Scalp Massage For Hair Growth [UK] 2023: Benefits & How It Works
Updated on
- Written by Healthcanal Staff
Medically reviewed by
Kathy Shattler, MS, RDN
Most of us know numerous hair products that claim to boost hair growth. While shampoos, conditioners, and essential oils for hair offer many benefits, what are some alternatives?
Massaging your scalp for hair growth is one alternative method, but does it work? Keep reading and find out if and how scalp massages stimulate hair growth.
Can Scalp Massage Promote Hair Growth?
Scalp massages have been shown to promote hair growth. When you massage your scalp regularly, it increases healthy blood flow, which leads to increased hair thickness and reduced hair loss.
What Is A Scalp Massage?
A scalp massage, also called a head massage, stimulates the scalp by rubbing and applying gentle pressure. The amount of pressure applied for a scalp massage will vary based on individual preferences. Scalp massages can be done with fingertips or a scalp massager.
You can complete a scalp massage on yourself, or someone else can give you one. It is not necessary to be a trained professional to give a scalp massage. However, you could see a licensed massage therapist for scalp massage if you prefer.
How Can A Scalp Massage Help Your Hair Grow?
Having healthy hair growth is a popular desire. Fortunately, there is evidence that scalp massages promote hair growth and scalp health.
A 2016 research study found receiving a four-minute scalp massage using a scalp massager every day for 24 weeks led to increased hair thickness.[1] The thickness increased because there was an increase in hair cycle-related genes and a decrease in hair loss-related genes.
These findings were repeated in a 2019 study among individuals with baldness. Standardized scalp massages using a scalp massager device for 11 to 20 minutes daily led to hair loss stabilization, and regrowth.
A 2020 study reported five minutes of mechanical scalp stimulation through combing led to increased blood circulation[2] in the scalp. Research has shown that increased blood flow and direct stimulation of hair follicles stimulate hair growth.[3]
So, does scalp massage help hair growth? Yes, regular scalp massages do help hair growth, decrease thinning hair, and increase hair thickness. These findings indicate improved scalp health and blood circulation resulting in healthy hair growth.
Benefits Of Scalp Massages
In addition to head massages promoting a healthy scalp and thicker hair, these massages have also been shown to improve mood.
A 2016 study found receiving a scalp massage for 15 or 25 minutes each day for ten weeks was associated with improved stress hormones,[4] blood pressure, and heart rate. The researchers concluded scalp massages could be used as a method for stress control.
Another 2016 study found similar results. It was concluded that receiving a seven-minute head massage treatment with at least one-week intervals leads to decreased feelings of anxiety,[5] depression, and boredom. Participants were also reported to feel more refreshed and lively.
How To Massage Your Scalp For Hair Growth
Regular scalp massages have been shown to help hair growth, whether you use a traditional scalp massage or scalp massagers.
Simply apply gentle pressure with your fingertips on your scalp and make small circular motions. Start at the front of your scalp and work back.
If you prefer, you may use a scalp massage device instead of your fingertips.
You could even have someone give you a scalp massage for you or even see a licensed massage therapist. While seeing a massage therapist could result in a better massage, as they are trained professionals, there will, of course, be a fee associated with the service.
Some people will have medical insurance coverage, so it’s a good idea to look into this for your coverage.
How Long Should You Massage Your Scalp For Hair Growth?
As evidenced by the above research, an effective scalp massage can be less than five minutes or more than 20 minutes. The length of the massage is based on your personal preference.
When Should You Massage Your Scalp?
Adding a scalp massage step into your hair care routine can be easy. If you are often rushed and find it hard to find time to relax, you can always give yourself a scalp massage while shampooing or conditioning your hair in the shower.
Alternatively, you could give yourself a scalp massage when applying hair oils or a hair mask.
You could even try giving yourself a scalp massage right before bed to relieve scalp tension; this could help reduce stress and anxiety, which may make it easier for you to fall asleep.
However, some people have reported feeling more lively after having a scalp massage. So, if that is the case for you, it would be best not to have one before bed. Perhaps you would benefit more from giving yourself a scalp massage in the morning.
Keep track of your hair growth from scalp massage before and after by taking a picture of your hair when you first start so you can compare progress.
Other Ways To Promote Hair Growth And Thickness
While head massages are a simple way to stimulate hair growth, there are other methods you can try out.
Vitamins And Minerals
Consuming adequate amounts of nutrients is essential for your overall health, and it even impacts your hair health. A 2019 review summarized the impact of vitamins and minerals[6] on healthy hair growth.
Individuals with alopecia areata, a disease where the immune system attacks hair follicles, causing hair loss, can benefit from vitamin D supplements if they have low levels.
Some micronutrient deficiencies that lead to loss of hair are riboflavin, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12. While there are many popular hair-enhancing supplements, such as a biotin supplement supplementation among individuals who are not deficient will not promote hair growth.
Too much of any supplement, especially fat-soluble ones, can also be bad. For example, too much vitamin A and selenium can contribute to losing hair.
Also, iron, vitamin D, vitamin B12, and selenium deficiencies have all been associated with childhood and early adulthood greying.
Overall eating a balanced diet and taking supplements where indicated to avoid deficiencies will help keep your hair healthy, can prevent hair loss, and even prevent premature greying.
Scalp Health
Maintaining a healthy scalp is key to healthy hair growth.
Organisms that live on our heads, such as yeast, can cause oxidative damage resulting in hair loss. Hair care products with zinc pyrithione[7] can treat your scalp and reduce hair loss.
Zinc pyrithione shampoo can also treat dandruff,[8] which has also been shown to cause oxidative stress leading to hair loss.
Using essential oil, such as eucalyptus oil[9] and tea tree oil,[10] have also been shown to improve dandruff.
Hair Loss Treatment
While there are many hair treatment products out there, only oral finasteride, topical minoxidil, and low-level laser therapy are approved by the Food and Drug Act for hair loss treatment[11] for balding.
Hair loss is a complex issue. If you have serious concerns about balding, you should consider talking to a medical professional to determine which hair treatment path is right for you, as many underlying conditions cause hair loss.
Alternative therapies will likely work best in conjunction with one of these treatments.
The Bottom Line
Regular scalp massages are a simple way to enhance hair growth. While it is not a magical cure for baldness, there is evidence can it can reduce hair loss and increase hair thickness.
This is a straightforward step to add to any hair care routine and has even been shown to enhance feelings of relaxation and reduce stress and anxiety.
+ 11 sources
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- Koyama, T., Kobayashi, K., Hama, T., Murakami, K. and Ogawa, R. (2016). Standardized Scalp Massage Results in Increased Hair Thickness by Inducing Stretching Forces to Dermal Papilla Cells in the Subcutaneous Tissue. Eplasty, [online] 16, p.e8. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4740347/.
- Tan, Y., He, F., Zhang, C., Zhang, J., Chen, Z.-W., Wang, X., Wei, P., Nan, Y., Louis Lei Jin and Hua, Q. (2020). Mechanical stimulation of the scalp improves the extra- and intracranial blood circulation in humans and mice. [online] 7(4), pp.366–374. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcms.2020.10.001.
- Natarelli, N., Nimrit Gahoonia and Sivamani, R.K. (2023). Integrative and Mechanistic Approach to the Hair Growth Cycle and Hair Loss. [online] 12(3), pp.893–893. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12030893.
- In Young Kim, Kim, T. and Young Guk Ko (2016). The effect of a scalp massage on stress hormone, blood pressure, and heart rate of healthy female. [online] 28(10), pp.2703–2707. doi:https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.28.2703.
- Murota, M., Iwawaki, Y., Kazuo Uebaba, Yamamoto, Y., Yukie Takishita, Harada, K., Shibata, A., Narumoto, J. and Fukui, K. (2016). Physical and Psychological Effects of Head Treatment in the Supine Position Using Specialized Ayurveda-Based Techniques. [online] 22(7), pp.526–532. doi:https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2015.0388.
- Almohanna, H.M., Ahmed, A., Tsatalis, J.P. and Tosti, A. (2019). The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review. [online] 9(1), pp.51–70. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-018-0278-6.
- Trüeb, R.M., Henry, J., Davis, M. and Schwartz, J.T. (2018). Scalp condition impacts hair growth and retention via oxidative stress. [online] 10(6), pp.262–262. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/ijt.ijt_57_18.
- Schwartz, J.R., Henry, J.P., Kerr, K.M., Mizoguchi, H. and Li, L. (2015). The role of oxidative damage in poor scalp health: ramifications to causality and associated hair growth. [online] 37, pp.9–15. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/ics.12289.
- Rukaiya Shirohiwala, Upadhyay, S. and Upadhyay, U. (2022). Alopecia Therapy: A systemic review on herbal oils used for the treatment of hair loss. [online] ResearchGate. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/368344139_Alopecia_Therapy_A_systemic_review_on_herbal_oils_used_for_the_treatment_of_hair_loss.
- Nader Pazyar, Reza Yaghoobi, Nooshin Bagherani and Afshin Kazerouni (2013). A review of applications of tea tree oil in dermatology. [online] 52(7), pp.784–790. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-4632.2012.05654.x.
- Nestor, M.S., Ablon, G., Gade, A., Han, H. and Fischer, D.A. (2021). Treatment options for androgenetic alopecia: Efficacy, side effects, compliance, financial considerations, and ethics. [online] 20(12), pp.3759–3781. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.14537.
Written by:
Healthcanal Staff
Medically reviewed by:
Medically reviewed by:
