Does Tea Tree Oil For Acne Really Work?

Acne is a condition which most of us have suffered from at one point or the other in our lives. Applying everything we can lay our hands on from medicated ointments to home remedies, our one main concern is usually to remove all traces of acne immediately. Tea tree oil is one of those remedies that nature has provided us with to help reduce the manifestations of acne. Like all of nature's product, this substance is a slow worker, taking up to 3 months to clear acne, which it seems is its main drawback.

What exactly is tea tree oil?

Even today aborigines in Australia use the crushed leaves of the tea tree plant, Melaleuca alternifolia as an antiseptic to help wounds stay clean, to heal cuts and bruises. Tea tree oil was used at one point to brew tea, which is why it was called tea tree in the first place, is also commonly called Melaleuca oil in Australia. The oil from the leaves are extracted by steam distillation, after which it is bottled and sold.

How does tea tree oil for acne work?

Tea tree oil contains a substance called Terpinen-4 which is a strong antiseptic against bacterial, viral as well as fungal infections on the skin. Tea tree oil simply works by preventing the growth of acne causing bacteria such as Propionibacterium. Applying it every day over a 3 month period prevents acne from appearing.

How do you apply tea tree oil?

Concentrated tea tree oil is actually bad for you. 5% of tea tree oil concentrate diluted in water is all you need to help reduce acne. If the tea tree oil concentrate you have is pure, dilute one part of tea tree oil with 20 parts of water and then apply it on your face using clean hands. Some people do blend Aloe Vera gel with tea tree oil and apply it like a face pack.

What are the symptoms of acne that tea tree oil helps with?

Although this product is slow to work, it provides results in the long run. It reduces the incidences of both open acne as well as the closed acne types. It visibly also reduces the scars caused by acne, making it a good product to solve acne issues in the long run.

Adverse effects of Tea tree oil

Like all products, tea tree oil does have its adverse effects. First of all, tea tree oil must never be used undiluted as it can cause severe irritation on the skin. It should also never be ingested as it could lead to serious repercussions such as breakdown of the nervous system, so it is best that you keep it out of reach, away from children and pets. A particular study has shown that tea tree oil can even alter hormonal levels.

In case of adverse effects it is best to consult with your doctor, better still check with him before you start using tea tree oil for acne, for your doctor may be able to recommend a good brand for you.

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