Taking care of your hair is of the utmost importance if you want to avoid losing it. Hair maintenance can be done in several ways.
Depending on the type of barber that you’ve been to in the past, you might have noticed that they massage your scalp or at least offer to do so after it’s been cut - why do they do this?
Here we will look into scalp stimulation to find out how, and if, it works to boost hair growth.
Do growth massages work for growth?
Hair growth or regrowth is unlikely to occur as a result of massaging your scalp, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any benefits to the practice when performed gently.
For instance, Minoxidil works by increasing the blood flow to your scalp’s blood vessels, meaning your hair follicles can better absorb the nutrients and vitamins they need to grow healthy and strong hair.
However, there isn’t any reliable evidence to suggest that hair growth or regrowth is possible from massaging. All it does is create a better environment for your hair to thrive in and be revitalised.
There are numerous scalp massaging devices found online and some of them could hold benefits, but we would advise you to be cautious of claims that hair growth will happen as a result of using them.
This method of scalp stimulation might work for some men, but MHRA-approved medications such as Finasteride and Minoxidil are more likely to slow and even prevent further hair loss.
Is scratching ever beneficial for your hair?
When we feel itchy on our head, it can sometimes feel like an automatic response to address it by scratching it. The causes of hair itchiness can be because your scalp is reacting to a product with chemicals your body doesn’t like, or perhaps you have dandruff. Whatever the reason, scratching is rarely a good idea.
The feeling of scratching your scalp with your fingernails might offer some momentary relief, but there’s a chance there is dirt under your nails that could contaminate your hair follicles and introduce unwanted bacteria to those areas.
Not only this, but you might notice your scalp becomes red or inflamed because of scratching. This can cause further irritation and leave you feeling even itchier.
So, in summary, massaging your scalp now and then might have a few benefits that could revitalise your hair follicles to some degree, but scratching should be avoided so that your hair and scalp remain unbothered.
If you are experiencing hair loss, you can explore suitable treatments by taking our free consultation.
All of our blog articles are reviewed by our Medical Director before publication.
