I don’t know about you, but I mainly go to the salon for the scalp massage. Sure, a perfect blowout is great, too, but there’s just nothing like that intense kneading post-wash. Well, guess what? Thanks to a host of scalp massagers on the market, you can basically get the same experience right in your very own home. And, best of all, they do more than just make your scalp feel good; scalp massagers can help with healthy hair growth.
“Scalp massagers help increase blood circulation to the hair follicles, which can support a healthier scalp environment,” says Sara Hallajian, an IAT trichologist and owner of Âme salon in Santa Monica, California. “They also aid in product absorption, exfoliate dead skin cells and can help reduce tension and stress, which potentially could be linked to poor hair growth.”
What does this mean? If you’ve been suffering from hair loss, it may be time to incorporate a scalp massager into your hair routine, stat. And, let’s face it, it’s certainly can’t hurt to have a little extra self-care time, too.
I asked a host of trichologists for their professional insights on the best scalp massagers to aid in safe, healthy hair growth. Read on for their favorites.
3-in-1 scalp massager$undefined$16.99
Do scalp massagers help with hair growth?
Basically, if you haven’t addressed what is truly causing your hair loss, simply massaging your scalp might not help.
“Scalp massage alone is not necessarily going to contribute to hair growth,” trichologist and hairstylist Jill Lee, who’s based in Los Angeles, says. “While it can be an effective tool for stimulating growth, if you’re experiencing hair loss, it’s important to understand the underlying cause to get the maximum benefits.”
However, that’s not to say using a scalp massager has no benefits at all! “Scalp massagers can support hair growth by improving blood circulation to the scalp, which is essential for nourishing hair follicles,” Osman says. “Regular massaging brings blood flow to the stem cells responsible for creating hair follicles, helping to feed them and support healthier hair growth.”
So, in a nutshell, it's not guaranteed that massaging your scalp will help with hair growth (but it's been proven to show positive results).
The best scalp massagers for hair growth, according to experts
Best budget:
This scalp massager is crafted from flexible, pliable silicone, and it has an easy-to-grip handle so it won’t slide out of your hands in the shower.
It’s a favorite of Hallajian’s, who says its “soft, flexible bristles work well for most hair types.” The bristles are well-aligned, too, so you really feel like you’re getting a great massage while you work it through your scalp. It comes in three colors, including mint green, light pink and purple.
Best comb:
“This comb is a multiuse tool,” says Kimberly Vaughn, a clinical trichologist president of HPIHair Partners in Nashville, Tennessee. “The natural ebony wood offers a rounded, wide-toothed design to treat the hair and scalp.”
This scalp comb can be used on all hair types and helps increase blood circulation while simultaneously detangling stubborn, knotty strands.
As seen on TODAY:
When it comes to an exfoliating brush that prioritizes overall hair health, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marnie Nussbaum recommends this ergonomic option from Jupiter. Designed to detangle, exfoliate and remove dandruff buildup all at once, this scalp brush is also FSA/HSA eligible if you have extra money remaining in your balance.
Most recommended:
Multiple trichologists I spoke with recommended this massager, which is designed to increase scalp circulation and stimulation, in effect helping to support a healthy scalp and hair growth.
“Soft silicone bristles and an ergonomic design make it gentle yet effective,” Hallajian says. It’s also a favorite of Penny James, a trichologist based in New York City, who says it’s “easy to use in the shower.” The handheld design includes a grippable handle and a slender rope to hang it in the shower between uses.
Most stimulating:
The round design, multiple soft bristles, and wide handle all give this scalp massager an edge. “It’s designed to enhance the absorption of hair growth serums while gently stimulating circulation,” says Hallajian. You can use it on wet or dry hair, and the smaller silhouette fits nicely in the palm of your hand.
Best multipurpose:
Lovers of gua sha will want to try this comb made from natural jade, which is designed not just for the scalp, but the neck, temples and even nose and eyes. “It has wide teeth that make it easy to work through the hair to the scalp when dry, and not create damage to the scalp,” says Tabitha Osman, a hairstylist and holistic trichologist at Haven Holistic Salon in Matthews, North Carolina.
She also likes this massager because of its wider teeth. “Many of the jade massagers on the market can have fine points that could cause damage to the scalp if using too much pressure,” she says. “This massager makes it easy due to the size of the teeth.”
Editor's note: This product is currently unavailable, but we found an option with similar features.
A pop of color:
If you want your scalp massager to be as fun to look at as it easy to use, the Jooy scalp energizing brush certainly deserves a spot in your shower. James notes that it “feels good on the scalp,” which is due to flexible rubber bristles that work through the hair and scalp without tangling or tugging.
Best gua sha:
As a fan of many of Act+Acre’s products, including the Stem Cell Scalp Serum and Clarifying Hard Water Shampoo, I have to admit I was excited to hear their gua sha comb is a favorite of Lee’s.
“This can be a good alternative tool to the other more common types of scalp massagers,” Lee says of this gua sha tool. “It is an effective tool to use for scalp massage to relieve stress and tension, increase topical absorption and promote blood flow and circulation.”
The pointed teeth are designed not only to reduce said tension, but also support hair follicle health.
Best pulsating:
If you’re looking for a truly unique scalp massager, this is most definitely it. It has two different pulse modes — 2000ppm gives you a relaxing massage, while 4000ppm offers more stress and tension relief. It also has 360-degree motion to reach every inch of your scalp while remaining gentle enough not to encourage breakage, which means it’s great for more fragile hair.
“This is not only a great scalp massager, but also is a hair brush,” says Lee. “The bristles are a very pliable rubber compound, and also closer together, so it does a great job of not only massaging, but also breaking up flakes.”
Editor-loved scalp massagers
Multiple editors approve:
Writer Emma Stessman tested this viral scalp brush and said her hair felt "cleaner, softer and more manageable" after using it. Stessman didn't test the possibility of hair growth with this product — but according to the brand, this scalp massager can, in fact, help improve scalp health.
Vivien Moon, an editor at Shop TODAY, also uses this scalp massager. She says, "While this is advertised as a shampoo scalp brush, I typically use it on dry hair when I apply a hair growth oil in the evenings to help distribute the oil better and to massage the hair follicles at the same time for better absorption."
3-in-1 scalp massager:
Shannon Garlin, an associate editor at Shop TODAY, tested this three-in-one product that's designed to massage your scalp while also dispensing scalp oil and shining a red light onto the surface of your skin (which, experts previously told us, can help with hair growth).
After testing this multitasking product, Garlin wrote, "Not only is it stimulating and provides circulation benefits, but it’s also incredibly relaxing and stress relieving; I can feel the tension melt away."
Works with shampoo:
Lauren Witonsky, an associate editor at Shop TODAY, tried this clarifying shampoo that's designed with a scalp massager attachment. She said, "It creates a great lather (especially for being sulfate-free), has gentle exfoliating ingredients like glycolic acid to break down product and the built-in scrubber is just so convenient. I also love how it makes my scalp feel tingly clean from the peppermint oil!"
Multiuse design:
Audrey Ekman, a production associate at Shop TODAY, says "this tool stands out from anything I've ever used because the shape is so unique." She continues, "I tried this out at FaceGym recently in combination with the new Olaplex scalp treatment (a match made in heaven, by the way) and it helped to massage the product into my scalp so well and felt amazing."
Ekman continues, "It's got a side that looks like a comb, smooth curvy sides similar to a traditional gua sha and a ball tip great for hitting pressure points. I love that it's not just for your scalp; you can use it on your face, neck and body, too!"
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How often should I scalp massage for hair growth?
Giving yourself fairly frequent scalp massages is important when you’re trying to encourage healthy hair growth. Vaughn recommends doing a scalp massage for three to five minutes a day. “It’s a splendid way to keep your hair growing and glowing,” she says.
Hallajian agrees on the three to five minutes a day rule, but with caveats. “If you’re using a scalp massager with shampoo or treatment products, two to three times a week is ideal to avoid overstimulating or irritating the scalp,” she advises.
What are the benefits of using a scalp massager?
In addition to creating a healthy environment for hair growth, scalp massagers actually have a host of benefits. They include:
- Scalp stimulation. “Scalp massagers are great for stimulating the scalp and promoting overall hair health,” Osman says.
- Exfoliation. “It removes dead skin cells, excess oil and product buildup,” Vaughn says.
- Increasing blood flow and circulation to the hair follicles. “Both of these have been shown to get more oxygen and nutrients to the follicle, which can increase hair growth,” says Lee.
- Relieving stress and tension. “Coincidentally, this is a leading cause of Telogen effluvium, a hair loss condition that causes increased shedding,” Lee notes.
- Distributing natural oils. “It improves scalp moisture balance and reduces dryness or flakiness,” Osman says.
What are some disadvantages of scalp massagers?
Yes, scalp massagers have a lot of advantages for the hair and scalp. It’s worth noting, though, that they have a few things to look out for, too — especially when it comes to their bristles.
“You do not want a scalp massager that will aggravate your scalp with scratchy plastic teeth,” James says. “Look for a brush that has rounded rubber tips.”
Additionally, as stated above, using a scalp massager by itself may not help your hair grow. “Scalp massagers can improve scalp health, but they should not be relied upon as a sole solution for hair growth,” Osman says. “Healthy hair also depends on other factors like nutrition, overall health and a proper hair care routine.”
Lee advises caution when using a scalp massager to avoid irritation, soreness and breakage. “While it can be beneficial to use a massager on a scalp with dandruff, if you have a type of inflammatory scalp condition, you have to be very careful because you run the risk of doing more harm than good to a scalp that’s already inflamed and possibly has open sores,” she says.
Frequently asked questions
You can use a scalp massager on its own, with shampoo or with a scalp treatment or oil. But whichever way you choose, gentle is the overall theme here. “Use gentle, circular motions across the scalp, applying light to moderate pressure,” says Hallajian. “If you have longer hair, I recommend using the scalp massager in a vertical and horizontal manner instead of a circular motion to avoid tangling.”
In case you’re still not sure how to use a scalp massager, Vaughn has one word for you. “Carefully!” she advises.
While you can use most scalp massagers on wet or dry hair, it’s also important to use caution when wet. “If you’re scalp massaging on wet hair, remember that the hair is more fragile,” Lee says.
As far as technique goes, Lee says it “doesn’t need to be complicated.” She advises starting at the nape of the neck to relieve tension, then use a circular motion to work your way up and around the head. “Use small circles and lift the brush off the head every so often to prevent tangles,” she says.
There are a few different materials for scalp massagers:
Silicone or rubber
“These are usually more affordable, as they are mass-produced and cost effective,” says Osman. “They are also gentler on the scalp, making them a good option for those with sensitive skin or those new to scalp massaging.”
Wood or crystal
“You can use a scalp gua sha tool for scalp massage,” Lee says. Osman recommends these materials as well, though she notes that they tend to be more expensive. “However, good-quality wood or crystal massagers will last much longer and don’t break down as easily over time,” she says.
Overall, make sure the bristles aren’t going to hurt your scalp. “I recommend rubber tips and rounded ends, which must feel soft,” James advises. “Not hard teeth, so it feels smooth on the scalp.”
How we chose
We chose scalp massagers for hair growth based on advice given by trichologists and hairstylists. We looked at the benefits of each recommended tool, including material, hair type and texture, design and massage type.
Meet the experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on a given topic. We also ensure that all expert guidance and recommendations are provided independently and without any undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Sara Hallajian is an IAT trichologist and the owner of Âme hair salon in Santa Monica, California.
- Penny James is a certified trichologist with The International Association of Trichology (IAT). She owns the Penny James Trichology Center in New York City.
- Jill Lee is a trichologist and hairstylist. She’s the owner of Jill Lee Hair and Trichology, which offers haircut, color, and hair restoration services. She’s based in Los Angeles, California.
- Tabitha Osman is a hairstylist and holistic trichologist. She’s the owner of Haven Holistic Salon in Matthews, North Carolina. She specializes in invisible bead extensions, low-maintenance dimensional color, fine and thinning hair, and energy healing.
- Kimberly Vaughn is a clinical trichologist, nutritional coach, and the president of HPIHair Partners. She’s based in Nashville, Tennessee.
- Dr. Marnie Nussbaum MD, FAAD, is an award-winning board-certified dermatologist based in New York.
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