Tea-tree Shampoos

[California Dreamer]

I use the Paul Mitchell Tea-tree shampoo. I've noticed lately that my upper back itches after showering. I seem to recall something about tea-tree having an irritant effect on some people. Is anyone aware of that?

 

[SUPER K]

I like the smell and tingle, but my barber says it is too harsh for daily use.

 

[culverwood]

Tea tree oil was originally used as a disinfectant. If there is any signficant amount of tea tree oil in the shampoo it should not be used daily.

 

[PITAronin]

I used to use the Tea Tree Oil shampoo from Kiehl's. But - for what it's worth - I've switched over to a local small business here in the metro Atlanta area that has a natural mint shampoo that I really love (based on how my hair looks, feels, the lack of supplemental 'sudsers' etc. in their formula.) I have no interest in the company (though I use both their shampoo and a sports/arthritis rub they offer). They're HM Enterprises and the site is hmenterprises.com

 

[Reggs]

Since a reformulation 3 or 4 years ago, the Paul Mitchel shampoo has been extremely harsh. I would not attribute your skin irritation to the tea tree oil alone, if at all.

Everyone is different, but generally most people have more problems with irritation from things like peppermint oil, and menthol, than tea tree oil. experiment with other tea tree grooming products before writing it off all together.

 

[kakemono]

My back starts itching after taking a shower after I get used to the water in my appt and I go home and shower there.... then, when I am used to the water at home and I goto the appt, it takes some getting used to before my back stops itching aftre showering. It has to do with the hardness of the water for me.

I know this doesnt add any light to your problem/question, but when I was using the Paul Mitchell Tea Tree, the only time my back itched was when changing water.

 

[greg_atlanta]

Originally Posted by Reggs

most people have more problems with irritation from things like peppermint oil, and menthol, than tea tree oil.

paul mitchell tea tree shampoo has menthol in it (as i recall), so check the ingredients label. it's the menthol that gives then tingly feeling, not the tea tree.

i saw something in the news a year or two ago about tea trea and lavender oils contributing to breast development in teenage boys. since then i've cut way back on products with either oil.

one fun use for paul mitchell tea tree shampoo: shaving your balls

 

[KBW]

It should not be too harsh...I use it every few days, never had a problem and my scalp usually irritates fairly easily. Use the conditioner every few days and there definitely shouldn't be a problem then. Use lotion if your body itches and that will go away.

 

[groomin]

I've used this product.

I loved it, it makes your scalp feel so fresh when you put it on and lather it.

I've experienced that freshness on my back's skin when the lather dripped there, but it never itched or something like this.

My advice would be that you make sure you really rinse your back thoroughly to completely remove the shampoo that's on it.

Hoping this helps.

 

[TintinATL]

I used to use the Paul Mitchell Tea Tree hair gel - i LOVE the smell and the way it feels - but it gave me a similar reaction and i had to stop. I believe I am allergic to tea tree oil, having had a similar experience with a toothpaste that contained it. So it could be you have the same thing, that it IS the tea tree oil, not the harshness of the shampoo.

 

[Jared]

Originally Posted by greg_atlanta

i saw something in the news a year or two ago about tea trea and lavender oils contributing to breast development in teenage boys. since then i've cut way back on products with either oil.
Yeah, I just heard about this. They're estrogen mimics. As steroids (along with progesterone and testosterone), they're easily absorbed through the skin. And besides upsetting your hormone balance, they probably contribute to cancers.