You’ve probably heard or read about tea tree oil listed as one of the ingredients in certain anti-fungal products or grooming kits. However, due to its less popularity, not everyone knows what it is and why it’s sometimes recommended, especially for men. For starters, tea tree oil is a type of essential oil filtered from the leaves of Melaleuca Alternifolia, a native plant from Australia. Tea tree oil has already been popularly used as traditional medicine by Australians for many years.
At present, tea tree oil is now one of the main ingredients when producing skin care products, body lotions, hand sanitizers, or nail care products. This is due to their germ-fighting properties, making this essential oil an essential solution for relieving fungal or bacterial skin conditions, promoting healing, and preventing infection.
But, how is tea tree oil related and helpful for men’s health? For your guide, here are four things you should know more about tea tree oil and its impact on men.
- Tea Tree Oil Soothes Skin Inflammation
Skin inflammation can be common for men who are constantly exposed to the heat of the sun. Other causes of skin inflammation may also be due to an allergic reaction to cosmetic products or perfumes, bacterial infection, or genetics. You may utilize tea tree oil to soothe skin inflammation and reduce its symptoms, including redness, itching, and swelling. It’s important to remember never to apply 100% tea tree oil directly to your skin. Otherwise, it can further irritate your skin rather than relieve it. As much as possible, dilute it with aloe vera gel, or you may use your usual sanitizer.
However, another skin condition most men often mistake for skin inflammation is pearly penile papules. For starters, pearly penile papules (PPP) are those small bumps that grow near or around the penis head. They may appear as white, pink, or yellow. Though they may look alarming, pearly penile papules are harmless and noncontagious and will likely fade as you age. But because of their unusual appearance, men and even women would automatically assume that PPP is skin inflammation or, worse, a sexually transmitted infection.
Thus, you may have heard rumors that applying tea tree oil to PPP can help remove and dissolve them. To debunk this myth, tea tree oil cannot remove PPP. Instead, it’ll only dry the penis skin and possibly cause itching. Worse, using tea tree oil can cause scars on your penis and lead to loss of sensation. The only way you can remove PPP is if you undergo laser surgery done by a healthcare professional or if you use a PPP kit with an electric ionizer.
- Tea Tree Oil May Relieve Toe Fungus And Athlete’s Foot
Toe fungus, or nail fungus, can be a common nail infection, experienced mainly by men who constantly wear sneakers and closed shoes that cause their feet to sweat heavily. If the fungus infects your foot’s skin or between the infected toes, it’s called athlete’s foot. When these are left untreated, you’ll experience smelly feet, and your toenails will begin to thicken, discolor, and separate from the nail bed.
Tea tree oil can be utilized to relieve toe fungus and athlete’s foot. Clean the infected toe or foot first with soap and water. Then, apply 10% to 30% tea tree oil to the affected area. Use a clean toothbrush to scrub the oil gently on your nails to ensure its healing and germ-fighting properties can reach deep into your nails.
It is better to repeat the application process twice daily until you see results. Otherwise, you’ll need to see a doctor if this home remedy doesn’t relieve the infection or you’re starting to experience difficulty walking.
- Tea Tree Oil Soothes Cuts And Scabs
Did you cut yourself while shaving your beard and end up with tiny cuts or scabs? When left untreated, the razor burn, cuts, and scrapes from shaving could become infected with bacteria, further slowing down the healing process and making your skin more sensitive and prone to irritation and inflammation. Tea tree oil’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties may help soothe minor cuts, scrapes, and scabs you got from shaving.
Just get one drop of tea tree oil and dilute it with a mixture of carrier oils. Then, directly apply it to the scrape or cut. You may also use aloe vera to smoothen and rehydrate the freshly shaved area. If you experience redness or irritation, stop applying immediately, as some people may be naturally allergic or sensitive to tea tree oil.
- Tea Tree Oil May Help Control Oily Skin
Since men have more pores (also larger) and more active sebaceous glands than women, they also tend to have oilier skin than women. Oily skin can happen when your sebaceous glands become overactive and create too much sebum, a natural oily substance. When the excess sebum combines with your skin’s dead cells, this will clog your pores and eventually lead to acne and breakouts.
Using tea tree oil may help regulate and control your oily skin. It may also help remove dead skin cells and keep your pores clean and free from clogs and bacteria. When including tea tree oil in your skincare routine, get a drop of tea tree oil and mix it with 12 drops of carrier oil. Then, use cotton balls to dab it onto your skin.
Key Takeaway
Tea tree oil can benefit men for several reasons and can be a reliable natural alternative for relieving skin inflammation and other minor skin issues. Nonetheless, remember that tea tree oil is not clinically considered a cure or medicine, and some may experience allergic reactions to it. So, consult your doctor or dermatologist before exploring this alternative option.
