The gentle perambulations of fingertips on your scalp as they weave through the tresses of your hair and tenderly massage your scalp.. is there really any other experience that matches the heavenly bliss of a good scalp massage?
While no one can argue regarding the divine joy a scalp massage brings, and that it is great for your hair, what is often ignored and massively underrated is the plethora of benefits a scalp massage offers for your whole body.
While it might sound incredible when we say that scalp massage can help you on your way to achieving the beautiful, flawless skin you have always desired, it is in fact, the very truth. Read on to find out how scalp massage is a blessing for your hair, skin, body, and mind.
Scalp massage is great for your hair
Massaging improves blood circulation to the scalp. This ensures better nutrient supply to the hair, thus promoting hair growth and helping it get longer, stronger, and more lustrous. Moreover, it removes the dead skin cells from the scalp and helps with flaky scalp, dandruff, and seborrheic dermatitis.
In fact, scalp massage should be a regular part of your hair care regimen – just 5-10 minutes, once or twice a week can bring about significant change in the texture, appearance, and volume of your tresses.
Tip: Simply massaging your scalp is not enough for healthy, lustrous hair. You will also have to eat a proper, wholesome diet and follow healthy lifestyle practices.
Scalp massage calms the mind and de-stresses the soul
Chronic stress is a prominent cause of premature aging. Stress leads to increased production of a hormone called cortisol which causes increased breakdown of collagen and elastin, the proteins in your skin that give it elasticity and keep it taut and supple. This can result in accelerated formation of wrinkles and fine lines. Cortisol also increases inflammation in the body and can exacerbate symptoms of hives, acne, rosacea, psoriasis, and other inflammatory conditions of the skin.
In other words, the soothing effect of a scalp massage is not limited to just your mind, but it relaxes your whole body and prevents wrinkles, fine lines, and premature aging that may otherwise have occurred due to stress.
Scalp massaging is helpful in headaches and migraines as well.
Scalp massage is known to increase the production of Serotonin
Serotonin is a hormone that plays a vital role in stabilizing your mood and enhances feelings of happiness and well-being. It affects your whole body and helps with many important bodily functions such as sleeping, eating, and digestion.
Great time for meditation
Take deep breaths during your scalp massage. You can turn your massage session into a mindful and soulful experience of meditation by combining it with breathing exercises.
Helps you sleep better
Scalp massage revitalizes your body from tiredness and fatigue, and also helps you sleep better. Since your body, especially your skin, heals and rejuvenates at night while you sleep, a night of healthy, peaceful sleep is indeed a major blessing for your skin and beauty.
How to massage your scalp?
Scalp massage is simple and you can get it done at your salon, or you can do it right at home! First, you will have to select the right kind of carrier oil – coconut or jojoba oils are usually the ones recommended by aestheticians. Coconut is preferred if you have a dry scalp, while jojoba, which is lighter, is recommended if you have an oily scalp. Next, if you want, you can add a few drops of aromatic oils to the mix – like menthol, peppermint, or eucalyptus oil. These bring a cooling sensation to the mix, and accentuate the soothing effect of a scalp massage.
Even if oil is not available, bare fingers are also enough for an effective scalp massage.
Scalp massage mainly consists of two types of motions – gentle, circular strokes (called ‘effleurage’), and gently kneading the scalp (known as ‘petrissage’).
Precautions while massaging your scalp
- Take care to be gentle, yet firm, while massaging your scalp.
- Avoid applying too much pressure or force while massaging, especially on sensitive areas like the temple region.
- Avoid using your nails for massaging.
- Make sure not to tangle your hair while massaging, as it can lead to hair damage and breakage.
A scalp massage is a form of gentle love and care for your scalp. It calms and soothes the mind and brings relaxation to the whole body. It promotes hair growth and helps make your hair healthier and shinier. It freshens you up, protects you from the deleterious effects of stress, and promotes happy feelings through the production of serotonin.