Many beard oils and other products have been made to help people with no or patchy beard. Speaking of Oils, Tea Tree Oil for beard is said to be significant enough to help people have a beard of their dreams. Nowadays, almost every man considers to grow a thick, well-groomed and nourished beard, especially when No Shave November rolls around the corner every year.
Growing a beard is not just about not shaving. You cannot grow a beard simply by letting your facial hair grow out randomly and expect it to be a turning point for the beard. Conscious efforts and caring is needed for a perfect and successful beard along with knowledge that is crucially required.
Men growing a beard are not completely identical to each other. It depends on different factors that affect each and every male individual. The suggestions and advices given out in this article to grow a better looking and healthy beard are somewhat universal.
What exactly is Tea Tree Oil?
We are familiar with the term “Essential Oils” but most of us are not aware of what they actually are or do. People use various products that include essential oils as an ingredient without understanding the side effects over benefits. They have an idea of it having benefits merely because its name has the word “essential” in it and also by looking up to their favourite celebrities promoting them.
Tea Tree Oil, an essential oil, extracted from the leaves, twigs and branches of the Tea Tree (also known as Melaleuca Alternifolia) through the method of steam distillation is natively found in Australia. In the past recent decades, its popularity has grown in the other regions of the world too. It is one of the main ingredients in a beard oil.
Does Tea Tree Oil have benefits?
Essential oils do have benefits although if a person uses them above the specified regulated amount, it would only end up causing side effects. Tea tree oil for beard can be beneficial when it is used as directed. Many benefits have been scientifically backed and a few of them are discussed ahead.
- The oil has germ-combative properties because of which it prevents bacterial/ fungal infections and boosts the healing mechanism of the skin.
- Tea Tree Oil for beard keeps the hair follicles and skin pores clean and free of blockage, which prevents infections that impede hair growth. However, it does not increase the rate of beard growth
- Tea tree oil for beard helps in fighting against acne. A regulated amount of tea tree oil can be used to treat acne as it has a chemical compound which is found to be effective.
- Tea tree oil helps in moisturizing the skin under your beard and prevents dry, peeling skin. It also moisturizes the hair itself, keeping it soft and smooth.
- Scientific study shows that tea tree oil for beard may be significantly effective against beardruff (beard dandruff) by reducing itchiness, seriousness and greasiness. Add 2-3 drops of tea tree oil into a dollop of shampoo when washing your hair.
Tips and Cautions for using Tea Tree Oil for Beard
Tea tree oil appears to be safe. However, there are some things that we are needed to be aware of before using essential oil products.
- Essential oils should not be used in undiluted form. Add a few drops of your desired essential oil into a carrier oil such as almond oil, coconut oil or olive oil.
- Diluting essential oils is used to ensure the critical safety which is required when using essential oils.
- Tea tree oil should not be ingested because it may be toxic if swallowed. Therefore, it should be kept out of reach of children.
- Before using tea tree oil for beard, test a drop or two on a small area of your skin and wait 24 hours to see if any reaction occurs. If any symptoms are seen, get it treated as soon as possible.
- Tea tree oil for beard should not be used daily. It degrades the stimulation of an androgenic hormone and increases the stimulation of estrogen.
Risks associated with Tea Tree Oil for Beard
Almost all products that aim towards improving the growth of beard hair such as shampoos, oils, balms and conditioners have a small amount of tea tree oil along with some other essential oils in their list of ingredients. But, surprisingly there is no scientific evidence that shows that these oils may contribute to the enhancement of beard hair growth.
Evidence shows that chemicals found in tea tree oil and lavender oil are hormone disrupters. Some studies show that using tea tree oil for beard results in estrogenic effects in boys. That is, long term exposure to these oils increases the level of estrogen in the bodies lead to breast development in men. However, the bodies return to normal condition after the use of these oils are stopped.
Recent studies have further proven that tea tree oil is anti-androgenic, that is, it prevents the production of hormones that contribute to male characteristics. Compounds in the essential oils may promote breast growth by enhancing estrogen activity while inhibiting androgen activity.
Side Effects of Tea Tree Oil for Beard
Many people think that because essential oils are natural products, they will not cause any side effects, but that’s not true. The potential side effects of essential oils include:
Irritation and Burning
Tea tree oil for beard should be first diluted with a carrier oil. This is because they are concentrated, and using them undiluted causes skin irritation, a strong burning sensation, itching, redness and in some cases, skin dryness.
Asthma Attacks
Essential oils may be safe for inhalation for most people, but it could pose a threat for people suffering from asthma.
Headaches
Inhaling essential oils may help some people with their headaches, but inhaling too much may lead to a headache in others as they have a particularly strong scent.
Toxicity
Essential oils, if swallowed, may prove to be lethal. Ingesting a small amount of it may cause confusion, decreased consciousness, and may alter muscle movement. If consumed in a large amount, it may even cause death. It is also extremely fatal for pets. Thus, it is important to keep these oils away from children and pets. Getting essential oils into the eyes or mucous membranes may also cause burning and damage in the area. If essential oils come into contact with the eyes, rinse them thoroughly with water and contact a doctor.
Factors that actually affect beard growth
Tea tree oil for beard does not help in increasing the rate of hair growth. Genetics plays a huge factor in determining how your beard hair will grow in length, thickness and color. For example, if your father has thick hair, you may inherit the genes responsible for thickness of hair. However, it is also possible for you to inherit genes from your maternal great grandparents, who had thin hair.
Every person is different as they have different inherited genes that affect the way their hair grows. Health and lifestyle habits can also play a part. Facial hair growth is largely influenced by testosterone, a hormone. Testosterone levels may vary from one individual to another. For men between 19 and 38, the normal range is 264 to 916 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). Men having low levels of testosterone may take supplements under a doctor’s supervision to increase their beard growth. However, supplements may not work on those who have normal levels of the hormone.
There is evidence showing that the rate at which your beard grows, is determined by the amount of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) produced in your body.Thus, the rate at which your beard will grow in, as well as its fullness, is largely determined by genetics. The amount of testosterone and DHT also play an important part.
Following a healthy diet may help. The reason why some men may be unable to grow a beard might be due to the fact that they lack the nutrients required for hair growth. There is scientific evidence that some exercises temporarily boost testosterone in some men which may help your beard to be healthier, too. Getting enough sleep is mandatory as testosterone production peaks during the first REM cycle of the night. Maintaining good hygiene and taking supplements for beard growth may also help. However, there is no specific regimen that has been scientifically proven to thicken beard hair.
Bottom Line
The popularity of using Tea Tree Oil for beard has been up for the past few years. Although, it has numerous benefits, it is still recommended to use it within regulated amount. So, the conclusion is that tea tree oil for beard does not enhance the hair growth but helps you in maintaining a well groomed beard. When it comes to growing a beard, be realistic.