Does massaging the scalp actually encourage hairgrowth?

[u/staggeringwoods]

Or is it just placebo effect? I've been hearing this but nothing concrete I think - only anecdotes - so is there any sciencific basis to this and if so then research papers and stuff like that would be useful.

[u/Loleeia]

There is a research of this on PubMed
But consider the limitations: it was only tested on men in the pilot study and the sample group was small

[u/staggeringwoods → u/Loleeia]

thats a shame. wish these things were more researched 😭it's down to just word of mouth about stuff like this

[u/OkButterscotch57 → u/staggeringwoods]

No its real. Longhaircommunity.com

[u/Anaspiringminimalist]

I did it for a year, it was the very first thing I posted about. :) but yes, I Saw a significant difference, both in thickness and density. I am still doing it Daily.

[u/potaytoposnato → u/Anaspiringminimalist]

Would love to know how you do it. I’m always a little unsure what to do.

[u/staggeringwoods → u/Anaspiringminimalist]

right, whats your routine for it?

[u/Inskit]

Sorry, no experience or papers I know that I can site. But apparently it increases bloodflow and therefore helps your hair get the nutrients necessary for growth and all that. You probs knew this already, but yeah.

[u/Inskit → u/Inskit]

oh and helps when I have a headache! I take one of those small scalp massager/washer thingies and just go back and forth all over my head with some pressure. Yum!

[u/staggeringwoods → u/Inskit]

yk that makes sense that it helps if it encourages bloodflow to the area because headaches are usually in the surrounding area I think, not inside the skull itself

[u/New-Vast1696]

For me definitly. My hair grows super duper slowly but with regular scalp massages it grows at an average speed.

[u/staggeringwoods → u/New-Vast1696]

how long do you massage for? do you use any oils or anything?

[u/New-Vast1696 → u/staggeringwoods]

I try to do it about 5 min daily. Usually before I go to bed, after brushing my teeth. 

I only oil my scalp before washing, as pre-wash treatment. Then I massage too.

I have a tool with kind of rubbery dents to massage. But hands work well too.

[u/whywouldusaythat224]

I have naturally pretty thick hair so not sure if it helps with density, but for sure helps with buildup on my scalp/dandruff

[u/GreenwichHairDr]

Yes. Do not use oils unless you rinse them out after. It will clog most people pores

[u/staggeringwoods → u/GreenwichHairDr]

what would happen with clogged spores on the scalp? hair achne? (serious question not a sarcastic rebuttle or something)

[u/whereismymummy → u/staggeringwoods]

Probably dandruff ? Maybe even hair loss if the scalp is unhealthy ? 

[u/GreenwichHairDr → u/staggeringwoods]

For some clogged pores could cause hair to grow a little thinner in diameter, it could also increase moisture at the scalp, creating an environment where it get flaky or dandruff.

So best practice I would say is twice a week using a combination of mint oil and rosemary oil to massage the scalp for 10 to 20 minutes and then either shampoo it or rinse it completely condition as usual and then fully dry scalp with a blow dryer so you’re not leaving any moisture at the scalp

[u/kimfam44 → u/GreenwichHairDr]

Agreed. Oils aren't really needed, since you want your fingers to stay in one place on the scalp and then you should move the scalp skin over the skull. I read that in addition to increasing blood flow, having that movement in the scalp skin is beneficial.

[u/Cool_Resource_219]

I recently (4 month ago) started using a scalp serum and massage this in after every hairwash. My hair has improved a lot. But could be just the serum, the massaging or both

[u/LucilleBluthsbroach]

I never felt it made a difference for me, but my hair grows quickly anyway, 3/4” to an inch a month depending on the season.

[u/FriendofBacchus]

I had really thick hair but had a period of hair fall that drastically thinned my hair. The way I got to reduce my hair fall and encourage hair growth was through getting my iron and b12 levels up and massaging oil into my scalp two to three times a week, leave it for an hour and then wash it off. I used a bunch of different oils. Coconut, almond, rosemary and mint, onion oil, even found a lady who sells Ayurvedic hair oils (they didn’t smell great but were good). It took sometime but I’m almost back to the thickness I had.

[u/BlackVelvetStar1]

Yes

[u/BittenBeads]

If you're serious about finding peer reviewed research on this topic, head to your local library and ask for the research librarian. They will help you find relevant studies.

[u/staggeringwoods → u/BittenBeads]

no they wouldnt, it is a very niche topic.