Benefits & Tips
If you did an (extremely informal and not at all scientific) poll of the people you know, you’d probably find most agree that the best part of a haircut is the scalp massage. It certainly beats trying to converse over the whir of the blow dryer or all the tiny, itchy hairs stuck to your neck.
You might have heard that a scalp massage can stimulate hair growth. If you’re experiencing male pattern baldness, you may be looking for easy solutions to slow hair fallout — and scalp massage almost seems too good to be true.
But does massaging your scalp help your hair grow? And if so, how long should you massage your scalp for hair growth?
Read on to learn more about what scalp massage is and how to do it yourself. We’ll also go over what the scientific research says about its effectiveness on hair growth. (Spoiler alert: Not a whole lot, but there are other scalp massage benefits).
One 2019 study looked at people who got a daily scalp for about 11 to 20 minutes (which is a pretty long time to massage your head, when you think about it) for approximately six months. They found that, on average, reduced hair loss and potential regrowth occurred after 36.3 hours of scalp massage.
However, this study had some significant limitations. For one, there was no control group to separate those using other hair loss treatments like topical finasteride or minoxidil.
It was also a self-reported study, which is problematic because of confirmation bias. This means the people surveyed may have wrongfully thought their hair was thicker because they expected massage to work.
Another two-part study (on just nine men who, weirdly, were not even experiencing hair loss) looked at the effects of four minutes daily of standardized scalp massage using a scalp massage device for 24 weeks.
The results showed an increase in hair thickness, potentially because of a stretched hair follicle, which increases the diameter of each hair, or due to enhanced blood flow to the area. But there was no significant change in hair growth rate.
The first part of the study was done in-vitro on thawed human dermal papilla cells. It showed changes in gene expression from stretching forces, which may play a role in the hair growth cycle.
In-vitro studies have their merits, but it can be hard to draw definitive conclusions because they’re done externally (i.e., not on a living human with a complex set of cells working together).
Other Possible Scalp Massage Benefits
You might have heard a rumor swirling around that a scalp massage is equivalent to one-eighth of an orgasm. Questionable logic aside, a head massage does feel excellent.
We’ve established that not much evidence shows that massaging your head will help you hold onto your hair — but there are other (proven) scalp massage benefits. Take a look below.
Stress Reduction
A 2016 study examined 34 female office workers, some of whom received a 15- or 25-minute daily head and neck massage and others who acted as a control group. (We hereby volunteer to participate in future testing). The study found reduced stress hormones and lowered heart rates in those who got daily massages.
Improved Blood Circulation
That same 2016 study on female office workers also found that massage improved blood circulation because it brings blood flow to the head. The participants also had reduced blood pressure and lowered cortisol levels, which may have helped them relax their back muscles afterward.
Improved Scalp Health
Massaging your scalp can reduce itching and help loosen flaking caused by dandruff, which may be a result of fungus, excess sebum or a dry scalp.
The repeated circular motions loosen dead skin and may help exfoliate the scalp, especially if you use a gritty hair exfoliant while you massage. Plus, when blood flows to the scalp, it delivers nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicle — research shows a loss of blood flow to the scalp is associated with hair loss.
There are several ways to massage your scalp — and it doesn’t necessarily require fancy tools or products. Whether you’re a purist or choose to incorporate oils or scalp massager tools, here’s how to perform an at-home scalp massage.
Traditional Scalp Massage
If you have hands, you can perform a traditional scalp massage, which requires nothing more than your fingers. Here’s how:
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With clean hands, place the fingertips of both hands onto your scalp, overlapping them slightly.
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Apply light to medium pressure, moving your fingertips in small circles.
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Gradually work across the scalp, from your hairline to the nape of your neck.
Scalp Massage With Essential Oils
A scalp massage with essential oils can be especially relaxing, thanks to the spa-like scent. Essential oils are highly concentrated and must be diluted with a carrier oil like jojoba oil, sweet almond or coconut oil so they’re less prone to causing skin irritation.
Mix one to two drops of essential oil with a carrier oil, then apply the mixture directly to your scalp using the above-mentioned technique.
You can use whatever oil you like, though it’s always a good idea to first apply the oil to a small patch of skin like your forearm or the back of your hand to test for any reactions.
If you’re looking for an oil that may help promote hair growth specifically, try lavender or peppermint oil. Though human research is limited, animal studies have shown that both oils encourage hair growth and thickness in mice.
Using oil on your hair will make your hair oily (as you’d probably expect), so you can hop in the shower afterward to rinse off any greasy residue.
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Scalp Massages in the Shower
The shower can be ideal for your scalp massage, especially if you like to zone out under the warm water.
Start by wetting your hair, then apply a small amount of shampoo or conditioner and follow the basic scalp massage method outlined above. Aim for five or so minutes of massage, then rinse well.
Note that wet hair is far more prone to breakage than dry hair. With this in mind, you’ll want to apply less pressure than you would if your hair were dry to avoid breaking or damaging it.
Scalp Massager Tools
Some people prefer to use tools for their head massage. One of the main scalp massager benefits is that you’ll spare your hands from having to do the heavy lifting.
One way to administer an in-shower scalp massage is to use a shampoo brush (which you can also use on dry hair if you want). These brushes are typically designed to fit in the palm of your hair and have thick silicone bristles — the bristles should be firm enough to deliver the desired pressure without causing pain or damaging the scalp.
How to use a scalp massager is easy: Lather it up with shampoo, then make little circles around your scalp using the same amount of pressure.
As a bonus, shampoo brushes may help reduce dandruff and flakes by loosening dead skin cells and product buildup so they can be rinsed away. Aside from feeling good, this is a vital part of a healthy haircare routine, and it may help you go longer between washes.
Though regular scalp massages are easy enough to do with your hands, electric scalp massagers also exist. These usually aren’t too expensive, but there isn’t any significant scientific research suggesting they contribute to healthy hair or reduce hair fallout — and they may take up precious real estate on your bathroom counter. Your call.
Then there are those head-scratchers (you know, the ones that look like jellyfish with a handle). These feel nice and will give you that tingly scalp feeling, but the design doesn’t allow much pressure on the head.
How Often Should I Massage My Scalp for Hair Growth?
Are you still wondering how long you should massage your scalp for hair growth? The answer is basically however long you like.
The times in studies were kind of all over the place, ranging from about four minutes to upwards of 25 minutes. Most studies looked at daily massage, but you should do what works for you.