And while it's such a luxury to have someone else massage your scalp, it's very easy to DIY with the right tools. There are a ton of scalp massaging tools that are portable, almost effortless to use, and complement your existing haircare routine. Most are meant to be used in the shower (try massaging when you apply shampoo or conditioner) and can be used daily when you move along the scalp carefully with gentle pressure.

Pair the brush with dandruff shampoo. For a dandruff-busting double whammy, use a dandruff shampoo or scalp scrub with your scalp shampoo brush in the shower.

How to use a scalp massage brush for hair growth

This new scrubber by Conair is really convenient, since you can hang it in your shower, and the handle is ergonomically designed for easy use. The round, silicone bristles give you just enough of a sloughing effect on your scalp without going too hard, and they also work to detangle even the mightiest of knots. Rubber: You’ll find many scalp shampoo brushes with rubber bristles. Rubber tips are hard, to provide a firm massage, but they won’t scratch the scalp like some plastic bristles can. And as an added bonus, they feel really, really great—and isn't that what self-care is all about? “A head massage feels good because there are many nerve endings in the scalp," says Francesca Fusco, MD, of Wexler Dermatology. "Individuals who experience stress in the muscles of the scalp report feeling better after a massage because it relaxes their scalp muscles." What is the best scalp massager?

According to Kevin Mun, PhD, a product formulator and chief scientific officer of Venn Skincare, your scalp directly affects the health of your hair, and it is prone to getting clogged or facing external stressors just like the skin on your face. This means that if you overlook it,you could wind up experiencing dandruff, eczema, and even in extreme cases hair loss.

Benefits of using a scalp massage brush

That said, Hill points out that the benefits of scalp massagers depend on how you use them. Her suggestion? Pair scalp massagers with pre-shampoo scalp treatments weekly or bi-weekly. "The scalp brushes aid with exfoliation, removing dead skin cells and product buildup from the base of the hair follicle," she explains. "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 due to the design of the brush's teeth or nodes, as well." And, in case you were wondering, a massager also does wonders for ridding your scalp of itchy dandruff — so long as you're gentle and don't apply too much pressure. Just like your face, your scalp produces sebum. This natural oil keeps hair shiny and hydrated, but when sebaceous glands produce too much oil due to a number of factors, such as a change in the weather, your scalp can get oily and dull, causing dandruff or flare-ups of a skin condition called seborrheic dermatitis. It can also cause hair to thin. Hair products add to the buildup that dulls hair and clogs follicles. The Manta Hairbrush is a flexible, sleekly designed option that easily glides over every curve and bend of your skull as it works to detangle and stimulate the scalp. The brush also works to smooth your hair with its rotating bristles that comb right through your tangles. Silicone: This is another common material used for bristles in scalp shampoo brushes. Like rubber, silicone won’t scratch the scalp. It has a little more give than hard rubber while also providing enough pressure to scrub. Silicone bristles tend to be longer and triangular.

A healthy scalp makes for a healthy head of hair. Exfoliating your scalp is just as important as exfoliating your skin, especially if you suffer from dandruff. Using a scalp shampoo brush is an effective and inexpensive way to buff your scalp and break up dandruff and oily buildup for a squeaky-clean scalp and shiny hair. Even better news: A scalp massage has real benefits besides just feeling amazing — and can be done at home. So why is a head massage worth it? The process "can stimulate the scalp and increase blood flow," says Sadah Saltzman, a hair stylist at Salon AKS in New York City. " Massaging can release tension, exfoliate scalp skin, and remove excess oil and buildup." Scalp massagers are typically handheld, brush-like devices that work to stimulate and exfoliate the scalp like my. They tend to have soft silicone or synthetic bristles that help massage the scalp and buff away dry, flaky skin, product buildup and excess oil," says award winning hairdresser Lee Stafford. “The result is an environment for a happy, healthy scalp making them a great addition to anyone's routine." How do scalp massagers work? A. We don’t recommend using a scalp shampoo brush if you have psoriasis or eczema on the scalp because all the scrubbing can cause more scalp flakes to form. Also, if you have cuts or sores on your scalp, avoid using a scalp shampoo brush or any type of exfoliating product. Q. Isn’t shampooing my hair with a dandruff shampoo enough?

Pharmacy product

Tomoko Shima, the founder of New York City’s Tomoko Shima Salon, a head spa that offers the works for scalps in need of extra TLC, from a follicle-opening steaming session to a balancing deep-tissue massage, is in agreement. “Japanese people care deeply about healthy hair and know that stimulating the circulation in the scalp helps deliver nutrients to the hair follicles,” explains Shima, who recommends an electric vibrating scalp brush to clients who want to keep their scalps energized in between professional treatments. “It helps to stimulate the circulation of the scalp and aid in a deep pore cleansing, as well as release tension that we often store in our scalp,” she explains. “It can often be seen when people raise their eyebrows or bring their eyebrows together—this reflects the tension that we are hoping to release.” Incorporating scalp brushes and massagers helps relax the scalp and increase suppleness," Hill says, noting that the tools help reduce muscle tension. "We know stress tightens the scalp and impedes circulation and hair growth, so depending on hair-care regimens and scalp conditions, weekly scalp massages with massagers are excellent for overall health and wellbeing." Hold your tool of choice in the palm of your hand and use circular motions to sweep away debris. Be especially gentle, of course, on particularly sensitive scalps and thinning hair.

Try a wooden brush. Wooden dry scalp brushes are also available for banishing dandruff and invigorating the scalp. Do not use a wooden brush in the shower. To use, rinse hair with water, then pour the shampoo or scalp treatment directly on the bristles. Massage the shampoo into the scalp with tight, circular motions (rather than combing it through the hair). This should give you the sensation of a head massage performed by someone pressing their fingers firmly. Rinse out the shampoo and rinse off the brush. The result is an exfoliated scalp. Bristle materialWhat's more, Hill says that opting for an ergonomically-designed hand grip will allow you to maneuver the head massager better, which will help keep the muscles firing for the entire duration of use. But that's not all. One of the primary benefits of scalp massagers is just how relaxing they feel as they promote blood circulation and blood flow, which in turn can potentially boost not only your mood but hair growth, too. For a compact scalp brusher, the Briogeo option is small but effective. The round design and shape of the bristles work together to create a dreamy, massage-like sensation on your scalp, and it's universally effective for every hair type and texture out there. There aren't any hard and fast rules,” says Stafford. “Some scalp massagers are meant to be used on dry hair, while some of the most popular devices are used in the shower – which offer a gentle alternative to scrubbing and exfoliating your scalp with your fingers and nails. My top tip is read the instructions on your scalp massager so you know how to get the best results. The one I designed should be used in the shower, though, as I like to do the massage on wet hair so that any build-up is removed by the shampoo," he adds. Do scalp massagers work to stimulate hair growth?