Every time I look up, there’s some new hair care product on the market promising to do the one thing that consumers want more than anything: stimulate healthy hair growth. There is no shortage of shampoos, conditioners, elixirs and oils that promise to grow hair long and strong. If you’re one of the millions who have plopped down your hard earned money, only to have your hopes dashed by yet another failed product, you’re not alone.
Like nutrition and fitness (trust me… this is my area), many people have a hard time stripping down their care routines and giving their body the core things that it actually needs to survive. Instead they’d rather pile on supplements… and in the case of hair care, products… and hope that it does the job for them. In addition to keeping your hair/scalp clean and conditioned (and balancing your nutrition with foods that contribute to a healthy and hearty blood flow), you can also stimulate hair growth through scalp massage.
There are plenty of different ways to perform a scalp massage, from fingers to specialized tools and even combs and brushes. What I use for scalp massage depends on the state of my hair. I have a massager with silicone studs that I use when my hair is wet, and I have specially made wooden combs and brushes to use when my hair is dry. I made the switch from plastics to wood years ago, and it has made all the difference in the health of my hair.
Scalp massage doesn’t have to be vigorous (and certainly not painful) in order for it to be effective. Be mindful not to tangle your roots, and apply short firm strokes with your tool of choice. Regular scalp massage promotes circulation, which is key for a healthy scalp. And a healthy scalp is more likely to encourage more hair growth… and produce hair that is strong and resistant to splitting and breakage.
When it comes to hair care, every little bit helps. But know that you do not have to spend an insane amount of money on tools or products to help facilitate healthy hair growth (I mean seriously, my wet hair massager is less than $6, and although they have expensive items, Tan Mujiang also has a few combs in the $30 range… which I own as well). It has been my experience that wood tools are much more effective than their plastic varieties, regardless of manufacturer or price. They reduce the risk of snagging tangled hair, and help more efficiently distribute natural oils from root to tip.
Like any other part of your body, you’ll find that hair care is reciprocal. Take care of your hair, and it will take care of you by literally embodying the essence of a Crowning Glory.