The Benefits Of A Daily Scalp Massage
A great massage doesnt have to break the bank and the benefits of massage are undeniable. But did you know you should be giving that same massage treatment to you scalp? It may surprise you all the amazing benefits that come along with a great scalp massage. This is because of the nerves close to the surface of the skin on the scalp. By massaging these nerve endings, they become stimulated which in turn relaxes the nervous system – which is kinda a big deal. A little relaxation should be more than enough to convince you, but if youre still on the fence, heres our top reasons you should be showing that scalp of yours some love.
The Benefits Of A Scalp Massage
A scalp massage doesnt just feel goodit also does good, with the scientific research to prove it. Regular scalp massages give hair a natural growth boost. Most peoples hair grows between half an inch to one inch every month, but when you add regular scalp massages, that can help increase monthly growth.
Thats because a good scalp massage stimulates blood circulation and oxygen to their hair follicle, helping to deliver more nutrients to the root to help bolster hair growth. That makes scalp massages especially beneficial to those with thinning hair or hair loss. In fact, scalp massages can also help hair grow thicker.
According to a study published in the journal Eplasty, after study participants used a scalp massage device for four minutes a day for 24 weeks, the increase of blood flow to their scalp and hair follicles improved the thickness of their hair, signaling that regular scalp massage might also leave locks stronger and shinier.
Just like getting a regular massage, a scalp massage has mental health perks as well. It can help lower blood pressure, heart rate and stress hormone levels, as well as reduce headaches and migraines. Plus, you dont need a study to tell you that its simply relaxing. Thats what makes it an important part of a self-care routine.
Scalp Massages And Hair Growth
Growing new hair or preventing its loss are chief concerns for most of us, and limited research has shown that consistent scalp massages may help.
The condition and appearance of your hair are directly affected by the health of your skin. This is because your strands form in microscopic pocket-like organs called hair follicles situated in the layer of skin called the epidermis.
The majority of growth benefits resulting from regular massages happen in and around your hair follicles. Massaging dilates or enlarges the capillaries in your skin, boosting blood flow to the follicles.
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How Do I Massage My Scalp
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The presence of rosemary and tea tree oils helps fight scalp boils and dandruff, while sesame, almond, jojoba, olive, and wheatgerm oils nourish the hair. So, there are a lot of great ingredients in this product to treat numerous hair concerns!
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Which Scalp Massage Technique Is Right For You
The previous section described the various techniques and tools available for scalp massage. The technique you will eventually settle down on will depend upon your own preference, as well as the tools you have available.
However, the absolute best method for you will be the one that you stick with consistently. For this reason, you can experiment and try different methods. The one you find most easy and relaxing is the one you are likely to practice for the long run.
How To Go About A Head Massage
After learning about all those benefits, we are sure you are itching to know just how to correctly give yourself or another a head massage. Well, your prayers have been answered! Here are the main things you need to know about giving a head massage:
That’s it. Easy as can be. Now that you’ve learned all the amazing benefits of a great scalp massage, give yourself five minutes a day, and give that scalp a little tender love and care. And if you find that the scalp massager is a life saver, like we think you will, pair it with our brand new body scrubbing massage brush to treat your body right as well!
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Can You Increase Blood Flow To The Scalp Without Medication
The best way to increase blood flow to the scalp without medication is through scalp massage. A daily scalp massage increases blood circulation by dilating the very small arteries within the scalp, increasing blood flow, which provides vital oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles and prolonging the growth cycle of hair.
In a clinical study, it was shown that men experiencing early male pattern baldness, subcutaneous blood flow was 2.6 times lower than the values found in normal individuals.A reduced nutritive blood flow to the hair follicles might be a significant event in the pathogenesis of early male pattern baldness.
How Do You Give Yourself A Scalp Massage
At this point, you must be simply begging for instructions. And guess what? It’s not hard: “Use your finger pads to apply medium-firm pressure to your scalp, in a circular motion,” says Cochran Gathers. And honestly you can keep it as simple as that, no fuss.
From there, you can definitely put a few spins on it if you so desire. those with a tight or tense scalp will need a bit heavier hand than those who simply hold less tension in the areaso play with the strength of your fingers, or even invest in a tool like a jade comb. “You can also use a scalp massage device . You can use a scalp massage device while you wash your hair, or out of the shower with your favorite hair oil.”
Speaking of oils, there are worlds to play with here. And since one of the primary reasons to try a scalp massage is hair growth, try amping it up with hair-healthy essential oils. “When massaging your scalp, you can also incorporate essential oils that might help with hair growth, such as cedarwood or rosemary essential oils,” she says. “Always be sure to dilute essential oils though! You can add them to your favorite carrier oil and then apply them to your scalp prior to massage.”
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How Does A Scalp Massage Help Hair Growth
Most of our hair isnt actually alive. Like your nails, the part of your hair that grows is located just underneath the skin: the hair follicles.
Hair follicles act as the root of a single hair strand, which grows by adding more cells and pushing its way up from the skin. We have about 100,000 hair follicles on our scalp, which grow a lot faster compared to the other 5 million hair follicles located all around our body.
Over the course of our lifetime, humans inevitably lose their hair regardless of genetic predisposition. The American Academy of Dermatology says that people lose 50 to 100 strands of hair on average. A scalp massage stretches the cells of your hair follicles so they fill in the remaining space by stimulating their growth. This boosts your hairs growth rate, which gives you thicker hair.
Here are two ways scalp massages can help with hair growth:
The Benefits Of Scalp Massage For Hair Loss
Due to its ability to increase blood flow to the scalp, massage for hair loss holds many potential benefits. Massage for hair loss is the act of rubbing, kneading and applying pressure to the skin of the scalp with the fingers and hands. Of the wide range of benefits scalp massage can provide, perhaps the greatest benefit is considered to be the increased blood flow to the surface of the skin. This is the reason why individuals suffering from hair loss are turning towards massage for help.
Massage for hair loss performed by a trained massage therapist will increase blood flow to the hair follicles, condition the scalp, and enhance the strength of the roots. It will also aid relaxation and reduce feelings of stress. Kneading during a massage warms the skin and opens up the blood vessels, thereby increasing blood flow. Increased blood flow to the hair follicle will result in increased nutrient intake. All hair follicles need an adequate supply of nutrients in order to grow. Rubbing during a massage promotes relaxation and aids in stress reduction. Reduced levels of stress hormones allow the body to function with increased efficiency and this, in turn, enhances the ability of the hair follicles to grow hair.
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Why You Might Need A Scalp Massage
You might need a scalp massage if you are suffering from hair loss, thinning hair, or bald spots. While scientific data has not confirmed that a head massage can effectively promote hair growth, recent studies have shown promising results.
Hair loss is caused by many factors, such as hereditary reasons, age, or an autoimmune disease called androgenic alopecia. In this disease, hair follicles shrink and eventually stop growing. Stress can also be another factor of hair loss or hair thinning, as well as the frequent use of hair products, hair styling treatments, or scalp infection.
What Is The Best Scalp Massager
Alright, so there isn’t exactly any scientific evidence that a scalp massager can make your hair grow, but if you’re still down to try one , you’ll need to keep a few things in mind before you start shopping. A word of caution from Dr. Fusco: Look for scalp massagers that are gentle and have some science behind them .
“The Queenwill Scalp Massager is one of the more popular ones on the market, since it helps relieve tension, boost circulation to the scalp, and improve sleep,” says Dr. Fusco. “I suggest the Maxsoft Scalp Care Brush for people who want to use a scalp massager in the showerit’s a great exfoliator.”
If you’re after a more ~relaxing~ experience, Mahshid Baghaei, colorist at Mizu Louis Licari salon in New York, suggests Homedics Happy Head Massager. “With its vibration feature, you can sit back and take all the stress awayit even relaxes your neck and forehead too,” she says. Another favorite of Baghaei’s? The Zyllion Scalp Massager Dandruff Brush, which she says is “exquisite” if you suffer from dandruff.
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Scalp Massage With Essential Oils
You can also use essential oils with your scalp massage. Animal studies have shown that both peppermint oils may help promote hair growth.
Mix 1 to 2 drops of lavender or peppermint oil with 1 tablespoon of a carrier oil, like jojoba or melted coconut oil. Apply directly to your scalp and then use your fingertips or a scalp massager to gently work the oils into your scalp.
Before applying any essential oil to your scalp, be sure to do a patch test on a small area of your skin first to make sure youre not allergic.
Scalp Massage And Androgenetic Alopecia
In 2019, a pair of researchers from California looked at scalp massage for treating AGA . They wanted to know if scalp massage can reverse hair loss. Another question was if the results are dose-dependent, or if someone will get more regrowth the more they massage.
The researchers collected questionnaires from 327 people with AGA. All of them had used or were still using scalp massages to treat their hair loss. 296 were men and 29 women. All participants massaged using their own hands. They did not have the help of a professional or use any sort of device.
The researchers gathered data on the duration and frequency of the scalp massages. Most people reported massaging between 10-20 minutes a day. The typical participant massaged for 7-8 months overall.
The researchers also asked participants to evaluate their results.
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Should I Massage My Scalp With Oil
You do not need to massage your hair with oil since the scalp produces sebum which is enough to reduce friction when massaging. However, there are Ayurvedic herbs that help with scalp health and hair growth, such as Hairy Basil Root, Amla, Brahmi and Bhringraj. Moreover oils help condition scalp skin and your hair shaft and make for a great pre-shampoo hair oil treatment.
Effect Of Scalp Massage On Human Hair In 9 Healthy Men
Nine healthy Japanese men aged 25 to 46 years participated in the study. The study subjects showed no obvious hair loss. In the study, they received scalp massage using a scalp massage device, Panasonic EH-HM75 , on one side of their temporal scalp every day for 4 minutes at 170 rpm. International 10-20 system for electroencephalography was used to define the area for scalp massage . The symmetrical position on the contralateral side served as a control without any massage treatment. The massage and control sides were chosen randomly for each subject. Total hair number, thickness, and growth speed were measured at 0, 4, 12, and 24 weeks following initiation of massage. The massage area and the control area were clipped prior to measurement of hair count and hair thickness. Three days after clipping, hair length was measured to evaluate the hair growth rate. A folliscope was used for measurement. Each parameter in the massage area and the control area was compared with the initial point. The tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki were followed, and the written informed consent was obtained from the volunteers.
C3 and C4 determined by International 10-20 system for electroencephalography were applied for the massage area and the control area.
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How Often Should You Do A Scalp Massage
Generally speaking, the more often you can give yourself a scalp massage, the better. Make it work for your schedule, whether thats every time you wash your hair in the shower or when youre watching TV. A few minutes every day will deliver magic, but doing it a few times a week still delivers results, too.
Giving yourself a scalp massage does not have to be a big event, you can incorporate it anytime that works best for you.
Benefits Of Scalp Massages
From reducing product buildup and removing dead skin cells to helping stimulate hair growth by promoting blood circulation, a regular scalp massage routine boosts your hair’s natural beauty by supporting the health of your scalp and hair. Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know about scalp massage for hair growth and generally promoting healthy hair. Plus, you’ll find out why scalp massages are so beneficial to your overall health. Optimal scalp care is at your fingertips ! You can use it on its own or to work in hair or scalp serums.
Here are five huge benefits of head massages:
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Soft Silicone Hair Shampoo Brush
For a more pocket-sized alternative, try this round, silicone brush-tipped scalp massager, such as this one from Nearbyme.
With a non-slip cover and ergonomic design, this manual brush is used on wet hair while shampooing or conditioning. Simply massage shampoo through hair as normal before working this little brush over the scalp in small circles. To use with conditioner, first, wash out any leftover shampoo before massaging across the scalp while your conditioning product takes the time to work.
Massage With Essential Oils
Essential oils which are extracted from plants are known to aid in hair growth, regulate sebum production and control dandruff . They have been used for ages to address hair and scalp concerns . You can massage your scalp with essential oils once or twice a week.
Popular essential oils:
- Rose essential oil
How to use essential oils while massaging your head:
- Firstly, set the ambience of your room with candles and soothing music to set your mood for it.
- Mix your essential oil with a carrier oil of your choice .
- Warm the mixture and apply to your scalp using your fingers.
- Gently rub-in the mixture in circular motions.
- Leave on for half an hour to one hour and wash off with shampoo.
Note:
Essential oils can be strong and should always be diluted in a carrier oil. Conduct a patch test before applying to your scalp, if you have sensitive skin.
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