We’ve talked quite a bit about the many products and gadgets you can use to help stimulate natural hair growth. Although we love a good serum, supplement, or powder, did you know there’s an even easier and less expensive way to promote growth? Well, let me tell you, there is one! Hairstylists always say that scalp massage can help promote healthy hair growth. If you’re curious why that is and want to invest in one yourself, keep scrolling. I’m breaking it all down below.
A good scalp massager will do several things—stimulate blood flow to the scalp, exfoliate, and deeply cleanse the hair. Another thing a scalp massager can help with is stimulating new hair growth. Celebrity hairstylist Jennifer Korab gave me a few more details. “Scalp massagers are often referred to as promoting hair growth,” she says. “The primary factors influencing hair growth are genetics, hormonal balance, overall health, and the growth cycle. Massaging the scalp with a scalp massager can have some benefits, such as improving blood circulation, reducing stress, and removing dead skin cells or product buildup. These benefits can indirectly contribute to maintaining a healthy scalp environment, which can support hair growth.”
Korab also has a few tips for choosing the right one for you and how to use it. “Start by choosing the right scalp massager to suit your needs. Start with clean, dry hair. Apply gentle pressure and gradually increase if desired. The goal is to provide a relaxing massage and not aggressively scratch the scalp. Massage in a circular motion, starting in the front of your head. I also like to use the massager with a scalp scrub product.”
For our top scalp massager picks, keep reading below.
Pros: Budget-friendly, helps detangle hair, gently exfoliates the scalp, helps promotes healthy hair growth. Cons: May be too small for some. “My favorite scalp massager is the Kitsch scalp massager. It’s durable, not too harsh, and cleans easily.” — Korab. Customer Review: “It feels so awesome on your head while lathering in shampoo and conditioner, I just [love] it.”
Pros: Stimulates blood flow to the scalp, helps promote hair growth, and exfoliates a dry and flaky scalp. Cons: Bristles can be a bit harsh. Ceremonia’s scalp massager does so many things at once—exfoliates, stimulates blood flow to the scalp, and helps create an environment for optimal hair growth. Customer Review: “I never write reviews, but THIS IS AMAZING. I audibly said ‘wow’ when I first used this…You can really feel the non-abrasive bristles getting the buildup out while acting like a mini-massage to yourself. You NEED for your shower.”
Pros: Can be used in the shower or on a dry scalp, increases blood flow to the scalp, and helps promote healthy hair growth. Cons: Expensive. Briogeo’s scalp massager can be used on a dry scalp, with hair oil, or in the shower while shampooing. It increases blood flow to the scalp, stimulating the follicles and helping to promote healthy growth. Customer Review: “It’s relaxing and feels as if the scalp is being stimulated in a rhythmic motion.”
Pros: Budget-friendly with an easy-to-grip handle and soft silicone bristles that are gentle on the scalp. Cons: Bristles may be too hard for a sensitive scalp. This budget-friendly option from Amazon gets the job done with an easy-to-grip handle and soft silicone bristles that are gently enough for children. Customer Review: “This was my first time using something like this. The silicone points feel so good. They are not too hard or to soft. Also it is very easy to hold. I will be using them every time I wash my hair.
Pros: Deeply exfoliates the scalp, stimulates scalp micro-circulation, thin, long, flexible bristles easily reach through wet hair. Cons: Expensive. This uniquely designed scalp massager from Aveda contains a mix of long and short bristles to deeply penetrate the scalp. It exfoliates and provides a deeper cleanse and massage. Customer Review: “I like using this product as the directions say, but I also use it to gently massage my scalp when my hair is dry. I’ve tried a scalp brush before, one that has triangle-shaped bristles with a handle that semi-wraps around my hand, and I found that this one can really get into my fine yet dense head of hair. It’s gentle, durable, and very comfortable to hold. I can tell that it’s not missing any areas of my scalp because of the bristles’ different lengths. It was a great purchase, in my opinion.”
Pros: Uses a gentle tissue massage method to stimulate circulation and reduce hair loss, uses red LED light therapy to help promote new cell growth. Cons: Expensive and can’t be used in the shower. This option might look hi-tech and intimidating, but it offers a professional-level scalp massage. It helps promote healthy hair growth and reduces hair loss by using a gentle tissue massage method that stimulates blood circulation. It also has the added benefit of red LED light therapy, which promotes new cell growth and rejuvenates the scalp. Customer Review: “This massager has worked well on restoring my hormonal and stress loss hair. At first, there [weren’t many] results, but the hair really started coming in about two months later with lots of short baby strands getting longer.”
Pros: Budget-friendly and plastic-free massager is suitable for wet or dry hair. Cons: No handle. This scalp massager from Sephora Collection is suitable for wet or dry hair, is completely plastic-free, and helps deep cleanse and exfoliate the scalp. Customer Review: “This feels so good on my scalp. Cleans deeply, but not at all too hard on scalp.”
Pros: Budget-friendly, easy-to-grip handle, ultra-soft bristles exfoliate and massage the scalp without damaging hair. Cons: Bristles might be too sharp for a sensitive scalp. Grande Cosmetics offers this budget-friendly, easy-to-use scalp massager, which helps stimulate the scalp without damaging the hair. Customer Review: “I just got my scalp massager. I’m so happy with my purchase. It feels good on my scalp. I looked high and low for the best scalp massager.”
Pros: Needles create micro-channels on the scalp to stimulate blood flow and release growth factors, helping stimulate new hair growth. Cons: Expensive. This option from Act+Acre is a dermaroller. The needles create micro-channels on the scalp that stimulate blood flow and release growth factors. These growth factors will stimulate new hair growth and increase topical product absorption. Customer Review: “Dermaroller is as described. Use is completely painless whether you use it on your scalp, face, or body. The velvety feeling coating on the handle is very soft and gives the tool a luxurious feel.”
Pros: Deep-cleansing scalp brush, budget-friendly, suitable for all hair types, can be used on wet or dry hair. Cons: Bristles may be too hard for a sensitive scalp. This trusty Amazon find is budget-friendly, suitable for all hair types, and can be used on wet and dry hair. Customer Review: “Wanted a brush to help with my dandruff and itchy scalp. The bristles are softer than the ones I have found in stores which is nice, although I wish they were just slightly more firm. However, using it in the shower for shampooing hair is good [and] feels nice. I don’t know if it is helping my scalp, but it does at least feel good.”
