6 scalp tools for circulation and hair growth, rated by experts
When I was a child, my occasional Sunday morning champi, given by my mother, was really the only scalp ‘tool’ I was familiar with. But with everyone’s fingers increasingly glued to their phones, a good old-fashioned champi has become harder to come by. As scalp health enters the chat, there’s been an influx of tools that claim to relieve tension, exfoliate your scalp, boost blood flow, stimulate hair growth and prevent hair loss. Powered by endless battery life, we’re promised Rapunzel’s locks with regular use. But are these scalp tools too good to be true?
Before you snap up every follicle activator in sight, Jashmina Jain, managing director at Florian Hurel Hair Couture and Spa, says, “We don’t look at the scalp as an afterthought to the hair; it’s the foundation of the hair. Your scalp doesn’t necessarily need a cupboard full of tools to grow good hair. The scalp needs to be clean, balanced, healthy and treated according to the underlying conditions. Before investing in a device, understand what it is actually designed to do and how it will help.”
If you’re suffering from a scalp condition or if hairfall is the main issue, Dr Shankar Sawant, consultant dermatologist and trichologist at S.L. Raheja Hospital – A Fortis Associate, recommends first determining the cause. “There are different reasons why one may experience hair loss, like genetic predisposition, hormonal changes, stress, deficiencies and scalp problems,” he says. Your scalp arsenal should supplement any treatment recommended by your trichologist. Of course, there’s no harm in keeping a tool or two around simply to knead your worries away.
We spoke to two experts who gave us the lowdown on viral scalp tools—what works, what doesn’t and what’s simply hype—and whether they can actually make your mane thicker or just flatten your wallet.
Soft silicone scalp massager
“It doesn’t need an app, Bluetooth, twelve settings or a charging dock! A good silicone scalp brush is easy to use, easy to clean and gives you control over how much pressure you’re applying,” says Jain. You can use it once or twice a week while shampooing to loosen product residue and surface buildup, while enjoying a gentle massage and boosting circulation.
Expert rating: Jashmina Jain 4.5/5, Dr Shankar Sawant 3/5
Electric scalp massagers
