Can a Scalp Massage Help With Hair Growth

A scalp massage is known for its ability to provide relaxation. Some research also supports its use to improve hair growth. A scalp massage can be done at home using your hands or a scalp massage tool.
This article will cover the benefits of a scalp massage, other hair growth tips, and who should avoid scalp massaging.

Does a Scalp Massage Help Hair Growth?
There is limited research to support scalp massage for hair growth. Two studies do show the beneficial effects of massage. The first study, from 2016, found that scalp massage can increase hair thickness.
The study examined nine males who received a four-minute scalp massage with a massage device once daily for 24 days. It is believed that the massage caused mechanical stress on the dermal papilla cells, causing a change that increased hair thickness.1

The second study, from 2019, supported the 2016 research and found that massage improved hair thickness in non-balding males.2
These studies support the idea that massage can influence hair growth patterns. However, due to the small study size, more research is needed to support these findings.

Other Scalp Massage Benefits

Scalp massage not only improves hair thickness but also lowers stress hormones and blood pressure.
Another benefit of scalp massage is that it can relieve migraines and tension headaches.
Migraines are severe headaches that cause significant pain on one side of the head. It can be accompanied by light sensitivity, nausea, and vomiting.4 A small study showed that massage in several areas, including the head, improved migraine symptoms.5 More research is needed to support these findings.

Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. It is pain felt in the head, often described as a band squeezing the head. It’s typically caused by muscle tension in the area.6
According to the American Massage Therapy Association, massage can treat tension headaches. The source recommends finding a professional massage therapist who is familiar with tension headache massage.7