Scalp Massager for Hair Growth: What the Research Really Shows
B MishraUpdated October 27, 20265 min readWe earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It never decides which product we recommend. How we make money
Does a scalp massager help hair growth?
Possibly a little, but the evidence is thin. The study most often cited, published in Eplasty in 2016, followed nine men who used a scalp massage device for four minutes a day. After 24 weeks their hair was slightly thicker. There was no comparison group, and the study measured hair thickness, not new hair. A scalp massager is a pleasant, low-risk habit, but it isn’t a treatment for hair loss.
Key takeaways
- One small 2016 study found slightly thicker hair after 24 weeks of daily scalp massage with a device.
- A 2016 study in office workers found regular scalp massage lowered stress hormones and blood pressure. That massage was done by hand.
- Scalp massagers are cheap and low risk. Manual brushes cost under $10; electric ones about $25 to $40.
- If you’re losing hair, see a doctor or dermatologist. There are proven treatments.
What is a scalp massager?
A scalp massager is a hand-held tool with soft bristles, nodes or rotating heads that press and move the skin of the scalp. There are two main types:
- Manual scalp brushes: soft silicone bristles that you move by hand, often used in the shower with shampoo.
- Electric scalp massagers: battery-powered heads with silicone nodes that rotate or knead. Many are waterproof.
Can massage make hair grow faster?
In the 2016 Eplasty study by Koyama and colleagues, nine healthy Japanese men used a scalp massage device for four minutes a day. After 24 weeks, average hair thickness increased from 0.085 mm to 0.092 mm. In lab tests, the researchers found that stretching hair-follicle cells changed the activity of genes linked to the hair cycle. The study was very small and had no comparison group, so it can’t show that massage causes hair to grow.
There’s no good evidence that a scalp massager regrows hair in pattern baldness. Dermatologists have treatments with much stronger evidence, so if you’re worried about thinning hair, see a doctor.
Other benefits of scalp massage
Scalp massage feels relaxing for most people. In a 2016 study in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 34 female office workers had a 15 or 25-minute scalp massage twice a week for 10 weeks. Compared with a group who had no massage, they showed lower levels of the stress hormones cortisol and norepinephrine and lower blood pressure. Those massages were given by hand.
Scalp massagers worth considering
Four rotating heads with 84 soft silicone nodes, two speeds, IPX7 waterproofing and about two hours per charge. It has a 4.4 average from over 8,000 ratings.
Four heads, four modes, IPX7 waterproofing and about two hours per charge.
A soft silicone shampoo brush with a 4.6 average from over 154,000 ratings. It’s the cheapest way to start a daily scalp massage habit.
See all our picks in the best electric head massagers guide.
How to use a scalp massager
- Detangle firstComb long hair before using a rotating massager.
- Use gentle pressureMove slowly in small circles; don’t scrub.
- Keep it shortAbout 4 to 5 minutes a day, as in the 2016 hair study, is plenty.
- Use it wet or dryWaterproof models can be used in the shower with shampoo.
- Clean itRinse the heads after use and let them dry.
See a doctor or dermatologist if…
You notice sudden or patchy hair loss, a sore, scaly or itchy scalp, or hair loss with other symptoms such as tiredness or weight change. Don’t use a scalp massager on broken, infected or inflamed skin.
How we wrote this guide
We rewrote this article in October 2026 using the 2016 Eplasty and Journal of Physical Therapy Science studies, and checked product prices, sellers and ratings on Amazon. We haven’t physically tested these massagers. See how we test.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take a scalp massager to work for hair growth?
In the 2016 study, the small change in thickness was measured after 24 weeks of daily use. There’s no reliable evidence of faster results.
Should I use a scalp massager wet or dry?
Either. Use a waterproof model in the shower, or a dry one to relax.
Can a scalp massager damage hair?
Rough scrubbing can tangle or break hair. Use soft silicone heads and gentle pressure.
Do scalp massagers help dandruff?
A brush can help spread shampoo and lift flakes, but dandruff itself is treated with medicated shampoos.
B Mishra writes RightMassager’s buying guides, comparing massager specs, prices and owner feedback against published research. More about our team
Sources
- Koyama T, et al. Standardized scalp massage results in increased hair thickness. Eplasty, 2016
- Kim I-H, et al. The effect of a scalp massage on stress hormone, blood pressure, and heart rate. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 2016
- Amazon: COMFIER scalp massager
- Amazon: cotsoco scalp massager
- Amazon: HEETA scalp brush
