If you got a scalp massage before, you’re more than well aware of how relaxing the experience is. Although many turn to a scalp massage to ease stress and tension, some people swear by its ability to promote hair growth. Studies continue to look into the matter, with there being some evidence to back up the claim.
However, much of it comes down to what your hair loss is caused by. Thus, in this article, we’ll look at these studies and the evidence related to scalp massages. We’ll go over what a scalp massage is, if it can stimulate hair growth, what happens if you massage it every day, how to do so, and more.
What is a Scalp Massage?
Like any other massage, a scalp massage holds the principle of relaxing and benefitting your body. The key difference is the pressure since a scalp massage is usually gentler than other massage variations. The massage is typically done without oil, but some include oil.
The process utilizes fingertips, moving them up and down in a stress-free pattern. Besides using your fingertips, many scalp massaging devices are available that emulate the pressure of your fingertips. That way, you don’t have to worry about tired hands.
Can a Scalp Massage Stimulate Hair Growth?
The specifics of how a scalp massage benefits hair loss is up for debate. A small 2016 study (specifics listed below) showed that nine men who received a four-minute scalp massage every day for 24 weeks had thicker hair than at the start. However, as stated earlier, much of this hair growth depends on the underlying factor of your hair loss.
Regardless, a scalp massage typically centers on hair follicles, the beginning life stage of hair. A massage can increase hair thickness by stretching the cells of these follicles. Hence, it stimulates the hair and produces thicker hair. More research needs to be done, but it’s safe to say there are some benefits.
What Happens if you Massage Your Scalp Every Day?
The benefits of massaging your scalp center around how consistently you perform one on your scalp. Hence, you must massage your scalp every day, regardless of whether you’re doing it for your hair. There are plenty of other benefits worth noting besides hair growth.
Examples include better blood circulation, more robust hair follicles, relaxation, pain relief, and more. The general rule is to massage your scalp for a minimum of five minutes daily. As long as you stay consistent with it, you should begin to see the benefits of it.
Ways to Massage Your Scalp
It’s elementary to conduct a massage for hair loss. Though seeing a professional for your massage purposes is recommended, most experts agree to perform a self-massage in-between visits. You typically get the best results using both routes. Nevertheless, here are a few key options:
Traditional Scalp Massage
- Utilize the fingertips of two hands to apply light to medium strain to your scalp, moving in little circles.
- Work your direction across your scalp to cover all regions.
- Attempt to rub your scalp with your fingertips for five minutes at a time, a few times daily.
Massage while Washing Hair
- Utilizing your fingertips, tenderly rub your shampoo or conditioner into your hair for 5 minutes.
- Then, at that point, rinse your hair as usual.
Brushes and Massage Tools
Scalp massaging tools come as brushes or light handheld elastic massagers. You can work these all around your scalp like how you use your fingers.
Scalp Massage with Essential Oils
- Blend 1 to 2 drops of lavender or peppermint oil with one tablespoon of carrier oil, such as jojoba or softened coconut oil.
- Apply to your scalp and utilize your fingertips or a scalp massager to work the oils into your scalp tenderly.
- Before applying any oil to your scalp, test a small amount on your skin first to ensure you’re not allergic.
Scalp Massage Hair Growth Before and After
After seeing promising results in the first 24-week experimental scalp massage, a YouTuber continued this for 48 weeks. The first 24 weeks was a strict five minutes a day, while the second 24 weeks was a “do what you can” approach. Finally, the third 24 weeks of scalp massage was 20 minutes, thrice a week.
Hair Loss Alternative Treatments
As great as some hair loss treatments are, many alternative methods exist to consider before a full-blown hair transplant. A scalp massage is one of these methods worth considering and is best paired with options. Some studies have linked Vitamin D deficiencies to hair loss, meaning you should get your bloodwork done before anything else.
Once you know your body’s location, you can begin the massaging techniques and other methods to see if it helps. Although it’s not a proven method, you should see some benefits.
Scalp Massage Hair Loss Studies
Many studies link a scalp massage to helping hair growth, though much of it is because of underlying factors causing hair loss. Those factors typically include poor blood circulation or stress. Considering many people lose their hair for this reason, it’s possible a massage can rejuvenate the scalp. Some examples of studies include:
The Effect of a Scalp Massage on Stress Hormone, Blood Pressure, and Heart Rate of Healthy Female – Abstract
“Purpose: A scalp massage was conducted on female office workers divided into 15-minute and 25-minute groups. We analyzed its effect on stress hormone, blood pressure, and heart rate to provide a theoretical rationale for applying scalp massage as stress therapy.”
“Subjects and Methods: A scalp massage was applied to 34 female office workers twice a week for ten weeks; the subjects were classified into 15-minute, 25-minute, and control groups. We evaluated their stress hormone levels, blood pressure, and heart rate.”
“Results: Significant differences in norepinephrine, cortisol, and blood pressure (SBP & DBP) were found in terms of interaction by time interval and between groups.”
“Conclusion: As a result of applying scalp massage to female office workers for 15 and 25 minutes, positive effects were observed on stress hormone, blood pressure, and heart rate. Therefore, scalp massage can be used for stress control with no spatial or time limit.”
Standardized Scalp Massage Results in Increased Hair Thickness by Inducing Stretching Forces to Dermal Papilla Cells in the Subcutaneous Tissue – Abstract
“Objective: In this study, we evaluated the effect of scalp massage on hair in Japanese males and the effect of stretching forces on human dermal papilla cells in vitro.”
“Methods: Nine healthy men received 4 minutes of standardized scalp massage per day for 24 weeks using a scalp massage device. We evaluated total hair number, hair thickness, and hair growth rate. The mechanical effect of scalp massage on subcutaneous tissue was analyzed using a finite element method. Human dermal papilla cells were cultured using a 72-hour stretching cycle to evaluate the effect of mechanical forces. Gene expression change was analyzed using DNA microarray analyses. In addition, expression of hair cycle-related genes including IL6, NOGGIN, BMP4, and SMAD4 was evaluated using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.”
“Results: Standardized scalp massage resulted in increased hair thickness 24 weeks after massage initiation (0.085 ± 0.003 mm vs. 0.092 ± 0.001 mm). The finite element method showed that scalp massage caused z-direction displacement and von Mises stress on subcutaneous tissue. In vitro, DNA microarray showed gene expression change significantly compared with non-stretching human dermal papilla cells. A total of 2655 genes were upregulated, and 2823 genes were downregulated. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction demonstrated increased expression of hair cycle-related genes such as NOGGIN, BMP4, SMAD4, and IL6ST and decreased in hair loss-related genes such as IL6.”
“Conclusions: Stretching forces result in changes in gene expression in human dermal papilla cells. Standardized scalp massage is a way to transmit mechanical stress to human dermal papilla cells in subcutaneous tissue. Hair thickness increased with a standardized scalp massage.”
What is Alopecia and Can a Massage Help?
Alopecia is a condition that causes your hair to fall out, with there two main subtypes. Alopecia areata is when it occurs in patches, primarily on your eyebrows, eyelashes, and face. When it occurs over your entire body, it’s called alopecia universalis.
Unfortunately, there aren’t any cures for alopecia. However, in some cases, alopecia doesn’t mean permanent hair loss. If a person’s hair returns, a massage can help them obtain the thickness they once had. Still, that doesn’t make it a cure but a method to help if your hair returns.
Hair Loss Treatment Edmonton – Conclusion
You can do a lot for your hair loss nowadays, primarily if it’s caused by stress or poor circulation on your scalp. Visit us at Soul 2 Sole Studio in Edmonton if you want a scalp massage from a professional. Our website makes it very easy for you to make an appointment and learn more about our services. Contact us today to learn more about what we offer.
