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Half the joy of going for a haircut is that ever-so-cathartic scalp massage at the shampoo bowl. You know, the one with a glorious lather that leaves your head feeling lighter and scalp refreshed and tingly. Needless to say, our scalps—and increasingly tense minds—are in need of reinvigoration. Just ask Bridgette Hill, also known as The Scalp Therapist, a trichologist and colorist at Paul Labrecque Salon & Spa.
In terms of hair health, building scalp awareness and giving yourself a weekly detoxing scalp massage offers a multitude of benefits, from exfoliating away flakes and build-up, to boosting blood flow to increase circulation and hair growth. Did we mention that it feels pretty damn good, too? If you’re at a loss for where to start, investing in a hairbrush with scalp-massaging elements is a good place to start. “While nothing replaces the human touch, encouraging stimulation with a scalp brush can help,” says Hill.
Tomoko Shima, the founder of New York City’s Tomoko Shima Salon, a head spa that offers the works for scalps in need of extra TLC, from a follicle-opening steaming session to a balancing deep-tissue massage, is in agreement. “Japanese people care deeply about healthy hair and know that stimulating the circulation in the scalp helps deliver nutrients to the hair follicles,” explains Shima, who recommends an electric vibrating scalp brush to clients who want to keep their scalps energized in between professional treatments. “It helps to stimulate the circulation of the scalp and aid in a deep pore cleansing, as well as release tension that we often store in our scalp,” she explains. “It can often be seen when people raise their eyebrows or bring their eyebrows together—this reflects the tension that we are hoping to release.”
From a high-tech LED light therapy model to an ergonomic in-shower favorite that works wonders for textured hair, here are eleven brushes that will dramatically improve scalp health, and help you relax, at last.
When British hairstylist Tim Binnington saw how hard it was for his wife to find a brush that was lightweight and flexible enough for her delicate post-chemo hair, he sought to create a brush that was “as gentle as running your fingers through your hair.” The Manta brush’s easy-grip handle and malleable, 360-degree rotating bristles offer maximum control and a soothing massage for even the most sensitive scalps.
This cutting-edge paddle brush comes complete with LED light therapy that helps spur hair growth on a cellular level. “It combines LED light technology that's similar to what is used in a trichological practice with a massage feature with properly designed hair bristles that do not harm the hair fibers,” explains Hill.
It’s worth repeating: In Japan, scalp massages are all-business. And the same can be said for Osaka-based S-Heart-S ’s cult-favorite Scalp Brush, which is designed for snag-free detangling and increasing microcirculation with its special rounded tip nylon bristles. Take the head spa home!
For decades, French women have relied on the luxurious custom scalp massages offered at the Leonor Greyl Institute in Paris. Now, you can recreate the experience at home with the heritage brand's new scalp scrubber, which helps lather up shampoo and deeply exfoliate for a softer, suppler scalp.
Inspired by acupuncture, Curltastic's Shampoo Massage Brush, which like its beloved detangling Wonderbrush, is designed for textured hair types (3A-4C), features thick, flexible bristles that knead pressure points to promote blood flow during a deep cleanse.
For an extra sensorial scalp massage, try Ceremonia’s Scalp Masajeador brush in tandem with their Aceite de Moska oil, which is inspired by a tried-and-true treatment originating in the Dominican Republic that works to restore and conditions the scalp.
