Do you remember the last time you massaged your scalp? The relaxation that follows even
after a mild scalp massage is phenomenal! Scalp massage should be included in the list of
favorite effortless pleasures. It no doubt eases stress and tension, but did you know some
studies have found that scalp massage could also promote hair growth? Other than this there
are various other health benefits a scalp massage could provide.

Eager to know everything about scalp massage? This article will help you demystify this traditional Ayurvedic practice for hair care and overall wellness.

What Is A Scalp Massage?

To begin with, first, let us understand what exactly is a scalp massage. A simple massage that is focused on the scalp area is a scalp massage. There are many techniques of scalp massage based on personal preferences and the area of the scalp that is massaged. Scalp massage mainly involves the use of your fingers and at times the palm for effective rubbing of the scalp. Some devices available in the market are able to mimic the pressure of your finger-tips for effective massaging.

It is common knowledge that most of us accumulate lots of stress and tension towards the hairline, behind the ears, and neck. This could be due to excess stressing of those regions due to sedentary work lifestyles or even due to poor posture. We often disregard this tension; however, a good massage of the scalp could reverse the strain you feel as it is a highly relaxing experience.

Ayurvedic Significance of A Scalp Massage

Scalp massages are an ancient therapeutic Ayurvedic treatment that has been practiced in India for 5000+ years. As per Ayurveda, there are 108 vital points in our body called ‘Marmas’ in which 31 marmas are present in your head region. They are the pressure points where the arteries, veins, and cranial nerves intersect. 

These Marma points aid in draining, cooling, and relieving pressure in the head region. Massaging these pressure points boosts blood circulation and promotes healthy and stronger hair growth.
There’s a popular term for a head massage in Ayurveda - Shiroabhyanga. Shiro Abhyanga is a Sanskrit term consisting of two words: Shiro (head) and Abhyanga (massage). Shiro Abhyanga refers to a complete massage of the head, neck, and shoulders using pure Ayurvedic herbal oils.

Read - 10 Best Hair Growth Oils Recommended By Ayurveda

According to Ayurveda, scalp massage does a lot more than soothing your senses. Can scalp massages boost hair growth? Is it possible to improve your hair thickness and density with regular scalp massages? Let’s explore the answers to these questions in the next section.

Does A Scalp Massage Help With Hair Growth?

Hair growth is the greatest benefit that could be linked to a scalp massage. Not many would believe this until you know the reason. Did you know that according to researchers and hair experts, strong and dense hair depends on a healthy diet, proper nutrition, and good blood circulation? 

Theoretically speaking, what happens when you give yourself a regular scalp massage is that the attention given to the scalp through gentle massage enhances the blood flow in that area. Along with that, it guides the flow of oxygen and nutrients towards those areas. This is more helpful for those who have a tense scalp. The built-up tension often restricts efficient blood flow in the head. Massaging it relaxes the tension in and around the area and allows proper blood flow.  

There has also been a study conducted in 2016, where a small group of men was given a four-minute scalp massage on a daily basis for 24 weeks. At the end of the study, the researchers concluded that there was an increase in hair thickness. Another recent study conducted in 2019, states that around 300 or so participants were told to follow a certain massage regimen, after which, nearly 70% of participants delineated increased hair thickness towards the end.

Hence, we could conclude that scalp massages do increase your hair growth. Curious to try your hand at giving yourself a relaxing massage? We have the complete guide chalked out for you.

How To Massage Your Scalp - The Complete Guide

Many times, before beginning with a scalp massage we are unaware of the process and steps on how to go about it. An intense scalp massage with improper technique might leave you with pain in your head, arms, or shoulders. The following guide would provide you a detailed insight on how you should begin, perform and end the routine of scalp massage.

1. Relax yourself

First and foremost find yourself a relaxing place where you could comfortably sit. A sturdy chair with back support and cushions or pillow under your arms could just do the job. Disconnect all sorts of electronic gadgets and switch off background noises. You can play soft and light instrumental music. You may even want to dim the lights.

2. Run your hands from the front of your scalp to the back

First, dip your fingers in the oil most suitable for you, and then using the tip of your fingers gently move from the front area of the scalp towards the back in a gentle straight motion. Apply pressure downwards, however, do not apply an excessive amount of pressure that you feel pain or discomfort. Allow your hair to be loose and open, you could brush your hair at the beginning to avoid discontinuity in the massage because of tangles.

3. Use circular motions

Again, move from the front portion of your scalp to the back however, this time use the tips of your fingers to make small circles. Remember to maintain the same pressure as before and keep it steady. Also, keep adding oil as and when required.

4. Reverse the direction

Now, gradually begin to reverse the direction, pour oil on the scalp, and massage from back to front as you move your fingers across the scalp. Perform both, the straight as well as the circular motion as you begin from the bottom of the hairline and work your way up towards the crown.

5. Perform the same movement at the sides

Now, let’s focus on the sides of your head. You could start either from left or right, from the front. First, perform the up and down motion then repeat it in circles. Gradually begin to move to the base of your head. After doing both the sides move to the next.

6. Tug your hair into a ponytail

Apply the oil over your hair and collect all your hair into a ponytail if it is long enough and gradually tug your hair in a circular motion. If you have shorter hair you could make sections of hair around your scalp, twist it and do the massage. 

7. Rub your ears to wind up

Lastly, lift your hands in such a way that it is right behind your ears. Then, use your thumbs and tips of the finger and gently make circles around the ear. Gently press your ear lobes as well as the depression right behind your ear lobes. And finally, with this, you can conclude your massage.

It is necessary to apply oil as you massage your hair, the next section would give you an insight about the oils that would be the most suitable while massaging the scalp.

There are also brushes and massage tools available in the market that could assist you in massaging the scalp. Few dermatologists believe in using a scalp massager, however, others suggest that using the fingertips would do just fine. You can work these massage tools across the scalp and head in a similar fashion as you would while using your finger-tips.

Best Oils To Use For A Scalp Massage

You may wonder about the need of using oil while massaging the hair. Well, oil works as a lubricant, without oil your hair could break easily under all the friction occurring while massaging. Other than this, oiling the scalp and hair and the aroma of the oil has many benefits, hence the following is a list of oil that could be used for scalp massage.

Carrier oil -

Take two tablespoons of your carrier oil and massage it thoroughly on your scalp. You could select Organic Coconut Oil in case you have dandruff issues or a dry scalp. Organic Sesame Oil could be used to reverse damage caused by the environment or the heat appliances. Organic Sweet Almond oil could be utilized to condition and soothe an itchy scalp. You can use these oils directly or add a few drops of essential oils to further enhance your massage experience.

Shop Kama Ayurveda Scalp Massage Oils

Read - Best Hair Oil For Your Hair Type - How To Find The Right One?

Essential oil-

Adding certain essential oils can give you the relaxation of mind and body, as their aroma is quite relaxing. However, always remember that you cannot directly apply essential oil on your scalp or hair in its undiluted form as it is highly concentrated and could cause adverse reactions. Hence, it is necessary to add the essential oil to suitable carrier oil. Add around 4 to 5 drops of essential oil to 2 tablespoons of carrier oil.

Lavender Essential Oil helps moisturize the scalp and boosts hair growth. Peppermint Essential Oil is suitable for you if you have an oily scalp.  The peppermint oil is best known for its ability to stimulate hair growth and bestow a cooling effect on the scalp. Chamomile oil can also be used as it works by soothing the scalp and can give relief from itchiness as well. Tea Tree Essential Oil and Lemongrass Essential oil both work wonders while combating dandruff-prone scalp. 

Read - 12 Best Essential Oils For Hair That Work Wonders

In this manner, you could select a carrier oil and essential oil based on your preference. Now, as we have covered the oils and methods of doing the massage, let us explore some other benefits of performing a scalp massage.

8. Top Benefits Of A Scalp Massage

Reduces stress-

A delicate massage of the scalp can purport a sense of relaxation and reduce stress-releasing hormones. A certain study on female office workers also proves that a scalp massage given twice during the week had a positive effect on the stress hormone and aids in controlling the blood pressure and heart rate as well. Stress at times plays a significant role in hair loss. Hence, the alleviation of stress could also reduce hair-fall.

Aids in hair growth-

Massages strengthen the hair follicles and also studies state that massaging of the scalp can stimulate hair growth and reduce hair fall.

Increases thickness-

As the hair growth of the scalp increases, there is a visible difference seen, even in the thickness. The scalp seems to be fuller and your ponytails would surely go thicker!

Could lessen Alopecia related hair loss-

Alopecia is an autoimmune disorder because of which the hair falls off at times even in patches. This disorder may also cause total hair loss of the scalp. However, self-reports have suggested that nearly 69% of individuals with alopecia were able to regrow their hair with daily scalp massages.

Eases headaches and migraine

Headaches caused by stress could be reduced with an optimal scalp massage. The feeling of calmness lightens the mood and removes the stress and tension that could be causing the headache. Did you know that scalp massages could also eliminate feelings of anxiety and depression? As massages improve your mood and the blood flow, it contributes towards the onset of positive emotions.

Boosts the immune system-

Did you know that massages could also improve the immune system of your body? Studies indicate that there is a connection between the immune system and massaging (not specifically the scalp). Regular massages have been reported to cause measurable changes in a person’s immune and endocrine responses.

Increases the healing ability of the body-

This advantage is related to circulation. As a scalp massage could improve the blood circulation of the scalp, the wound repairing response of our body is strongly interconnected to the same. It is said that the healing response of the body for wounds and bruises is related to the blood cells and nutrients that reach the area. So, with an enhanced blood flow, our body would be in a better position to heal wounds than with those who have poor blood circulation. 

Alleviates pain and discomfort-

As the massage induces a sense of relaxation and well-being, any kind of pain in the body seems to be alleviated as the body comes under a state of tranquility. Gentle massages of specific body parts that are causing pain especially due to overworked muscles would also be beneficial.

Now, as we have looked at the benefits of scalp massage, next let us have a look at the frequency of massaging the scalp.

How often should you give yourself a scalp massage?

A scalp massage could be undertaken weekly or on a daily basis based on your preference and schedule. In case you are somebody who is just beginning with scalp massages, doing it daily for about 5-8 minutes could work wonders. Doing it daily would give you maximum benefits of scalp massage. If you look at it as a means to soothe and unwind occasionally, you could also pamper yourself with a scalp massage a few times a week.

With this, we have come to the end of the article, we have covered topics such as what is scalp massage, the benefits, how we need to massage the scalp, which oil needs to be utilized, and lastly how often we should be doing the same. So, the next time remembers to spare a few minutes of your day to massage your scalp and reap the benefits it bestows.

Face packs, face masks…. same thing, correct? Well, not really! It is a commonly held notion that the term ‘face pack’ and ‘face mask’ can be used interchangeably. After all, they are both applied the same way and seemingly give the same benefits.

Indeed, face masks and face packs may give similar outcomes if their ingredients and composition (and therefore, benefits) are similar. However, they differ in the manner of delivering these benefits. It is not as subtle as it seems, because this difference does reflect in the texture of the packs and masks and the way in which they settle on the skin.

‘SETTING AND SITTING’

In terms of texture and consistency, a face pack usually tends to be thicker and denser than a mask. It does not just ‘sit’ on your skin, it tends to ‘set’ – which is why it is usually advised to not talk or move your facial muscles too much when you have a pack on. Removing a pack takes just a little bit more time and effort in comparison to a mask, for this very reason.

If both, a pack and a mask require some DIY blending into a paste before usage, you might find that there is no difference at all during the preparation stage. When you cannot see the difference, you will be able to feel it. A pack tends to ‘cling’ to your skin, whereas a mask, though it may sit as evenly and firmly, may feel like a ‘spread’ or ‘covering’ rather than as a ‘cast’ or ‘mould.’

HEALING & REJUVENATION

The hard and fast differentiation is neither necessary, nor is it meant to be misleading. But, a good way to understand the unique functionality and benefits of packs and masks, is to view packs as ‘healing’ and masks as ‘rejuvenating.’

Technically, if your skin is healing, it is on the road to rejuvenation. If it is rejuvenating, this is only possible in a long-lasting sense, if there is a strong foundation of restoration and revival

But, if, for example, you are looking to reduce the intensity of a long-standing acne problem, you might use a pack, as a remedy.

If you are looking to reduce the frequency of this problem, you might use a mask, as a preventive and maintenance measure.

A pack might be something to opt for, when you have more time on your hands, say, on a free weekend, when you can give it some time to set on your skin and draw out the impurities. A mask might be the preferred option, when you need something more time-efficient, but equally effective, something that encourages a reflection of the benefits in the appearance of your skin (complexion) as well.

In a very traditional sense, while facial packs are stars of slow beauty rituals, masks are the saviours of contemporary lifestyles, where the pervasive effects of stress on skin make it dull, lacklustre and tired.

SLOW OR ON-THE-GO, KAMA AYURVEDA HAS SOMETHING FOR YOU.

The Suvarna Haldi Chandan Brightening Face Pack is our latest launch for clear, even-toned, luminous skin. It joins the therapeutic Nimrah Anti Acne Face Pack, ideal for mild to severe cases of acne and textural irregularities because of acne scars, pits and blemishes. We also have the Lavanya Natural Plant Mask, for visibly improved and evident freshness and brightness.

Please remember, the brightness and newness you feel or see after the application of a pack or mask has nothing to do with ‘fairness’ or ‘lightness’ of skin tone. Luminous skin does not mean light skin, it means clean, even and clear skin. The journey towards achieving such internal health and outward flawlessness has to do with reacquainting yourself with the uniqueness of your natural beauty and doing what it takes to help it emerge!

Ayurveda is an approach of creating tried and true balanced prescriptions that can be used on even the most gentle & delicate skin. It focusses on keeping the human body connected with Nature. Not simply in cellular capacity, but at primordial levels which connect human life with the larger Universe, of which it’s a microcosmic representation.

"SENSITIVE SKIN'S SO UNPREDICTABLE. WHAT CAN AYURVEDA DO?"
Go over all the sensitive skin triggers you can think of immediately – pollutant exposure, hormonal imbalance, stress, grooming products, textiles and fabrics, cigarettes and alcohol, coffee or tea, radiators or room heaters in overdrive. Moderate their influence, anticipate the time and amount of exposure to them. You’ll automatically be able to predict, and manifest, better control of your sensitive skin.

"ALL THE DOSHA-TALK IS INTIMIDATING. DO THEY EVEN DO ANYTHING?"

Doshas are. They don’t have to ‘do’. This makes them powerful and necessary for existence, let alone for cures.

With specific reference to skin type, the doshas represent the predominant manifestation of Nature's elements in your constitution, and how their characteristics reflect on the quality of your skin. If you’re governed by Air, are 'flighty' and mobile, with cool, dry, fragile, or rough skin, you're a Vata. Governed by Fire, Pitta skin's susceptible to rashes, breakouts, and internal 'heatiness'. Kapha represents 'groundedness', anchored as it is in Water and Earth. Kapha skin tends to be pale, and thick, smooth, and radiant.

"I'M NOT A PITTA SO I'M SAFE FROM SENSITIVITY."

It's easy to come to this conclusion, because we associate sensitivity with redness, rashes, and inflammation. Vata and Pitta skins aren't immune to these symptoms.

Dry Vata skin, if not moisturised well, can cause clogging by dead, dry skin cells, in the same way that excessive sebum clogs oily skin. The clogging causes inflammation-driven sensitivity and breakouts. The oily nature of Kapha skin keeps it resilient to ageing that results from dehydration. But, the tendency to over-cleanse, so as to prevent excessive sebum accumulation/acne, makes it a victim like under-hydrated Vata skin!

"WHAT IF I'M A COMBINATION-DOSHA PERSON? HOW DOES AYURVEDA KNOW WHAT IT'S DOING?"

Say you're drawn to an Ayurvedic product, because it's loaded with your favourite vitamins, sourced from antioxidant spices. If you're a Pitta or Vata, you'd be wary of the ‘heat’ from such spices. There will, however, always be anti-inflammatory, hydrating ingredients to temper their effect. For example, Kama Ayurveda's Eladi day cream, and its Rose-Jasmine face cleanser both have spices – the former has cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg, and the latter has black cumin. They both also have rose/jasmine essential oil; as well as cooling, soothing vetiver.

Similarly, an Ayurvedic massage blend may have both, coconut and sesame oils. Coconut works well for Kapha, for example, but not during a time of day when it's dominant, such as evening/night time. Any 'over-enthusiasm' resulting from the presence of cooling coconut, is balanced by the relative warmth of sesame.

Since the beginning of Time, Ayurveda has stood for the ability to do more than simply moisturize, protect or hydrate. It stands on the crucial premise of self-healing, and healthy perpetuation. It helps you achieve this by reiterating the importance of balance. Every Ayurvedic recommendation painstakingly represents this. Across the board.

To be or not to be in the sun, is a question that is literally making the earth go around. There are enough and more studies on how exposure to Sun is good for the bones and great for the hair and skin. And then there are studies that hint at irreversible damage caused by overexposure to the Sun. At Kama Ayurveda, we believe a bit of both hold true and a good Sunscreen is a perfect solution for all. Like our chemical-free, mineral based Sunscreen with Natural Sun Protection of SPF 21, a safe and effective formulation that blocks and prevents Sun damage.

1) SUNSCREEN IS FOR SUMMERS

Truth is we need a Sunscreen in every season and both indoors and outdoors. Remember clouds or no clouds, the Ultraviolet rays are all around us. And yes, they even penetrate through the windows. Which means that if we are travelling for long stretches or the workplace is next to the window, we need Sun protection. An effective Sunscreen that reflects Ultraviolet rays back, is our only knight in shining armour here.

2) THE HIGHER THE SPF, THE BETTER THE SUNSCREEN

Sadly this myth can cause permanent damage on our skin, including patches and quick ageing. The truth is that for Indian urban lifestyles SPF 15-20 is all we need, but it requires reapplication every 2 hours in the sun. And its vital to know that even an SPF 50 requires to be reapplied, generously. Yes, higher the SPF, higher the protection is nothing more than a myth.

3) WATERPROOF SUNSCREEN

The term ‘waterproof’ can mislead one to spend an entire day sunbathing or in the pool. The fact remains that any Sunscreen product needs to be reapplied if one swims for a long stretch or sweats profusely. At best, a Sunscreen can be water-resistant which means it won’t get washed off immediately. But once we towel-dry the body, fresh protection from the Ultraviolet rays is needed. So choosing a safe yet efficient Sunscreen, and reapplying at regular intervals is a must for good sun protection.

4) SUNSCREENS MAKE YOU VITAMIN D DEFICIENT

The fact is that 15 minutes in the sunshine is all a body needs for making ample Vitamin D. For the rest of the time one needs a good and effective sun block to protect the skin from dehydration and sunburns. Choosing a light and non greasy one that does not attract any dirt or impurities, is equally important.

5) BAD SUNSCREENS LEAVE A WHITE CAST

Well if a sunscreen leaves a white cast on the skin when applied, one should hold on to it forever. Usually this means that it is a natural, mineral enriched Sunscreen that is totally effective. Don’t let the white cast stop you from reaching out for the best protection from damaging rays, and it usually dissipates very quickly too. Remember to check for a natural, mineral formulation and keep in mind that the white cast indicates a protective layer on the skin that is hard to penetrate. However a generous amount of Sunscreen should be applied on the face, hands and other body parts exposed to the sun. Even under a sun-umbrella.

A healthy skin and care regime starts with the basics. A natural cleanser, a moisturiser, a toner, lip balm and a good Sunscreen. But there are a thousand Sunscreens on the shelves today and a million of myths around their use. It is pertinent to know which Sunscreen to use. Even more important is to be informed and aware of how to make Sunscreens work for the skin. Choosing a natural Sunscreen that is gentle on the skin but effective against Ultraviolet rays is most important. So pick the right Sunscreen, use it right and your skin will say a sunny thank you for it.

Haircare Q&As with an Ayurvedic Doctor

 Thanks to the stressful lives many of us lead, it is no surprise that hair fall, breakage, hair loss and unhealthy hair are amongst the top beauty concerns of our generation today. Moreover, to make things worse, the commonality of these concerns have generated several myths, which often exacerbate conditions for those who suffer. In this Q and A session with our expert in-house ayurvedic doctor, we attempt to do some hair myth-busting to help you get to the truth of good hair:

Q1. How much hair loss is normal, on a daily basis?

Its normal to shed 50-100 strands a day.

Q2. What causes hair fall?

There are multiple causes. These can include your genetic makeup, a hormonal imbalance, an illness, medication, and stress.

Q3. Can you tell us more about male baldness?

In male pattern baldness, a receding hairline and baldness are the first few signs of hair fall. It can be a genetic condition, but can also be due to fungal infections, or localized infections, like ringworm. Other reasons for male baldness may include:

• Dandruff
• Alopecia
• Tying hair very tightly
• Trichotillomania eg: excessive hair styling and heating agents are responsible for hair loss.
• Medication-Drugs-used for cancer, arthritis, depression and birth control.
• Hypervitaminosis (extra Vitamin A) causes hair to fall eg:-chemotherapy & radiation therapy

Q4. Does hair fall always lead to baldness?

For men it does, for women it usually begins with hair thinning, but baldness is not a necessary outcome.

Q5. Please tell us which foods are best for hair and why? 

Ingredient	Vitamin /Nutrient	Helps With
Almonds	Magnesium,Calcium,Zinc,Omega 3 Fatty acids ,Vitamin E	Enhances hair growth and gives hair shine
Neem	Vitamin E ,Essential Fatty Acid,	Protects from external damage and thickens hair strands
Amla	VitamiC & amino acids	Strengthens the hair shaft ,reduces graying, and soothes the scalp
Lavender	Linalool ,linalyl acetate	Nourishes and moisturizes hair and prevents hair fall
Henna	Lawsonia Inermis	Protects hair from the sun and dust, prevents dandruff and hair fall
Indigo	Indigofera Tinctoria	Prevents hair graying and dullness(due to pollution, sun damage and stress)

Q6. Does stress cause hair fall?

A: Yes it can. Telogen effluvium (a phenomenon that happens after pregnancy), surgery, drastic whitening, hair loss and extreme stress can all cause us to shed large amounts of hair every day.

Q7. Does pregnancy cause hair fall?

Immediately after childbirth, hormonal changes in a woman’s body can cause hair fall, although during pregnancy women usually enjoy thicker and fuller hair.

Q8.  Which natural ayurvedic remedies can prevent hair fall?

A combination of diet, herbs, oil message,aromatherapy ,meditation, pranayama and yoga are beneficial for improving hair fall and preventing premature greying. For example, we would warn against food that increases the pita Dosha for someone who already has a pitta imbalance: this would cause hair fall.  

Various herbs like Bhringaraj, gooseberry, reetha and neem really help with scalp infections.

Q9. Does using a blow dryer cause more hair fall?

If you are using a heat protective serum a blow dryer is tolerable, however it is advisable to dry hair naturally.

Q10. Why does hair loss happen to teenagers?

This is usually due to hormonal imbalances, like Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Other reasons include Rhyroid, fungal infections or an unhealthy diet.

Q11. What is alopecia?

This is a general medical term for hair loss. Alopecia Areata is a common, auto immune skin disease causing hair loss and other areas of the body and it can happen at any age.

It is usually hereditary and is linked to having too much of a male hormone called DHT. It also affects women (female pattern baldness is when hair thins on top of the head), and this can be often happen during menopause.

Q12.  Do hair dyes and styling products affect hair fall?

Yes, if the hair dye consists of chemicals like ammonia, this can damage hair and cause protein loss from the hair shaft, which makes the hair appear thinner.

Styling products like hair irons, curlers can cause the hair to break.

Hair sprays also cause brittleness of the hair, and we suggest you use a heat protective serum if you must use one.

Q13. Can brushing make hair stronger or resistant to hair loss?

Brushing very vigorously can break hair, and combing/brushing wet hair causes breakage. We recommend using a wide toothed comb on wet hair for detangling, and then brushing hair when dry.

Q14. Will regular trimming improve hair fall?

By trimming hair regularly, you will have less breakage, and your hair will look shinier. We recommend trimming your hair once in three months.

Q15. Can towel drying your head cause hair fall?

Yes, towel drying can cause hair to break and fall if you are not gentle. This especially happens when one rings or squeezes hair against a towel; this can worsen split ends and pull hair from the root, thereby damaging hair.