Do you make regular blowout appointments because you want a fresh cut and color, or because you simply love the feeling of your hairdresser massaging your head? It's okay if your answer is "a little bit of both." While I highly doubt you're lucky enough to get a daily scalp massage from a professional, there is DIY hope. The best at-home scalp massagers aren't just wildly relaxing; they will also help products like hair oils and serums penetrate deeper into the scalp.
"Increasing the circulation throughout your scalp can also help to stimulate the follicles, leading to more effective hair growth. [Scalp massagers] can also be incredibly relaxing to use, as they release tension across the scalp," explains Helen Reavey, a board-certified trichologist and founder of Act+Acre. "With all that being said, the type of scalp massager you use is very important. The skin on your scalp is extremely fragile and actually ages six times faster than anywhere else, so taking proper care of it is crucial to overall hair health."
If you want to upgrade your shower experience, improve your hair growth, and indulge in a little in-shower rest and relaxation, read ahead. We have all the info on the best scalp massagers on the market—plus exactly how to use them.
The Best Scalp Massagers
- The Best Scalp Massager Overall: Ceremonia Scalp Massager
- The Best Electric Scalp Massager: Manta Pulse Hair Brush
- The Best Luxury Scalp Massager: Act+Acre Scalp Gua Sha Tool for Thicker + Fuller Looking Hair
- The Best Budget Scalp Massager: Conair The Basik Edition Scalp Massage Brush
- The Best Scalp Massager With Thin Bristles: Aveda Scalp Solutions Stimulating Scalp Massager
If you're looking for a daily alternative to your hairdresser's magical bowl massage, look no further than this special little scalp massager. Crafted to exfoliate the scalp and stimulate blood flow, Ceremonia's Scalp Massager promises to lift sebum and product buildup accumulating on your scalp between washes. Like your favorite boar bristle brush, it also helps distribute natural oils to boost your hair’s luster.
Material: Silicone and plastic
Hair Type: All hair types
Pros: Firm yet flexible bristles; Water resistant; Easy to hold; Works with all hair types and textures
Cons: None found
A scalp massager that does the massaging for you? It's not out of the question. The pulsing Manta brush was created to treat hair as gently as possible to minimize breakage. Press one time for tension relief (you'll receive 2000 pulsations per minute) or twice to increase blood flow (that's 4,000 pulsations per minute if you can believe it). And yes, it's waterproof for in-shower massage time.
Material: Plastic
Hair Type: All hair types
Pros: Gentle; Flexible; Waterproof; Can also be used as a normal scalp massager when turned off
Cons: More expensive than other options
If you're already a fan of facial gua sha, I have something very exciting to show you. A gorgeous addition to your nightstand, this Act+Acre Gua Sha tool was designed to gently massage your scalp, promoting microcirculation and increasing product absorption while relieving tension and tightness. I'll start using mine and quickly realize twenty minutes have melted away—it's that relaxing.
Material: Natural jade
Hair Type: All hair types
Pros: Expert-approved; Hand-carved; Doesn't pull your hair; Feels smooth, heavy, and nice to hold
Cons: More expensive than other options; Breakable
Don't let the price of this brush dissuade you—it's just as good, if not better, than its more expensive counterparts. Created to be used on wet or dry hair, Conair's The Basik Edition Scalp Massage Brush features wide-spaced massaging bristles and a concave design that's comfy to hold. And if you choose to keep it in the shower, don't fret: its flat design prevents mold and mildew from growing inside.
Material: Plastic
Hair Type: All hair types
Pros: Affordable; Easy to hold; Works on wet or dry hair
Cons: None found
The long, thin bristles on Aveda's Scalp Massager were a conscious design choice. With two levels of filaments at the ready—the longer ones touch the scalp (gentle, soft, rounded ball tips provide deep exfoliation), while the shorter filaments reach the hair itself—this massager helps to gently yet effectively lift impurities and increase microcirculation. Use it to distribute your haircare products evenly or just because you're in the mood for a sensorial treat.
Material: Plastic
Hair Type: All hair types
Pros: Flexible; Exfoliating; Especially great for detangling fine hair
Cons: None found
Also Recommended
Crafted with extra-long bristles to get through even the thickest heads of hair, the soft, flexible, and aptly-named Scalp-Thingy was ergonomically designed to fit comfortably in your hand—with a cute flower-shaped design to boot. Customers love it for its buildup-removing abilities, with one reviewer noting that it "does all the work so my fingers don't have to." Its silicone body also makes it easy to clean and extra nice to hold.
Material: Silicone
Hair Type: All hair types
Pros: Sturdy and cute design; Helps remove buildup; Comfortable to hold
Cons: None found
"I often joke that a scalp massage is the way to my heart. In the same way that others love a back or foot rub, I feel total body relaxation during a long, indulgent scalp massage," says Marie Claire beauty writer Gabrielle Ulubay. And while she'd ideally love to receive one from an aesthetician or a massage therapist, on a regular day she turns to this flexible scalp massager from Naturally Drenched. "Because the brand creates its products with curly and textured hair in mind, the tool never creates knots at my roots the way most scalp massagers do. It's firm yet flexible bristles relieve itching and irritation, and they help my favorite scalp oils absorb into my skin," Ulubay adds.
Material: Plastic
Hair Type: All hair types
Pros: Firm yet flexible; Relaxing; Doesn't tangle hair
Cons: None found
Super relaxing and ultra cute with its happy green color, Jooy's lightweight Scalp Stimulating Massager features soft rubber bristles to stimulate your scalp's surface and help boost the benefits of whatever products you pair it with. Although it's light, this little tool feels sturdy—and fits perfectly in the palm of your hand. Hang it in the shower, and never forget your scalp massage again.
Material: Rubber
Hair Type: All hair types
Pros: Comfortable to hold; Well made; Bristles have just enough give
Cons: None found
While the Sachajuan Scalp Brush offers a great massage on its own, its magic multiplies when paired with the brand's excellent deep cleansing Scalp Scrub. Crafted with silicone spikes to exfoliate dead skin cells and stimulate blood circulation and cell renewal in the scalp, all you have to do is massage in a circular motion and enjoy the benefits.
Material: Silicone
Hair Type: All hair types
Pros: Comfortable; Exfoliating; Simple design
Cons: None found
When crafting their scalp massager, Fable & Mane took a slightly different approach to design, forgoing the silicone spikes for an elegant wooden comb with rounded teeth. In the end, they came up with a functional product that gently detangles all hair types while offering a light, relieving massage. Reviewers with dense curls and fine strands alike have fallen in love with its nourishing and soothing capabilities.
Material: Wood
Hair Type: All hair types
Pros: Non-static; Eco-friendly; Gentle
Cons: Only for dry hair
Candace Thornton Spann, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist, designed the ergonomic ReTress scalp massager to be "used in the shower along with ReTress shampoo to gently remove any flaking or buildup on the scalp and stimulate microcirculation to the follicles." On a dry scalp, she suggests using it alongside ReTress serum to gently infuse the serum into the scalp to promote maximum efficacy. (And yes, you can also use it without products, wet or dry.)
Material: Silicone
Hair Type: All hair types
Pros: Expert-approved; Gentle; Can be used wet or dry
Cons: None found
What to Look For in a Scalp Massager
- Purpose
Whether you're looking to grasp relaxation in between appointments, hoping to stimulate hair growth, or want help with flakiness, you can find a scalp massager tailored to your individual needs.
"I like giving a little massage at the bowl for my clients to truly take a few seconds to relax. I feel like we have so much going on as humans so I like to provide some TLC for my clients, you never know what someone is going through and I find it’s a kind gesture that goes a long way," explains Isabella Sementilli, a hairstylist at Mare Salon in Los Angeles.
- Bristles
"I recommend steering clear of the scalp massagers made with stiff bristles, as they can be extremely rough on the scalp," explains Reavey. "I always try to tie scalp care back to your skincare routine—would you rub one of those massagers on your face? The answer is likely not, so I prefer opting for more gentle options such as a gua sha tool or a massager with fine, flexible bristles."
- Hair Type
While any scalp can benefit from a good massage, you want to make sure the scalp massager you choose works for your specific hair type. This can be a matter of personal preference—how do your strands feel when they're worked through your brush? You might prefer your bristles a bit further apart, or appreciate a more flexible silicone material.
Can a Scalp Massager Help With Hair Growth?
"Although there have been limited clinical studies, scalp massage does seem to help with hair growth," explains Dr. Spann. "In theory, decreasing stress and decreasing blood pressure should result in dilating blood vessels and therefore improving nourishment of follicles."
How Often Should You Use a Scalp Massager?
When it comes to brushing your hair, the general consensus is that you do it twice a day: once in the morning and once at night. The same goes for scalp massage, although you can really do it as often as you'd like—you can't overdo relaxation.
"Scalp massage must be gentle and should not result in any trauma to the scalp or pulling of the hair," adds Dr. Spann. "Scalp massage may be performed daily on a wet or dry scalp."
Isn't technological advancement amazing? Check out a scalp massager from 1900.
How to Use a Scalp Massager
There is nothing, I repeat nothing, like a good scalp massage. Growing up, "can you tickle my head?" was a phrase I heard as often as "I love you." There are numerous impressive modalities out there (Swedish, Shiatsu, etc.), but the best thing about a simple massage is that if it feels nice, you're doing it right.
However, if you would like some instructions, Reavey has them for you. You'll begin at the base of your scalp and apply gentle pressure, moving your tool in small, circular motions. "You don't want to press too hard or rub aggressively, as this can cause discomfort or damage your scalp," she adds. "Work through the hair in sections to stimulate the entire scalp."
And if you leave your tool at home, just use your fingertips—Reavey says it’s one of the best ways to massage the scalp and promote blood flow gently.
Meet the Experts
Board-certified trichologist and celebrity hairstylist Helen Reavey has always been passionate about scalp care as the root of how clean hair care works. When she couldn't find any clean, scalpcare products for her clients, she decided to create haircare industry disruptor Act+Acre: the world’s first Cold Processed hair wellness brand that focuses on your scalp. The Irish brand created and patented the Cold Processed technique for its plant-based formulations. Helen’s education-first approach to scalp, and ultimately hair care, has led to her regularly debunking hair myths while growing her celebrity fan list and a cult following
Candace Thornton Spann, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist in Las Vegas. As Co-Owner of Couture Dermatology & Plastic Surgery, her mission and promise to her patients is that they have both healthy skin and vibrant, gorgeous results. Dr. Candace Spann specializes, diagnoses and treats conditions of the skin for patients of all ages and skin types. Her areas of expertise include women’s hair loss, the prevention and treatment of various skin cancers, as well as the treatment of numerous skin disorders. She offers both dermatologic surgery for the removal of both cancerous and benign lesions, and is an expert in skin rejuvenation. For patients seeking cosmetic skin treatments, she offers countless nonsurgical treatment options for the signs of aging.
Canadian born, California raised hairstylist Isabella Sementilli specializes in cuts, styling, and extensions. She brings chic hair and the California "undone" aesthetic together for a beautiful, timeless look. Book with Isabella at Mare salon in West Hollywood.
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