Enter: scalp massagers, the handheld tools that make any hair care regimen feel salon-grade. Although, it’s not just about the feel-good sensation. These brushes can also help lift scalp buildup, deposit your shampoo, and support circulation and kick-start healthy hair growth—the possibilities are truly endless (but more on that later). Scalp Brush, Jupiter ($15) Jade Massaging Gua Sha Comb, Mount Lai ($52) Scalp Revival Stimulating Therapy Massager, Briogeo ($18) Mirror Brush, Manta ($32.28) Shampoo Massage Brush, Curltastic ($16.95) Electric Hair Shampoo Brush, Yeamon ($15.99) Scalp Massaging Shampoo Brush, Vitagoods ($15.99) Scalp Massage & Shampoo Brush, Fuller Brush ($19.99) Wooden Shampoo Brush, GranNaturals ($12.99) Scalp Brush, Hairstory ($10) Scalp Masajeador, Ceremonia ($16) That’s why regular scalp massages have been associated with hair growth: “Beautiful, strong hair depends on good blood circulation, proper nutrition, and a healthy and supple scalp,” says board-certified dermatologist Raechele Cochran Gathers, M.D., who specializes in hair care and founded MDHairMixtress about scalp massages. In fact, in a 2016 study, a small number of men received a daily four-minute scalp massage. At the conclusion of the study, the investigators found an increase in hair thickness1. A more recent 2019 study found that of the 300 or so participants who followed a specific massage regimen, nearly 70% reported improved hair thickness at the end2. And thanks to the soft, flexible bristles, scalp brushes can also help pre-shampoo treatments, oils, masks, etc., seep into those follicles: “When used with a pre-shampoo oil or serum-based scalp treatment, scalp brushes and massagers aid in assisting the active ingredients to penetrate deeper,” notes Hill. But if you’re looking for a relaxing pre-shampoo treatment (whether to help loosen buildup or promote circulation), find Hill’s tutorial below: If that doesn’t sound doable, Hill generally recommends a weekly or biweekly schedule: “Depending on your hair care regimen and scalp condition, weekly scalp massages with massagers are excellent for overall health and well-being,” she says, especially if you’re partial to weekly pre-shampoo treatments. Or you may pick up the scalp brush on less-frequent occasions, whenever you’re looking to soothe and unwind—that’s just fine, too. For example: “For curly, tightly coiled hair types, it’s best to use a scalp brush as a pre-shampoo treatment step performed weekly, biweekly, or monthly,” says Hill (or whenever you plan to have a wash day). She recommends sectioning the hair into quadrants and applying your scalp treatment section by section, gently massaging each region lightly with your fingertips until each is generously coated. Then use the scalp brush in semicircle motions, moving up and around the head. Repeat for two to three rounds, then shampoo and condition as usual. If you shampoo less frequently and have very thick, dense curls, you could add another round of scalp brushing as you work in the shampoo, says Hill. “If you do not, it is not necessary to overstimulate,” she notes.
