As our beauty editor, I'm constantly trying new beauty products to bring you the latest and greatest cheap thrills and splurge-worthy products. Scalp massagers, sometimes called scalp scrubbers, are one of my favorite haircare discoveries — and with a casual 85.2 million views on TikTok, it's safe to say they're currently having a moment.

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." 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? 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. While most shower scalp massagers offer the same benefits, some are better for different needs. For example, if you have particularly bad dandruff, there are scalp massagers specifically designed to help minimize buildup. Alternatively, if you have a dry scalp and you'd like to be able to do regular hydrating treatments, a massager you can fill with said treatment for optimum efficacy is a great option for you. When you go in for a a fresh haircut or bouncy blowout, of course you can't wait for the end result: A pretty, shiny, coiffed 'do. But one of the best parts of the whole process? The scalp massage from your hair pro, hands down.Throughout the last year or so, scalp health has made its way to the forefront of the healthy hair growth conversation, cementing the category as a total must for both beauty lovers and celebs alike. What’s more, with innovative scalp care practices that include scalp facials, scalp micro-needling for hair growth, detoxes, and targeted serums — it makes sense that potentially harmful aerosol dry shampoos would be suddenly recalled, seemingly on-cue amidst the scalp-centered buzz. To help you find the best scalp massager for your hair type and budget, I put together this beauty editor-approved guide for all things scalp massagers. Additionally, I rounded up a few standout options that have been part of my regimen and other highly-rated models worth incorporating into your routine. The Best Scalp Massagers Body Buzz’s antenna-style head massager is designed to relax you by gently caressing the acupuncture points on your head. It has a 7.5cm-long bronze-coloured metal handle that tapers to a point on one end and 12 little “fingers” – six long and six short – fanning out in a dome shape on the other. The fingers are made from fine metal wires that have been dipped in plastic to create little bulbs on the ends that won’t scratch your skin during use.

According to Dr Srivastava, “Care must be taken not to over-exfoliate your scalp as it can really irritate your scalp and even cause abrasions. A medium pressure application is enough to remove scales of dandruff or excess build-up from the scalp. The exact frequency of usage depends from person to person but 3 times a week is more than enough in most instances.” Kent’s version is an oval-shaped brush that measures 9cm at its longest and 8cm at its widest. On the hard plastic top, there’s an extra long notch stretching from the centre to one edge lengthways, that’s designed to help improve grip. This is ideal for bigger hands, but smaller hands may find it uncomfortable. On the underside, the base is made from a rubbery plastic that has plenty of give, which creates the same cushioned effect as if you are using a regular hair brush. 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.

Remember: Not all scalp massagers are for shower use, so be sure to read the fine print before buying, especially if it's electric or battery-powered. This is mostly to ensure it's waterproof before putting it in the shower unless, of course, you prefer a dry scalp massager. Just remember that dry scalp massagers are typically more for relaxation and tension reduction than the actual scalp exfoliation benefits. Hair Concern HeatherWoolery-Lloyd, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Florida and the creator of Specific Beauty, a skincare line designed to treat hyperpigmentation. What'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.

At just over 9cm in diameter, the Boucleme scalp massager was the biggest shampoo brush we tried. It has 44 silicone bristles in four different sizes, all arranged in concentric circles with the longest on the outside and the shortest in the middle. The topside is moulded with a domed centre for your palm and grooves on the top and at the sides to rest your fingers and thumb. To help improve grip, there are two handles protruding from the sides of the brush that flap over the top to gently enclose your hand. Consider a scalp massager to be synonymous with a ‘loofah’ for your body. It works both as an exfoliator as well as a massager. The scalp massager can be used on both wet and dry hair, so it can be used at any time. They are made to fit comfortably in your hand. Start by holding the massager in your palm then gently press the tips onto your scalp, use medium pressure and begin to massage in small circular motions. Repeat across your scalp and try not to use large motion as it can cause your hair to tangle.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. Using a scalp massager stimulates the cells of the hair follicles by increasing the blood circulation. This encourages the nutrients to rush to the surface - having more nutrients in the hair will help your hair grow longer and become healthier. Scalp massagers are a detox shampoo’s best friend, making the experience of cleansing your strands all the more efficacious. Though aside from that impressive fact alone, Rubin notes a few more benefits of incorporating frequent massages into your routine.

If you've ever thought that a scalp massager wasn't for you, whether because of price or an assumption that they're too bougie for your low-key hair-care routine, think again. "It is necessary to activate the scalp muscles and improve circulation as well as remove debris from the base of the hair follicle," says Bridgette Hill, a certified trichologist, hairstylist, and colorist with over 20 years of scalp- and hair-health experience. "The scalp brush is universally needed for all scalp and hair types to be used at some point in scalp and hair-care regimens," she adds. Gretchen Fries, Gretchen Fries is a trichologist with Bosley Professional Strength, a line of hair products that helps prevent hair loss and restore thinning hair. When used on the wet scalp, do not exfoliate more than 2 to 3 minutes as wet hair is more prone to damage.” adds Dr Srivastava. The takeaway 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? If using on wet hair or with product, apply the shampoo or treatment oil throughout the scalp and hair before massaging. How does a scalp massager work

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. 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. 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. In other words: Scalp massagers are the underrated key to your longest, healthiest head of hair yet. The Benefits Of Scalp Massages Aleta Simmons, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Nashville, Tennessee. Sheserves as the Assistant Professor and Diversity Champion of Dermatology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.