Scalp massagers—hair growth or hype? We've got the deets.
Although I’ve always kept my hair routine simple, the growing popularity of scalp massagers caught my attention. The promise of stronger, fuller hair was just too intriguing to ignore. These tools— often compared to face rollers but for your scalp— claim to stimulate hair growth and improve overall hair health.
The OOF! team has researched, analyzed user feedback from our Boho Heart Scalp Massagers, and spoken with experts to determine whether scalp massagers really live up to the hype. Ahead, everything you need to know about scalp massagers— tldr ;) YES, they stimulate hair growth!
What are Scalp Massagers?
Scalp massagers come in various types, including metal, wood, and silicone. Metal massagers, often known for their spider-like prongs, provide a light, tingling sensation and are primarily used for relaxation. Wooden scalp massagers have wooden prongs or beads which offer a more natural feel and are eco-friendly, however they can't easily be used in the shower or with the benefits of hair oil.
Silicone scalp massagers, however, are the most versatile and commonly recommended by experts. With flexible bristles that can be used both on dry hair and in the shower, they effectively exfoliate the scalp while stimulating circulation. Dermatologists, like Dr. Hadley King, favor silicone massagers for their ability to promote blood flow and healthy hair growth, while remaining gentle and easy to clean.
These handheld, brush-like devices are designed to provide a more targeted and beneficial experience for your scalp. They feature soft silicone bristles, which help massage the scalp while gently buffing away dry, flaky skin.
Silicone scalp massagers are best utilized in the shower. Often referred to as "shampoo brushes", offer a comfortable and effective alternative to scrubbing your scalp with your nails, making your shampoo routine feel like a spa treatment. These shower-friendly versions not only exfoliate but also help evenly distribute shampoo and conditioner, ensuring a deeper clean and healthier scalp environment.
Can Scalp Massagers Stimulate Hair Growth?
While there has not been research to definitively back up the claim that scalp massage will stimulate hair growth, there is evidence that scalp massage results in better scalp circulation (bringing more nutrients to hair follicles) as well as overall scalp health. And guess what? With better scalp health comes ideal hair growth.
Multiple studies have explored the link between the health of the scalp and hair growth, revealing that there is a close connection between scalp health and the growth of healthy hair. Let's look at the scientific research supporting how scalp massagers can mean longer, thicker, stronger hair.
Scalp Massage for Hair Thickness
One study from HPM Global examined the impact of scalp massage on hair thickness. Scientists carried out a randomized controlled trial with participants undergoing scalp massage sessions for 24 weeks.
The findings indicated an increase in hair thickness in those who received consistent scalp massages in comparison to the control group. The research implies that scalp massage could enhance hair growth by applying stretching forces on dermal cells in the hair follicles which leads to thicker hair growth.*
Scalp Massage and Better Circulation
Another study from the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences looked at the effects of scalp massage on circulation and blood flow. For 4 weeks participants in the study received scalp massage treatments while changes in circulation to the scalp were measured using a laser Doppler flowmeter.
Compared to the control group, the research found a significant increase in scalp circulation in the scalp massage group. Scalp massage effectively improved scalp circulation.** Enhanced circulation contributes to scalp health by promoting nutrient delivery, oxygenation, and waste removal. This creates the ideal environment for hair growth.
What is the best scalp massager?
Experts, like dermatologist Dr. Hadley King, recommend silicone massagers for their ability to improve scalp health and support hair growth, all while being easy to maintain and clean.
Silicone bristles are soft and flexible, which makes them great for stimulating the scalp, improving circulation, and promoting hair health without irritating the skin. Silicone is also more hygienic, because it can be easily cleaned, reducing the risk of buildup that could affect scalp health.
Silicone bristles are flexible, providing a gentle scalp stimulation that does not harm the hair or scalp. This feature is beneficial for sensitive scalps or fine hair, as it reduces the chances of irritation or breakage.
According to Dr. Marisa Garshick, silicone bristles, particularly in devices like the OOF! Boho Heart Silicone Scalp Massager, allow for effective exfoliation and product penetration, helping maintain a healthy scalp, which is key to hair growth.
Benefits of Scalp Massage
Scalp massages offer a wide range of benefits, from improving circulation and exfoliating the scalp to relieving stress and distributing natural oils, all of which contribute to healthier, stronger hair.
Scalp Massage Improves Circulation
"Using scalp brushes and massagers can help to relax the scalp and improve flexibility," explains Bridgette Hill, a certified trichologist. "It is well-known that stress can cause the scalp to tighten, reducing circulation and hindering hair growth." Regular massage can alleviate this tension and enhance blood flow to the scalp, facilitating the delivery of oxygen and essential nutrients for healthy hair growth.
Exfoliates the Scalp with Scalp Massage
Scalp massages, particularly when done with tools like silicone massagers, can help remove dead skin cells and product buildup from the scalp. This exfoliation keeps the scalp clean and healthy, creating a better environment for hair growth. Dermatologists like Dr. Marisa Garshick note that silicone scalp brushes are especially effective in loosening dirt, oil, and product residue.
Scalp Massage Relieves Stress
Scalp massage is a relaxing activity that can lower stress levels. Since stress is a well-known factor that contributes to hair loss (through conditions like telogen effluvium), managing stress through massage can have indirect benefits for hair health. Stress relief from scalp massage also promotes overall well-being, making it a simple yet effective self-care practice.
Scalp Massaging Distributes Natural Oils
Massaging the scalp helps to evenly distribute the scalp’s natural oils, which can moisturize and protect the hair. By moving these oils from the scalp down the hair shaft, scalp massage can enhance shine and prevent dryness, keeping hair strong and healthy.
How to Use a Scalp Massager
Now that you know scalp massagers are idea for a healthy scalp, you're probably wondering how long and how often you should use one. When it comes to how long your massage should last, there aren't really any hard and fast rules.
According to scalp experts, a good three minutes is best if your massaging on dry hair. If you're massaging your scalp in the shower or while shampooing, you should aim for one to two minutes. The golden rule for all scalp massage is—always use light to medium pressure with a scalp massager. If you massage to hard, it can (and will!) irritate your skin.
How often you use your scalp massager depends entirely on your lifestyle, BTW—lazy folks like me can get away with once a week, but there's no reason why you can't use one every couple days.
Want to level up your scalp massage? Experts agree that scalp massage combined with hair oil can offer significant benefits for both scalp health and hair growth. Scalp oiling can help seal in moisture, promoting healthy hair and enhancing blood circulation to the scalp. This helps stimulate the hair follicles and can lead to better hair growth.
Essential oils, such as rosemary and peppermint oil, have been shown to improve hair growth when used in scalp massage due to their ability to increase blood flow to the follicles. However, moderation is important to avoid scalp buildup.
So, do I really need a scalp massager?
If you’re ready to add some relaxation and healthy scalp benefits to your self-care routine, then go for it! Scalp massagers, especially the derm-approved like the OOF! silicone scalp massager, are a safe alternative to scrubbing with your nails or fingers, since there's way less room for error.
Exfoliating your scalp helps removes dry skin and creates an environment for a happy, healthy scalp. And (like me) if you're lazy when it comes to your hair, you'll how easy it is to fit a scalp massager into your routine (personally, I use one during wash day!).
Citations:
*Koyama, T., Kobayashi, K., Hama, T., Murakami, K., & Ogawa, R. (2016). Standardized Scalp Massage Results in Increased Hair Thickness by Inducing Stretching Forces to Dermal Papilla Cells in the Subcutaneous Tissue. Eplasty, 16, e8.
**Yan Tan, Fang He, Ce Zhang, Jiani Zhang, Ziwei Chen, Xu Wang, Peng Wei, Yinan Nan, Louis Lei Jin, Qian Hua. (2020). Mechanical stimulation of the scalp improves the extra- and intracranial blood circulation in humans and mice. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences, Volume 7, Issue 4.
Comments