterized by a dry, itchy and flaky scalp. Although it is usually not a sign of a serious medical problem, it can be bothersome and embarrassing. According to a 2002 study by the Department of Dermatology at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Australia, dandruff can be treated with tea tree oil. The study resulted in 41 percent of patients experiencing a relief in itchiness and severity of dandruff after using a shampoo with 5 percent tea tree oil. The exact cause of dandruff is not known, but it may be caused by an overproduction of the fungus Pityrosporum ovale, which tea tree oil treats.
Step 1
Choose a tea tree oil shampoo. Look for a shampoo that contains 5 percent tea tree oil. These shampoos typically specify that they are for the treatment of dandruff.
Step 2
Wash your hair with the shampoo once a day. If you find that your hair is greasy after everyday use, you can use the shampoo every other day and use a gentle clarifying shampoo on the other days.
Step 3
Rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water.
Step 4
Apply tea tree oil directly to your scalp. You can find the oil at health food stores. Cover your head with a towel or shower cap and rinse the oil out after 30 minutes.
Tips and Warnings
- Other dandruff remedies include prescription-strength ointments and medicated shampoos that contain ingredients such as pyrithione zinc and salicylic acid. Test a small amount of tea tree oil on your skin before using it for dandruff to be sure you are not allergic to it. You can also use tea tree oil to treat acne, thrush, toenail infections and athlete's foot.
- Do not ingest tea tree oil; it can be toxic. Be careful around the eyes, nose and mouth as well to prevent burns.
Things You'll Need
- Tea tree oil shampoo
- Tea tree oil
- Towel
- Shower cap
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