How Often Should I Massage My Scalp? (4 Easy Ways)
Scalp massage can help stimulate hair follicles, promote hair growth and add volume. But how long do you actually need to massage your scalp to see results? We've got the answer.
To increase hair growth and thickness, it's best to massage your scalp at least twice a day, for about five minutes each time. This will increase blood flow to the hair follicles and is also great for relaxation and stress reduction!
Why is scalp massage important?
There's no denying it - a healthier scalp equals healthier hair. Regularly massaging your scalp will improve scalp health by removing dead skin flakes and oil buildup. It may even help your hair grow faster and thicker.
Better scalp health is a fertile foundation for healthy hair growth. A healthy scalp grows longer, stronger hair, which reduces hair loss.
Does scalp massage stimulate hair growth?
Several recent scientific studies have shown that scalp massage may help stimulate hair growth, resulting in thicker hair and less hair loss.
For best results, it is best to perform a scalp massage at least twice a day for 5 minutes each time.
Benefits of scalp massage
In addition to the potential to increase hair growth and thickness, other benefits of scalp massage include
Reduces stress levels
Let's face it: any kind of massage is relaxing. Giving yourself a 5-minute or so scalp massage every evening can help relax your mind and body after a busy day. It can become a daily habit to help you relax.
Improve the quality of your sleep
The relaxing nature of a scalp massage means you will find yourself sleeping better. Any kind of relaxing ritual has the potential to make you sleep better (especially if you use calming oils in your daily routine).
Helps remove product buildup and dandruff
This applies to your scalp massage in the shower. Massaging your scalp while washing helps to remove dead flakes and product build-up, leaving a healthier scalp. A healthier scalp in turn grows longer, stronger hair.
How often should I massage my scalp?
There are no hard and fast rules about how long a scalp massage should last. It depends on your reason for doing so. The general rule is that a scalp massage should last between one minute and five minutes.
If you massage your scalp while washing your hair, a minute or two is enough to remove product build-up at the roots, which will help promote a healthier scalp.
If you do a scalp massage on dry hair, you can do a five-minute scalp massage. This is great for relaxing at night before bed, and it's also great if you want to promote hair growth.
No matter how long you perform a scalp massage, always use light to medium pressure and do not press hard. Also, do not use your fingernails, but rather use the pads of your fingers, as you do not want to damage your scalp.
It depends on your personal preferences
It is safe to massage your scalp daily if you wish, but if this seems impractical, then every other day is fine. It depends on your personal preferences and daily routine.
If you want to improve hair growth or thickness, you may find that scalp massage twice a day for about five minutes each time will produce the best results.
You can massage your scalp while washing your hair daily to effectively remove oil and product buildup.
If you just want to massage your scalp to relax, then you can do it anytime, anywhere!
How Essential Oils Can Help
Essential oils can enhance your scalp massage routine. When massaging your scalp while washing your hair, you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to your shampoo.
Or, you can dilute your choice of essential oil with a carrier oil to give your hair and scalp hot oil treatment.
Oils such as lavender, rosemary and peppermint can help promote hair growth (if that is a goal) and/or will just give you a more relaxing scalp massage.
Always mix essential oils with a carrier oil first to avoid irritating your skin.
Also, make sure to patch test the oil before using it on your scalp to make sure you don't have allergies.
4 Ways to Massage Your Scalp
There are several options for scalp massage, depending on your situation and hair goals. Find the technique that works best for you.
Traditional
The traditional way to give yourself a scalp massage is to massage your fingertips into dry hair. This is a popular technique to stimulate hair growth or just to relax and unwind.
1. To give yourself a fingertip scalp massage, simply rub your fingertips in circular motions on your scalp. Do not use your fingernails, as this can scratch and damage the scalp.
2. Repeat this process on the entire scalp, using light to medium pressure. Do not knead too hard as this can damage the hair and scalp, or even pull out hair and cause hooking.
If you are using this technique to promote faster hair growth, do it at least twice a day for about five minutes each time.
If you have free time, you can ask someone else to help you or visit a licensed massage therapist.
When you wash your hair
Another great way to do a scalp massage, and one that is easy to incorporate into your daily routine, is to massage your scalp while washing your hair.
This is a great way to effectively cleanse your scalp and remove product buildup while stimulating hair growth at the follicles.
1. When shampooing, rub your scalp in a circular motion, making sure to cover your entire head. Do not rub too hard. Do this for about two minutes or so for best results.
2. Then rinse your shampoo and leave it in its normal state.
Hot oil treatment
Use essential oils as part of a scalp massage to make it more luxurious. Why not light some candles and put on relaxing music to set the mood?
Adding certain oils can help make the experience more relaxing and you can benefit from the unique properties of the oils used.
Some popular essential oils that can be used in a scalp massage include.
● Lavender
● Peppermint
● Rosemary
● Rose
● Tea tree
Keep in mind that these oils should not be applied directly, as they can irritate the skin.
Instead, they should be diluted with a carrier oil of your choice. Popular carrier oils include.
● Coconut
● Jojoba
● Sunflower
● Castor
Always patch test with your oil of choice first to ensure you have no allergies.
You may repeat the hot oil treatment once or twice a week, but no more often than this, as this will attract dirt and make your hair greasier, which can lead to scalp buildup.
1. Use the hot oil method when massaging the scalp by heating the mixture and applying it to the roots (make sure it's not too hot!) .
2. Gently massage the oil into the scalp in a circular motion, making sure to cover the entire head.
3. Massage the scalp for about five minutes. You can then work your way through the lengths and ends of your hair. 4.
4. Leave on for 20 minutes, then wash off with shampoo.
Inversion Method
You can turn your head upside down while massaging the scalp to increase blood flow to the area.
While this method has not been scientifically proven, anecdotal evidence suggests that it may help promote hair growth due to the extra blood flow to the hair follicles.
Do not do this for more than a few minutes, as head-down can cause dizziness and back and neck strain.
In addition, the inversion method is not recommended if you are pregnant or have any of the following conditions.
● Heart disease
● High blood pressure
● Vertigo
● Retinal detachment
● Ear infections
● Back pain or spinal cord injury
How long will it take for me to see results?
If you are massaging your scalp in hopes of accelerating hair growth and thickening your hair, please be patient.
Even if you massage your scalp at least twice a day for 5 minutes each time, it may take a few months to see results.
The good news is that massaging your scalp will immediately relax you and, if done in the shower, will alleviate problems associated with product buildup, such as an itchy or greasy scalp.
Is a scalp massager necessary?
A scalp massager is a synthetic, brush-like device that you can use to massage your scalp instead of your fingers.
You can get scalp massagers designed for dry hair (like those antenna-style) as well as scalp massagers for the shower.
Shower scalp massagers are becoming very popular because they exfoliate and stimulate the scalp during shampooing, removing excess oil and product buildup.
However, there is no consensus on whether scalp massagers are really better than using your fingertips. It all comes down to personal preference.
Scalp massagers do feel great, so if this is your personal preference, go ahead and buy one.
When choosing one, make sure you choose a type that is gentle enough to avoid causing any damage to your scalp.
