Daily Pullering, Scritchering, Preenering, Massaging Thread

[countryhopper]

I thought we could share tips on root stimulation for hair growth! This thread includes tips on how to scritch and preen (essential for hair care routines like NW/SO).

I bought a small manual scalp massager (it looks like a claw with fingers) and I use it daily. I just kind of gently scrub my scalp with short movements (it tangles if I try to go from forehead to nape in one motion).

Since the hair pulling thread came up a few days ago, I've been gently tugging my hair (mostly by getting a fistfull of hair from the roots and gently clenching my fist and releasing).

I also like scritching and preening right before I wash my hair since it seems to spread the oil around alot.

I've been doing some combination of these routines since joining the forum in February, and I've gotten 3 inches of growth since March!

ETA: Sorry, the title should read: pulling, scritching, preening, massaging. I think I invented some new words!

[littlenvy]

I LOVE doing this. :)
I have a long drive from work to home so I do it then. One handed - LOL - but still works.
Makes me feel nice and relaxed and stress free in traffic. (additional side effect -hehe)
And I'm sure I look like a crazy lady to anyone who notices me doing it.
But it also helps GREATLY in stretching the time between washing. I'm sure I can go at least a week now.

Right now I don't really care about speeding up my growth, I just want a healthy growth and this seems to help. :)

[LanaMonsoon]

I love the hair pulling! I always thought of it as hair squeezing. I also like to massage by placing open hands on each side of my head or temple and then push my hands together until my fingers intertwine. Does that make sense? If you bend your fingers a bit, they'll get through the hair to your scalp.

[countryhopper]

I love head massages. Gets rid of any headache, and can completely relax me so much I fall asleep. Nice to know I'm not the only one!

[curlylocks85]

I have been massaging my scalp regularly and have incorporated the hair pulling into my routine since I read that thread. I think of it as a hair "root lifter," if that makes sense?


I have no idea what scritching and preening are, could someone please explain. :)

[Nera]

I love to pull my hair and massage my scalp, because with my thick hair i feel like nothing ever touches my scalp... If that makes any sense...
If you have short fine thin hair, it's easy to just stroke it, but mine is always all tangeled. When I take the time to massage my scalp i just love it.
Don't know about the growth though, i guess i'll have to find out.

[countryhopper]

I have no idea what scritching and preening are, could someone please explain. :)

Scritching is using a comb or fingertips to lightly scratch the scalp to loosen dead skin, etc. It also produces sebum.

Preening is like what a bird does to its feathers. You take sebum from the scalp and gently use your fingers to pull this sebum down the hairshaft.

Hope that helps! If anyone else has another (better) explanation, please share! :)

[LaurelSpring]

Great idea for a thread. The hair pulling thread also got me on the band wagon and it feels really good. I am still a little confused about scritching and preening. I get the idea but the practice hasnt fallen into place for me yet. That happened to me with scalp washing. I just couldnt seem to get it and then one day it all just worked and now I love it. I think its time for me to revisit S&P because I am really struggling with finding a shampoo that doesnt make me itch and I may need to go WO. I need to get this practice down and would love any suggestions and helpful advice from others who do it regularly.

[kristymarie87]

I may try this, ive gotten a little lazy lately...

I usually would massage in the tub with the conditioner on (not on the scalp) for aroung 3-5 minutes or until my fingers ache.

I've been so exhausted lately ive just skiped it, but i'd love to try the hair pulling!

Long story short, ive had headaches for the past 3 years (almost exactly) and now am getting migraines and massaging helps sooo much! But its hard to do it myself and no one in my family will do it as i have a huge scar from a brain op and their afraid of hurting me!

I do love going to the hairdressers because they are so rough and just lay into my head not concerned about my scar! It feels so good and a good tug of the hair when i have a headache feels great!

Preening = not for me, my hairs already too greasy!

Has anyone seen/measured good results from this?

[littlenvy]

Preening = not for me, my hairs already too greasy!

Actually, it degreases the hair :)
Basically, you are pulling a "blob" of sebum from the bottom part of your hair down along the whole shaft making the layer thinner so it acts like a natural conditioner only. :)
It takes away the grease and conditiones dry ends.

[Jenn of Pence]

Interesting thread! I've been trying to massage my scalp a bit more this week; I always forget to do it. It does increase sebum and makes my hair greasier...maybe preening would help with that. I'd also like to learn more about scritching, especially in helping get my scalp clean when washing. I also have thick hair, and it is a little challenging to make sure the whole scalp is cleansed.

Isn't there an article about scalp massage? I can try to find it and link to it for easy reference, if someone doesn't beat me to it :)

[Linnykinz]

I am definitely a daily puller, scritcher, preener, massager... I tried NW/SO a couple months ago, and that is where I got into the habit of doing this. I'm not NW/SO anymore (mostly a mixture of washing techniques, whatever my hair feels like, mostly WO). Every morning and night I SPMP (scritch, preen, massage, and pull) my hair. It feels soo good! I haven't noticed a huge difference in growth rates because of it, but I didn't record my hair growth before I started :shrug: I have noticed an improvement in my hair condition, though, so it is definitely a good habit to keep :)

I bought a little massager to use in the shower with shampoo/condish, but I never got very into it. I just stopped biting my nails so I've been having a lot of fun being able to use my fingers to gently scritch, which I have never been able to :D

[curlylocks85]

Scritching is using a comb or fingertips to lightly scratch the scalp to loosen dead skin, etc. It also produces sebum.

Preening is like what a bird does to its feathers. You take sebum from the scalp and gently use your fingers to pull this sebum down the hairshaft.

Hope that helps! If anyone else has another (better) explanation, please share! :)

Thanks countryhopper. I did not even realize it, but I have been scritching all this time and did not even know it was part of LHC. I only do it when my scalp itches though so maybe it does not count :shrug:


I have never done the preening before, but I may give it a try since I have very dry and coarse hair.


With all of these techniques put together it's like having a day at the spa. Pamper away!

[countryhopper]

Most often I remember to tug, scritch, preen, and massage when I'm on LHC :D

I kind of feel like a grooming monkey! :D

[May]

Actually, it degreases the hair :)
Basically, you are pulling a "blob" of sebum from the bottom part of your hair down along the whole shaft making the layer thinner so it acts like a natural conditioner only. :)
It takes away the grease and conditiones dry ends.

I don't think I've ever seen a "blob" of sebum in my hair! Do you only get this if you don't wash your hair? TIA

[countryhopper]

I don't think I've ever seen a "blob" of sebum in my hair! Do you only get this if you don't wash your hair? TIA

Well, maybe not a "blob" but have you ever noticed how greasy roots are only greasy for about an inch? Preening would help pull this down the hair shaft.

Another time that I especially remember seeing more greasy/waxies was when I first stopped shampooing daily. Moving this sebum down is much harder, I think, than when the sebum is softer.

Anyhow, if you read the NW/SO thread, you will see how beautifully natural sebum can condition the hair! Transition is no fun, though!

[LaurelSpring]

Ok, Im sold! :eek:

I just started doing the pulling, scritching, preening and massage a few days ago when this thread came up. Massaging, preening and moving the oil down my hair has resulted in really thick hair with loads of volume and grab. I am loving it. It seems like my thickness has doubled. I have the hair I have always wanted and didnt think I would ever get. Who knew it was possible and this easy. Im blown away.

Here is what I am doing right now. It may need adjustments as I go along. I scritch with a horn comb and then massage and gently pull. I use my fingers to move oil down the shaft and then I use a wooden comb to help move the oil down more. I then use the BBB to distribute and polish.

I am also using a baby brush after this. I saw a youtube awhile back by a girl that only uses a baby brush to polish her hair. It does seem to move the oil pretty well. I may even give up the BBB step entirely because I worry about damage but it does feel good on my scalp so Im not sure yet. Its still a work in progress. Thanks so much for posting this thread!

[littlenvy]

Well, maybe not a "blob" but have you ever noticed how greasy roots are only greasy for about an inch? Preening would help pull this down the hair shaft.

Another time that I especially remember seeing more greasy/waxies was when I first stopped shampooing daily. Moving this sebum down is much harder, I think, than when the sebum is softer.

Anyhow, if you read the NW/SO thread, you will see how beautifully natural sebum can condition the hair! Transition is no fun, though!
Yes, that's what I meant May. Thank you Countryhopper. :)
If you wash your hair every day, or even every second day, you will not get this. But those of us who try to stretch between washing do notice that sebum tends to stay mostly near the scalp and has to be "helped" down the hair length.

[Jenn of Pence]

Here are a couple of links to articles that perusers of this thread might find interesting if they haven't seen them before:

GoddesJourney's Scalp Massage Method (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=172)

Aurantia's Guide to BBB Free Preening (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=181)

If I find other relevant links, I shall post those as well.

[greyTraveler]

ETA: Sorry, the title should read: pulling, scritching, preening, massaging. I think I invented some new words!
I liked your new words!

[PeaceTeaRules]

Glad I found this thread. It was informative! Thanks!! :D

[dwell_in_safety]

I massage my scalp and lightly pull my hair in a bent-at-the-waist position every night. That's how I braid it so that my bun for sleeping sits somewhere on the top of my head (I switch up the position often to avoid damage). It feels fantastic, if nothing else. :) I scritch my entire scalp with a wood comb just before every wash, to keep my scalp free of dandruff. It works wonders.

[ArienEllariel]

Had a nice scritching session this morning to loosen scalp flakes and relieve the itchies I was feeling. Bent over at the waist and proceeded to brush said crap out of my hair. Voala. Nice happy hair and scalp for another day. :D

[earthnut]

SMPing was my favorite part when I tried WO & NW. (WO quickly turned into NW because smp was the key for me and hot water just seemed to negate it some.) I've been doing CO and intend to continue it, but also smp more. Partly to help stretch washes, partly so I can use less product when I do wash.

[LadyCelestina]

I don't want to seem like a complete dummy but what's the effect of pulling your hair?

[jacqueline101]

I love a vigorous scalp massage. I'm going to buy a massaging and viberating brush. I massage my head daily when I do my monistat.

[proo]

It's gotten to the point for me where nothing but my own sebum will do -
ANYthing else seems to screw it up, including water.
I feel so delighted we're figuring this out.
These techniques make me feel cleaner than products ever did.

[PeaceTeaRules]

I don't want to seem like a complete dummy but what's the effect of pulling your hair?

I believe it means taking a bit of your hair and pulling the sebum from roots to the ends. Not actually trying to pull the hair out of the scalp, but redistributing the oil on the crown and top of the head. Gosh I hope that made sense. :D

[meteor]

I love doing head massages a lot, but I always find that I can't get enough of my own sebum (my scalp is too dry), so I use a bit of some ayurvedic infused oil to help.
Do any of you guys add oils to your routine?
Also, do you guys notice significantly more shedding from hair pulling, scritching, preening and massaging?

[winship2]

I love doing head massages a lot, but I always find that I can't get enough of my own sebum (my scalp is too dry), so I use a bit of some ayurvedic infused oil to help.
Do any of you guys add oils to your routine?
Also, do you guys notice significantly more shedding from hair pulling, scritching, preening and massaging?

Very timely post! Inspired by this thread, I gave myself a nice head massage including some coconut oil this morning. I did lose a LOT of hair! I don't usually shed very much, and I'm just going to assume that this was my weekly shed all in one day, encouraged by the massage. But, maybe not so much with the scalp massage for me in future :)

BTW, I don't believe I was very rough, and I didn't scratch a lot. Since I don't comb my hair, I think there might have just been a lot that was ready to fall but didn't have the mechanical stimulation to cause it to fall.

[eresh]

I do these too except the pulling.
Massaging and scritching away for yeeeears now.
It stimulates bloodflow and sebum.

Only one warning.....try not to make it a tick/habit doing this in front of other people too often....
I never really payed attention all that much and was all up in my thoughs....while massaging n scritching with my fingers and nails.
Untill people asked if I HAD BAD ITCH!!! LOL.....it must have looked weird.....like I had bugs or something.
NEEDLESS TO SAY my head got bright red and now I pay attention not to do this while deep in thought AND with other people.
;-)

[LadyCelestina]

I believe it means taking a bit of your hair and pulling the sebum from roots to the ends. Not actually trying to pull the hair out of the scalp, but redistributing the oil on the crown and top of the head. Gosh I hope that made sense. :D

Yes it made perfect sense,but ...I thought that was preening,are "preening" and "pulling" two names for one thing?

[Neecola]

I read an article a while back that very gently tugging at sections of hair is supposed to be strengthening to the follicle... That is what I was picturing when I saw the word "pulling" but it might mean something entirely different.

eresh, that is a good warning! I definitely play with my hair mindlessly and have to try to remember not to when in public because I'm sure it is very distracting.

[slyviolet]

Another favorite head massage special move that I learned in massage school is to loosely thread the fingers through the hair close to the scalp until your palms are flat against your head, and then slowly squeezing your fingers into a fist, gathering hair and gently but firmly creating even tension.

This is *particularly* amazing if you can get someone else to do it for you (as a finale at the end of a deep relaxation massage, this was definitely my signature finishing move!)

Try it on yourself to get used to the different amounts of pressure, then find some loved one to train to do it for you! It's *so good*. I'm fully trained for full body relaxation and deep tissue massage, but this is the single move that DH requests most often.

[irena]

No "pulling" is what someone above explained. Going with your open fingers from the sides of the scalp inside and then in the end gently but firmly squeezing your hand in a fist which thus pulls the hair a bit - there are quite some great videos on YT to show exactly what it is :)

[irena]

Yes it made perfect sense,but ...I thought that was preening,are "preening" and "pulling" two names for one thing?

No "pulling" is what someone above explained. Going with your open fingers from the sides of the scalp inside and then in the end gently but firmly squeezing your hand in a fist which thus pulls the hair a bit - there are quite some great videos on YT to show exactly what it is

[Melisandre]

I'm sort of a bit addicted to pulling at my roots and massaging my scalp. I've been doing it for years when I'm at home, watching tv or reading. It feels so relaxing. Because I've been doing it for so long I actually have no idea if it contributes to hair growth or not. It does grow fast though so who knows. It might make my hair stronger too.

[Melisandre]

Oh that sounds all too familiar! I have to make sure to keep my hands away from my hair when I'm not alone!

[Melisandre]

I don't want to seem like a complete dummy but what's the effect of pulling your hair?

For me, it helps with blood flow. And blood flow to the roots of the hair helps speed up hair growth. But I don't have the science to back this up, this is all from personal experience.

[Ophidian]

I started doing regular scalp massages when I started hanging around here last spring, and I have a noticeable number of baby hairs that started growing in at that time :). I have not tried pulling, but I do scritch. This one I have to be careful with because it's easy to get overzealous.

ETA oh and preening too! I preen dry and in the shower under running water. In my mind now though it will always be preenering :)

[Ophidian]

double post

[emilyogini]

I *really need to get back to this healthy habit. It also used to make my hair grow so long and fast. Exercise did too, because of all the good circulation. Dont skimp out on health <3

[Begemot]

I had no idea this thread existed! Thank you for resurrecting it, emilyogini :D I don't do these daily but usually I like to preen, massage and scritch the day before wash and right right before washing. I try to avoid touching my hair too much since it's so addicting to me but getting oils down hair (kind of pre-poo thing I guess) and detangling and getting most of shedding hair out before washing saves hair, time and my nerves.

[Stray_mind]

I usually massage my scalp and scritch only when my hair starts getting oily, so i would spread around the oil more. It also relieves the itchy scalp.

[giraff]

Interesting! I'm a scalp massage addict, but I try keep it to wash day (during shampooing) and the week I do the inversion massage. Pulling, scritchering and preenering, I've never even heard of before, but it sounds enticing! I guess I've done it unintentionally while brushing my greasy hair before washing, but I'm definitely giving it a try the next few weeks :)

[AmaryllisRed]

I massage my scalp quite a bit. It gets sore after being in the same style for a day or two and massaging feels good.

[Arciela]

I try to do scalp massages daily. It really is relaxing and seems to help with growth :flower:

[0xalis]

Oh, this thread is right up my alley! I scalp massage daily, sometimes several times a day.
I do the inversion method too, although I know it's not recommended for people with circulatory disorders.
But I've never had problems from that specifically, I just stand up again slowly. (YMMV, all circulatory disorders are different.)

I've decided to experiment with stretching washes again too, so I've been scritching and preening. Mostly to re-hydrate my hair after I got it Too Clean on accident my last wash.

[giraff]

Oh, this thread is right up my alley! I scalp massage daily, sometimes several times a day.
I do the inversion method too, although I know it's not recommended for people with circulatory disorders.
But I've never had problems from that specifically, I just stand up again slowly. (YMMV, all circulatory disorders are different.)

I've decided to experiment with stretching washes again too, so I've been scritching and preening. Mostly to re-hydrate my hair after I got it Too Clean on accident my last wash.

Too clean? Is that a thing?

[Kalamazoo]

Too clean? Is that a thing?

Yes. It tangles like crazy.

[0xalis]

Yes. It tangles like crazy.

Yep, and feels super dry... I did a CO wash between that too-clean wash and now, but it only helped marginally.

[giraff]

I tried to massage, pull and preen between washes this week. Yesterday and this morning, my hair felt very greasy close to the scalp, and I feel like I was able to bring it down to the ends of my hair to a certain degree. In the end, I applied some oil to where the greasiness stopped, and that felt great! After washing my hair today, my hair definitely feels less dry than the last couple of washes, even though I didn't use a moisture mask this time. I'll continue doing this!

[0xalis]

Awesome!!! I'm so glad it worked out for you :D
I've been going super light on the shampoo, watering it down a little bit in my hand before applying,
And only applying it to my scalp. Then loading up on conditioner. My hair seems to like it.
I always scritch and preen before my washes, too, and am still massaging daily.

[tulirepo]

I started daily-ish head massages and (straight up) scratching (with my nails, uh I know) and before washes I used to do oil massages. Felt so good! And my baby hairs just sprung up! I'd really need to get proper head massager, something plastic or wooden with bumbs, to get myself out of the bad habit of scratching half of my scalp's skin off :D

[BraidedBunch]

I massage my scalp a little every day and every time I'm in the shower. I use "kneading" motions and circular motions all over the scalp -- I have noticed improvement in growth rates. I used to get a half inch per month, but now I get just under an inch. I think other things may also be contributing (diet, etc) but the massaging can only help.

Plus, it just feels so darn good. :happydance:

[Jonas]

I was searching for a thread on scalp massaging and seem to have found it. I really like to massage my scalp gently and it relieves some tension from keeping it up, or if I sometimes get a weird feeling patch. I just started though and I want to do it every day so I will try to keep you updated, not sure if it will cause extra oiliness either. Does anyone else like to massage daily?

[floridaorchid]

I’ve found I subconsciously do this or hair pulling when my hair is down. I probably look funny, but I can’t help it, stimulating my scalp just feels good

[SandyBottom]

I don't make a point of doing it on a regular schedule or anything, but whenever I feel like it because it helps give some relief from migraines or if my scalp is sore or tired from having my hair up. It's so soothing.

[embee]

I find brushing my hair with my Denman brush has that effect - soothing. Maybe it's like petting the cat, just a peaceful calming thing to do. ;)

[Liria]

At the beginning of this year, I was washing my hair every one to two weeks, but lately I've felt like I needed to wash my hair every 3-4 days.

Just recently I realized that I haven't been scritchering or preenering nearly as much lately, and I've gone back to that. It's only been a few weeks, but my scalp feels so much nicer again!