Has anyone tried scalp massage for at least 6 months?

[inkd]

I've read many promising article, but has anyone actually *seen* results?

[inkd]

Apparently scalp massage increses blood circulation to the scalp allowing the root and follicle to absorb more nutrients, resulting in optimum hair health. I've been at it for a few weeks now, but not really long enough to see results.

[Amazinggrace]

Congrats on starting a thread. :)

If you haven't read it yet, this thread may be of intrest: http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=83019&highlight=scalp+massages+months

[Carissamarie08]

I always scalp massage but I don't know if I see results from that alone.

[same_as]

I've also seen such articles, and have started experimenting with the treatments. However I am interested in the results over a long period of time. I'll be watching this thread :)

[inkd]

AmazingGrace, thank you, but I'm interested in long term results of those who have already tried, so I know if the extra time is worth it or not! I know how, and what to use, but what I'm trying to figure out is....what are the real results? Thickness? Volume? Length? Ya know?

[Emaebe]

I've just started too! And even if it doesn't do anything, it still feels really great lol. I've started scalp massaging with a castor oil lotion I picked up at the store, and my hair looks and feels amazing now. :) :D

[inkd]

I've been doing it without any oils at all. If we keep at it, we can compare results in the future. :D

[Carissamarie08]

I do it without oils as well. If I'm bored I just start massaging my scalp. Sometimes I make my boyfriend do it for me, haha

[Melisande]

I've been doing scalp massage with essential oils in jojoba for about five years, no less than once a week (some longer breaks because vacation or illness happened - but no longer than three weeks without). I'm extremely content with the positive changes I have seen in my hair. However, I also changed the way I treat my hair (like old lace: no rubbing, no harsh ingredients, no styling, keeping it up most of the time) and the way I wash it (diluted shampoo, CWC, mild citric acid rinses). I also replaced box dye with herbal dyes (henna, cassia, katam). All this may have contributed to the dramatic improvement in texture and volume.

I don't believe that you can push the fullness and thickness of your hair over the limits of genetic potential. But you can try to reach that potential. IMO, this is what I achieved. I removed damaging practices and products and replaced them with strengthening ones. I am certain that the essential oil mixture I learnt from Jessie's thread many years ago helped me achieve my maximum potential.

I will try to find the recipe and post it here. Jojoba oil has proved a good carrier oil. I massage my scalp with this oil before I go to sleep. I always mix a bigger bottle of jojoba and essential oils and keep the prepared mixture in my fridge. I fill a little ear drop bottle with a small amount of the oil mixture and keep that next to my bed. Since I always read before I go to sleep, it's easy to get used to massaging my scalp while reading. I wipe the leftovers of the oil on my decollete which is happy about it, too. So are my fingernails.

In the morning, I wash my hair if I have to go out. I work at home most of the time so I can afford to keep the oil on my head for days if I want to. I love the smell.

I massage gently. In the beginning, I lost more hair after a massage than usual. After a while, it normalized. I think the hairfall after a scalp massage with oil means that hair which you would lose without noticing over the day (did you ever check the floor under your working chair?) comes out all at once. I don't know why it doesn't happen anymore now, maybe my roots have become stronger and the oil massage doesn't encourage weak hairs any more to fall out? But that's what happened.

Btw, I have added to this scalp massage a second step for the rest of my hair. I cover the lengths and tips with coconut oil or a mixture of coconut, avocado and olive oil, then I bun it. For me, the combination of jojoba for the scalp and coconut for the lengths is optimal.

I never thought I could have the hair that I have now. I'll go hunting for pictures and the exact recipe now ;-)

Recipe, copied from an old thread on the boards (highlighted are the oils I use):



The common factors in everybody's recipes, including the Aberdeen Study, Meg's method recipe and Chrome Dome, were Rosemary, Lavender, Thyme and Sage.

Texas Cedarwood is good for dandruff and dermatitis.
Clary Sage helps with dandruff and hair loss.
Sweet Basil aids with hair growth and dry skin.
Atlas cedarwood aids with seborrhea and dandruff.
Cypress stimulates skin circulation.
Geranium balances oil gland secretion.
Grapefruit aids hair growth and oily skin.
Lavender balances sebum and stimulates cleansing and detoxifying.
Lemon balances sebum and strengthens epidermus function.
Patchouli is good for oily hair and scalp.
Rosemary is good for oily hair, skin and dandruff.
Sage shines hair, promotes growth and reduces alopecia.
Thyme helps treat dandruff and hair loss.

I love the smell!

My hair in 2007:

http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/8616/vonvorn05gz7.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/235/vonvorn05gz7.jpg/)

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/1894/offen02ao6.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/248/offen02ao6.jpg/)

and in 2011:

http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/ae311/MataPics_2009/th_DSCF0003600x800.jpg (http://s983.photobucket.com/albums/ae311/MataPics_2009/?action=view&current=DSCF0003600x800.jpg)

http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/ae311/MataPics_2009/th_DSCF0001600x800.jpg (http://s983.photobucket.com/albums/ae311/MataPics_2009/?action=view&current=DSCF0001600x800.jpg)

You won't see success immediately. I believe that the hair grows healthier from the root. It gets optimal nourishment while it develops. But you will see this well nourished hair only after it grows down quite a bit.

Of course, healthy nutrition and good habits are necessary. No oil massage in the world can compensate for bad diet or damaging routines. It's the cherry on the cake - but a really wonderful cherry.

[Aredhel77]

I massage regularly but I never pay attention to whether it's stimulating my growth rate or not. I don't measure, so it's hard to say. My hair seems to grow quite well, though. And it is in a lot better condition.

I have a sensitive scalp so oiling it regularly and using essential oils helps soothe it. I'm having to do it daily at the moment, perhaps it's winter itch. I do get eczema in the winter anyway :mad:

[jojo]

I scalp massage every day twice a day using my BBB and yes I have seen not only faster (by 1/4" a month) but healthier looking re-growth! plus is feels very relaxing to do!

ETA I started using a BBB last April and was getting 1/4" a month, now I get 1/2"

[Madora]

I try and massage every day, just a little, and have noticed slight growth in the past 3 months (I do not use oil, only my fingerpads).

Massaging is beneficial for your hair..but it is primarily for the good of your hair follicles. It does nothing (that I could see) for increasing volume or thickness). It nourishes the root, which helps your hair grow.

HOW you massage makes a difference.

[CherrySilver]

I scalp massage every day twice a day using my BBB and yes I have seen not only faster (by 1/4" a month) but healthier looking re-growth! plus is feels very relaxing to do!

I'm also massaging twice a day, with a water-based topical, an oil-based infusion or just my fingers. My growth also has increased by about 1/4", but the biggest difference is with the reduced shed rate. I only loose a few hairs (usually can count them on one hand), most is from impatient combing. My temple hair and hairline is quite thick -- it's actually improved over the past few years I've been doing this!

[shikara]

AmazingGrace, thank you, but I'm interested in long term results of those who have already tried, so I know if the extra time is worth it or not! I know how, and what to use, but what I'm trying to figure out is....what are the real results? Thickness? Volume? Length? Ya know?

Included with a healthy lifestyle aids in hair health reaching its full strength and growing potential. With essential and carrier oil tonics, something else to consider though is its contribution to keeping unwanted conditions away, keeping the skin supple, healthy, and youthful, some balance hormones, all from which healthy hair can grow. Caring for your scalp, imho, is just as important, if not a little more so, than caring for your face, hands, and feet. Likely even many years from now, your hair and scalp will thank you for it!

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb328/lmarie29/th_44053aa6.jpg (http://s1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb328/lmarie29/?action=view&current=44053aa6.jpg)

[inkd]

Thank you, Melisande and everyone else for contributing excellent information to the thread.

As for me, I'm starting to see some great results, too. I've found that my hair is a lot softer and stronger, and doesn't shed nearly as much as before I started (thank goodness!). I've found that doing the scalp massage without any oil, and then using a BBB is an excellent way to distribute your natural sebum/oils. I've also noticed slightly faster growth, which is very exciting, since I'm participating in the "No Trims 2012" Challenge. :D

[inkd]

Bump :)
Updates?

[smartblonde21]

Just wanted to say that I, too have been having great results with scalp massage. I do it twice a day, once at night before bed, and once in the morning. I use a mixture of coconut oil and sweet almond oil with a couple drops of lavender EO to soothe my scalp. I have been doing this for about 3 months and have noticed faster growth and more volume in my flat hair. I have also noticed baby hairs growing in. When I massage I can feel them, lol.

[inkd]

Good to see others with good results. :) My hair is thickening in areas that were visibly thin when I started, and I'm still seeing super-fast growth. Very exciting!

[Dragon Faery]

I don't have any helpful contributions yet, but I'm subscribing, and will let you know a year from now what results I've seen. :)

[inkd]

Great! The more people participating, the more we'll know about the process! :flower:

[Toadstool]

my question is, how do you get the oil directly onto your scalp? I have very short hair but it still gets in the way, is that just because it's super thick, or am I misunderstanding something? I mean it's thick like if I go out in the rain I don't feel it through my hair.

[B-L]

I just dip my fingertips in the oil and start from the front, slowly moving my fingers to the back. I acctually do it like Habioku. You can se her's vids on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXSF-_gIqxc

[same_as]

Use your fingers kind of like a comb, right at your scalp. Move the pads of your fingers in circles as you so this, I find this way works the best for me.

[Toadstool]

Use your fingers kind of like a comb, right at your scalp. Move the pads of your fingers in circles as you so this, I find this way works the best for me.
Oh I see!
Thanks, and thanks for the link B-L, I will look it up now.

[phoepha]

This thread is very inspiring (especially when I read about all the great results). I'm going to try to do scalp massages more regularly, as now I do them only when I apply oil, which happens once a week.

[inkd]

my question is, how do you get the oil directly onto your scalp? I have very short hair but it still gets in the way, is that just because it's super thick, or am I misunderstanding something? I mean it's thick like if I go out in the rain I don't feel it through my hair.

Keeping most oils on your scalp for more than 30 minutes causes shedding in most people. I never use oil. The important thing is increasing circulation so that your scalp gets more nutrients. I take a hair skin and nails vitamin to help this along.

[gthlvrmx]

I'll be doing scalp massages for a whole year (as soon as i can move my hands better).

[Starry_Eyed]

This may be a dumb question, but if you guys oil your hair on a nightly basis, do you wash your hair every morning? I can barely stretch my washing out to every other day and I'm having a hard time imagining being able to going out in public with just rubbing my scalp *without* the oil because my scalp gets to greasy. Is there a trick to this?

I wonder if scalp massages every other day would show any benefits? Then I would just do it before I washed my hair . . .

[TiffanieJean]

I do a scalp message every time I condition my hair. I started about 1 1/2 yrs ago when I bought Nioxin because my hair was rapidly thinning after I had my son. I read reviews where other had said it both helped the scalp and made the product more effective. My hair is back to normal and has been growing faster than it did before I was pregnant. So, I would say that scalp message does help.

[Hairizona]

Just a question for those that do scalp massage daily and have seen results: What is the length of time that you are massaging?

[bouclée]

Just a question for those that do scalp massage daily and have seen results: What is the length of time that you are massaging?

That's an interesting question. I look forward to read what others say.
As far as I am concerned, I massage about 3 minutes in the morning and 10-30 minutes in the evening, it depends.

[B-L]

I do a scalp message every time I condition my hair. I started about 1 1/2 yrs ago when I bought Nioxin because my hair was rapidly thinning after I had my son. I read reviews where other had said it both helped the scalp and made the product more effective. My hair is back to normal and has been growing faster than it did before I was pregnant. So, I would say that scalp message does help.

Good to hear! I was also shedding like crazy after I had my boys. I'm stunned that I'm not bald! :D


I gotta ask.. How do you massage with a BBB? Just brusing the top of the head or? :)

[Sissilonghair]

This might help...
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=172

[inkd]

Just a question for those that do scalp massage daily and have seen results: What is the length of time that you are massaging?

Whenever you have the free time. Increased circulation means more growth, so generally, you can assume that the more you do it, the better your results will be.

[inkd]

Good to hear! I was also shedding like crazy after I had my boys. I'm stunned that I'm not bald! :D


I gotta ask.. How do you massage with a BBB? Just brusing the top of the head or? :)

The most beneficial thing that I have found is to use the BBB right after the SM (scalp massage). The scalp excreets extra amounts of sebum (I don't recommend using oil) during the SM. Using the BBB after distributes the sebum easily.

This has quite a few benefits:
- Makes your scalp much less greasy, allowing you to stretch your washes even further than you already thought possible
- Naturally conditions and protects your hair from splits better than any leave-in could
- Added scalp stimulation for even more increased circulation
- Removes dead skin cells (dander) from your scalp, allowing more oxygen and thus, better scalp health

There are probably more, but this is what I've gotten so far from personal expirience. I don't know if it is the SM alone, or the SM along with the BBB, but the corners of my hairline that were starting to recede have completely filled back in, and dramatically reduced shedding as well.

[inkd]

I do a scalp message every time I condition my hair. I started about 1 1/2 yrs ago when I bought Nioxin because my hair was rapidly thinning after I had my son. I read reviews where other had said it both helped the scalp and made the product more effective. My hair is back to normal and has been growing faster than it did before I was pregnant. So, I would say that scalp message does help.

Thank you for your contributuion, and welcome to the forum. :flower:

[ludwig20]

I gotta ask.. How do you massage with a BBB? Just brusing the top of the head or? :)

I personally love Madora's instructions on how to massage with a BBB. Here's the thread: http://www.longhaircommunity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68079

[Madora]

I personally love Madora's instructions on how to massage with a BBB. Here's the thread: http://www.longhaircommunity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68079

Thanks, ludwig20, but I want to clarify that those directions are for brushing with a bbb, not massaging.

I don't recommend using a brush to do the massaging.

Personally, I brush my hair before I massage, then use my fingerpads to massage in this way:

Bend at waist, detangle hair thoroughly (but gently!), brush it with my bbb, then using my fingerpads, grasp my scalp a little, then release, then move my fingers over a little bit, grasp the scalp again, release, and so forth. I work from front to back, then from crown on down. I don't use oil and only do it for 3 to 5 minutes.

Also, you derive more benefits from the massaging if you do it with your head down (helps with the blood circulating among the follicles). You can also lie on your bed with your head hanging over the edge and do it that way too.

[JuicyBabe]

Great to see people are noticing results from this too!!! (:
I've been doing scalp massage/hanging upside down for about..a month-ish now? I did it on and off before though. My hair used to grow .5-.75 a month but now it grows at LEAST 1 inch a month! AT LEAST. Then again, i've also been applying no heat, put a strike against dying it, and deep condition and baby my hair now...On top of that I've been religiously taking vitamins that are good for hair growth!
Either way, I'm keeping up with this till' September to see the results.

[terylenerose]

I have been massaging in the shower when I have the baking soda on my head. I don't know if it's as effective when your hair's wet, but it should be. I haven't gotten any results and I don't think I can be of any help because I am doing many things at once. And I'm not going to stop either, sorry. ;)

[Sillage]

I do facial massage and have seen good results with that-- not hair growth of course but better texture and tone. I think I'm going to give scalp massage a try :flower:

[constancev18]

Ok, I'm going to start this today. I'll report in 6 mos (Sept) to see if there's an improvement in growth-I usually grow .25 or .33 per month depending on if I'm exercising.

[Priska]

I'm also massaging twice a day, with a water-based topical, an oil-based infusion or just my fingers. My growth also has increased by about 1/4", but the biggest difference is with the reduced shed rate. I only loose a few hairs (usually can count them on one hand), most is from impatient combing. My temple hair and hairline is quite thick -- it's actually improved over the past few years I've been doing this!

Great to hear that scalp massaging can reduce shedding! Thanks!