man uses Arey Scalp Brush to massage his scalp

How to Give Yourself a Scalp Massage for Hair Growth

February 3, 2025 BY JAY SMALL, TRICHOLOGIST, HAIRSTYLIST AND CO-FOUNDER OF AREY

Research into scalp massage for hair growth shows a link between increased blood flow to the scalp and improved hair growth. More blood flow means more nutrients being delivered to each hair follicle (root) and that can mean healthier, thicker hair.

How Does Scalp Massage Work for Hair Growth?

Several clinical studies show that a routine of regular scalp massage can cause an increase in hair thickness and growth.¹

There are many reasons why haircare experts recommend scalp massage:

- It boosts blood circulation to your hair roots
- It reduces hair-damaging stress hormones like Cortisol
- It may promote thicker hair¹
- It releases endorphins that can improve your sleep quality

A recent Gallup poll³ showed that more than half of Americans just aren’t getting enough sleep and your hair growth and health is directly related to the quality of your sleep.² So if you’re feeling stressed, tired, and overloaded, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, your hair is suffering too.

A sleep deficit means more hair-damaging stress hormones are circulating in your bloodstream, and a study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information⁴ found a direct connection between stress and reduced hair growth. Scalp massage lowers stress by relaxing your body and mind, and may help reduce stress-related hair loss.

If you’re feeling like scalp massage is just another to-do added to your (already long) list, don’t panic. Although most studies are based on daily massage, even 3 minutes a few times a week is going to benefit your hair growth and health.

Here’s how to get started giving yourself a scalp massage:

The Safest Ways to Massage Your Scalp

There are several ways to massage your scalp — and they don’t always require tools. But, if you feel like giving your hard-working hands a break, you may want to invest in a scalp massager to do some of the heavy lifting for you.

Here are my Trichologist tips for the safest scalp massage tools:

Your hands: traditional and safe. Just don’t be tempted to use your fingernails – you could damage your delicate scalp tissue. Stick to light pressure with fingertips only.
A silicone massage tool: use with caution – these are often used in the shower but can easily tug on your wet hair and may even cause breakage and increased shedding.
Gua Sha combs: safe when used correctly – but excess or prolonged pressure from a hard tool could impede blood circulation to your hair follicles and damage hair growth.⁵
A scalp massager brush: safe and easy to use. Designed for use on dry hair, Arey’s scalp brush fits in the palm of your hand and has stimulating pins embedded in a natural rubber pad to prevent too much pressure on your scalp.

Knowing how to use scalp massagers is key to getting the hair growth and hair health results that you want. I get it, DIY scalp treatments can be a little intimidating. But, with the right tools and a little practice, it can be easy to perform an effective and relaxing at-home scalp massage.

Using a Scalp Brush Massager on Dry Hair

A lot of my clients are surprised when I recommend using a scalp massager on dry hair. The reason? Your hair is at its weakest when it is wet.

When your hair is wet, the hydrogen bonds in your strands weaken and they become very stretchy. If you use a multi-pronged massage tool in circular motions, you can easily overstretch your wet hair. Unfortunately, stretched-out hair doesn’t snap back like an elastic band, it remains weakened and more vulnerable to future breakage and styling damage. You could also accidentally be pulling your hair out by the roots.

The Best Way to Massage Your Dry Scalp

Arey’s scalp brush is specially designed with extra long copper nickel prongs to stimulate your scalp without causing damage. As you gently move it over your scalp in a circular motion, it activates reflexology points which cause pleasant tingling sensations all over your scalp.

What’s the Best Time to Do a Scalp Brush Massage?

The best time to massage your scalp is just before bed. Your body’s tissues, organs, and hair are all regulated by the natural cycle of day and night, known as the circadian rhythm.

How using a scalp brush at night boosts your hair health:

✅ It relaxes your mind and body and prepares you for restful sleep: your melatonin levels rise at night – melatonin is a hormone produced by your pineal gland that regulates your sleep and hair growth cycles.⁶

✅ It kickstarts your natural nightly detox process: at night, your circadian rhythms trigger your body to increase microcirculation, aiding detoxification, and delivering vital nutrients to your cells.⁶

✅ It reduces stress: less stress means your body produces fewer hair-damaging stress hormones like cortisol.

Massaging your scalp at night allows you to tap into your body’s natural circadian cycle of regeneration and repair.

How to Boost Your Scalp Massage With a Serum

Here’s an easy way to supercharge your scalp massage – combine it with a scalp serum like To The Root™. Designed to boost hair growth, color, and health, To The Root™ delivers nutrients and antioxidants directly to your hair roots in a lightweight serum.

Simply apply a few drops of To The Root™ to your temples and the top of your head near your part, and massage your scalp as normal. If you are experiencing scalp irritation after coloring or other chemical processes, skip the massage and apply our soothing scalp serum Calm It Down® until your symptoms subside. If you are having a serious reaction then make sure to consult your dermatologist or medical provider.

Massaging Your Scalp in the Shower

A shower can be ideal for zoning out under warm water and giving yourself a relaxing scalp massage. Got hands? You’re good to go. I recommend using your fingers over a silicone scalp massager – it’s safer. Silicone massagers have flexible prongs that can easily drag on your hair causing breakage, extra shedding, and damage.

Ever scratched at your scalp and seen gunk under your nails? That’s buildup. It’s a natural result of dead skin cells, and excess sebum that collect around your hair roots over time. A regular exfoliator like Scrub can stop itching and leave your scalp cleaner and ready to benefit from specialized haircare serums.

Massaging your scalp regularly with a scalp brush on dry hair, or with your fingertips in the shower, can reduce itching and help loosen flaking caused by dandruff or a dry scalp. The repeated circular motions combined with a scalp exfoliant like Scrub, are an easy way to boost your scalp health and create the perfect environment for hair growth.

Why Clean Haircare Is Your Best Hair Growth Solution

Taking care of your hair means taking care of your scalp. Scalp massage is an excellent tool in your hair growth regime, especially if you are combining it with clean, effective haircare products. Harsh ingredients commonly found in haircare can dry out your scalp and hair, leaving it hard to manage and easy to damage. That’s why all Arey products follow the Credo clean standard and are free from sulfates, parabens, phthalates, gluten and artificial fragrance. They are also always vegan and cruelty-free.

Your scalp and hair health is important to us. That's why we offer up to 25% off on all subscription orders to help keep you on track with your hair health goals. Because we believe that science + consistency = results.

We are Arey.

Have questions? Check out our FAQ page or say hey@areygrey.com.

Jay Small with customer

AuthorJay SmallJay Small is a sought-after hair stylist and Trichologist in Los Angeles with over 22 years of experience. His clients consist of high-profile business and creative leaders. He trained as an apprentice to the owner of Paul Mitchell and worked in education and product development for Paul Mitchell Systems. Jay is incredibly passionate about the creative process both in terms of styling hair and developing effective products.

REFERENCES:

Why Men’s Hair Goes Grey and What You Can Do About It

Hard Water Hair Damage? Here’s What You Can Do

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