Scalp massagers may promote hair growth — here are the best ones to shop
You shouldn’t be using one to scrape your scalp, but instead as a way to stimulate blood flow, which is key for healthy hair.
Ocoa Scalp Massager
$undefined
$12.98
For most people, scalp massagers won’t be the sole reason for hair growth. “However, in certain circumstances, they can help by decreasing an inflammatory cascade impacting the hair follicles, helping stimulate blood flow and removing microbes that are impairing growth,” says William Gaunitz, a certified trichologist and founder of Advanced Trichology. So, they help support a healthier scalp environment, which can in turn help healthy hair growth.
Some studies support that: A small study in 2016 found that four minutes of scalp massage a day over the course of six months led to increased hair thickness in men. Another study published in 2019 found that scalp massage could even help improve alopecia.
“I typically use scalp massagers with a broader treatment plan to improve overall results rather than trying to use it as a single solution,” says Gaunitz. Typical treatments for hair growth include oral medication, topical solutions like minoxidil and various dermatology treatments, including platelet-rich plasma injections (PRP) or prescription-only laser caps, according to experts in our guide to thinning hair treatments.
If you are using a scalp massager to stimulate growth, you should use one three times a week for 15 minutes, typically right before you take a shower, says Gaunitz. “The scalp massage is going to increase blood flow and exfoliate the scalp. It’s best followed by shampoo and then a topical scalp serum,” he says.
I asked hair experts (including a trichologist specializing in natural textures) and dermatologists for their recommendations for the best scalp massagers. Here’s what to keep in mind based on their guidance:
The most important characteristic to look for in a scalp brush or scalp massager is soft bristles, according to Lolis and Halim. Using a scalp brush should feel good, like a relaxing massage. If you feel any discomfort or scraping, the bristles are too hard. Below, I compiled the best scalp brushes and massagers recommended by experts and NBC Select editors.
This brush is bendy and the bristles can mold to the shape of your scalp, says Lolis. The bristles also won’t snag your hair, which is key, she says. It’s suitable for all hair types, from fine to coily, and you can even use it if you wear extensions, according to the brand.
Tangle Teezer’s version of the classic scalp brush also comes recommended by the International Trichology Congress, an educational and professional platform for certified scalp experts. Afope Atoyebi, a UK-based, certified trichologist specializing in natural hair textures, likes it for its two-tier bristle design, which makes it a brush and massager hybrid — its long flexible bristles exfoliate the scalp and remove flakes, while shorter firmer bristles stimulate circulation and boost blood flow to the scalp, according to the brand. Consider this a do-it-all scalp tool: you can use it in or out of the shower and with or without product.
If you have dandruff or oily hair, Lolis recommends this Jupiter scalp brush because of its firm but not too firm bristles, which are still gentle enough for everyday use, according to the brand. “If you want to really exfoliate the scalp or have extra sebum production, I like this one,” she says. Its small size also makes it ideal for travel.
This Ocoa scalp massager is a favorite of NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio, who uses it every time she washes her hair (about once every two to three days). “I have very fine hair, so most scalp massagers cause a lot of breakage. This one has soft silicone bristles that don’t tug or pull at my hair, so I’m never worried about it damaging my roots,” she says. It’s also very easy to hold and small enough to take it comfortably on the go, says Godio.
Lolis likes this option from Leonor Greyl as an in-shower massager. “The bristles are the perfect combination of soft and strong,” she says. “It helps enhance product penetration, eliminate dandruff and residue, while making your scalp feel so nice and nourished.”
For a more wallet-friendly option, Dr. Navin Arora, board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor at the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, likes this sub-$10 option. “You can use it every time you shampoo or with a scalp oil,” to help lift any flakes and buildup while also promoting circulation, he says.
This scalp massager comes recommended by NBC Select SEO editor Nikki Brown, who uses it exclusively in the shower during and after shampooing. “The silicone bristles are really gentle, which I appreciate: I think there’s this unhealthy assumption that natural hair is tough and resilient, but it actually requires a lot of gentle care, in my experience,” says Brown. “I don’t have any major scalp issues and I think it’s partly because I’m using this massager to get the blood flowing up there once or twice a week. I also have long-ish acrylic nails so this decreases the risk of the tips scratching my scalp.” You can use the massager on both wet and dry hair, and it’s great for applying dry shampoo, too, according to the brand.
Vibrating scalp massagers aren’t technically necessary, according to the experts I spoke with; though, theoretically, the gentle vibration may help enhance the circulation and product penetration benefits of good old-fashioned manual massage, says Atoyebi. Arora says patients in his practice really seem to like the Comfier Cordless Hair Scalp Massager. It has four intensity modes and you can use it on the scalp, neck and back, according to the brand.
“For people with textured hair, I really, really like the Tangle Teezer brushes,” says Atoyebi. Each brush is designed with a specific range of hair types in mind, from fine and fragile, to thick and curly. The Naturally Curly Brush has two lengths of bristles distributed over a wide surface area, which, in effect, spreads out the tension that you are applying to each section of your scalp as you brush. “This helps to prevent things like pulling out hairs or putting tension on your scalp unnecessarily, which in the long run contributes to weakening follicles,” says Atoyebi.
The Wet Brush is a classic, dubbed the “original detangler.” The widely spaced bristles glide through hair with less damage, according to the brand, and the rubber tips make it suitable for a little scalp stimulation, says Arora. It’s a good one-size-fits-most brush that he personally uses on both of his daughters who have different hair types.
To find the right scalp brush for you, experts recommend considering your hair type and scalp condition. Here’s what to identify before you buy:
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I’m a journalist and former Glamour editor who has covered beauty and wellness treatments for over a decade. For this article, I spoke to five dermatologists, a hair restoration expert and a trichologist specializing in natural textures about the importance of scalp health and the best scalp brushes and massagers that will work for various hair types and textures.
Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.
