How to Do a Scalp Self-massage

Scalp massage helps relieve aches and pains in the forehead, neck, and head, and brings a sense of relaxation. Luckily, you don’t have to ask someone to give you a scalp massage. You can learn how to do a scalp massage at home without anyone’s help.

Table of Contents

Learn the basics of massage

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Find a comfortable seat. Choose a chair that is comfortable and has a firm backrest. Put your phone on vibrate and minimize background noise. You should even reduce the brightness of the lights in the room.

If you find music relaxing, turn it on but keep the volume down. Consider choosing instrumental music or a collection of pleasant natural sounds.
You will feel sleepy and mentally relaxed after the massage. Consider massaging two to three times per week before bed.

Marty Morales

Massage Therapist

Marty Morales is a massage therapist, founder and owner of Morales Method, a massage and conditioning facility in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles, California. Marty has over 16 years of experience as a massage therapist and over 13 years of experience training others in massage therapy. Marty has more than 10,000 hours of private practice and is a certified deep tissue masseur. He holds an MBA in finance from Loypa Marymount University, Los Angeles.

Marty Morales
Massage Therapist

Lie on your back and use a pillow to support your head to help your arms and shoulders work more lightly. Head massage means that your arms have to be raised continuously, making shoulder muscles tired.

Run your fingers through your hair from front to back. Use your fingertips and swipe in a straight line from front to back of your head. Gently press down with your hand, noting all the small protrusions on the scalp. Use moderate pressure, do not press so hard that you feel pain or discomfort. ^{[1] X Research Source}

Before the massage, make sure not to tie your hair in a ponytail or a bun at the back of your head. You should even brush your hair briefly to avoid getting your hands caught in tangles.

Move your hands in a circle from the front to the back of your head. Continue moving your hands from front to back. But this time you will use the tip of your finger to move in a circle while swiping your hand. Maintain light but steady pressure. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Reverse direction. Move your hands from behind to the front of your head. Repeat the motion in circles and straight lines. You’ll start from the hairline at the back and work your way up to the top of your head. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Repeat this movement from the sides of the head. Now it’s time to massage the sides of the head. Start at the front left side of the head. Move your hand up and down in a circle. Move your hands behind your head to the left. Repeat the same for the right side, massaging both the front and back on either side of the head. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Place your hands on your scalp and move your arms. Extend your fingers and make a C shape. Place your hands on either side of your head. The thumb will be right above the ear. Move arms from front to back, keeping fingertips resting on scalp. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

You should feel your scalp move a little forward and then back as you move your arm.

Pull gently on the ponytail if possible. Gather your hair back in a ponytail. Grab the ends of the hair and pull with very light force. ^{[6] X Research Source}

If you have short hair, you can also gather a small amount of hair, then gently twist and pull. Repeat this movement for different areas of the scalp. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Rub lightly around the ears to finish. Start placing your hands behind your ears. Use your thumb and fingertips to move in circles around the ear. Pay close attention to the earlobes. This is a very relaxing way to end a scalp massage. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Use more essential oils

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Choose an essential oil. Essential oils can help relax the mind and body with a pleasant aroma. You can choose essential oils to serve your hair care needs. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Lavender essential oil is suitable for moisturizing dry scalp.
Rosemary essential oil reduces oiliness in the hair.
Chamomile essential oil helps to soothe the itchy feeling on the scalp.
Tea tree oil is the best choice for dandruff, although lemon peel oil is also effective.
Peppermint essential oil has cooling properties and can stimulate hair growth.

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Choose a carrier oil. You should not apply pure essential oils directly to the scalp. Instead, you should add 8-10 drops of essential oil to about 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of carrier oil. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Coconut oil is very anti-dandruff and is generally good for the scalp.
Castor oil can help thicken hair.
Jojoba oil has mild moisturizing properties.
Olive oil is effective when used in combination with lavender or rosemary essential oils. ^{[11] X Research Source}

Pour the essential oil mixture over the top of the head. By this time you will have used about half of the mixture. Tilt your head slightly back when pouring to avoid getting in your eyes.

Use your hands to stroke all over the scalp. Move your hand from front to back and rub in a straight line. Repeat with circular motion. These movements will help the oil to spread evenly over the entire surface of the scalp.

At this point you will focus mainly on the scalp, not the hair.

Bend forward and pour oil over the back of your head. Bend your head forward until your chin touches your body. Pour the remaining mixture at the hairline at the back of the head. Use your hands to apply the oil forward.

Massage the entire head. Now that you have enough oil on your scalp, slowly massage the oil into your scalp. Go from front to back and vice versa. Massage both sides of the head. Massage in circles and straight lines. Pay close attention to areas where you feel stressed or tired.

You can also spend more time massaging your temples.

Rub the oil into your hair from root to tip. After massaging the entire scalp, you begin to move on to the hair. Gently massage the oil into your hair. Move from root to tip of each curl.

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Leave the oil in your hair for at least twenty minutes. To get the most out of essential oils, you need to leave the oil in your hair for a minimum of twenty minutes or overnight. You can wrap your hair neatly in a towel before going to bed.

For a salon-like effect, place the towel in the dryer for a few minutes to warm it up.
If you leave the oil in your hair overnight, place a towel over your pillow so it doesn’t get oily.
If your head starts to heat up and cause discomfort, or you feel pain, go wash your hair right away. If done properly, you should not feel any discomfort during this time.

Wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner. After incubating the oil in your hair for enough time, you will take a shower. Wash your hair with regular hair care products. Remember to massage your head for a few minutes while washing your hair. ^{[12] X Research Source}

No need to wait until the next morning to wash off the oil. If oil gets on your face, wash your face immediately. You should not leave the oil on your skin overnight. Remember to wash your hands after you finish massaging your scalp.

Advice

Proper head massage can eliminate or minimize headaches.
To get the most out of a scalp massage, you should massage it at least once a week. ^{[13] X Research Source}
You can also buy head massagers online but their prices are quite high. ^{[14] X Research Source}

Warning

Do not massage the scalp too rough. You can cut your hair if you pull too hard.
Watch for signs of an allergy to essential oils, and seek medical attention immediately if you notice a skin rash.
Don’t plan to work or drive after having a scalp massage.

Things you need

A comfortable seat
Oil
Shampoo and Conditioner
Towel

Steps

Learn the basics of massage

Use more essential oils

Advice

Warning

Things you need

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