Achieving great hair starts with a healthy scalp, and massaging your scalp is an essential step, also providing a range of amazing benefits.
You may have seen an array of colourful shampoo brushes across your social media and wondered if they are a gimmick or worth the hype. If you want to get in on the action and want to know, are shampoo brushes good for your hair? This article has got you covered.
Having your hair washed at the hairdresser is one of the best feelings, and the stylist expertly massages your scalp is absolute bliss. As relaxing as the massage may be, that is not the sole purpose; this process promotes a healthy scalp, an important step in achieving a healthy head of hair.
Did you know that our scalp ages six times faster than our face? Dr Kevin Mun, PhD, told Well&Good, “Oxidative stress on the scalp can cause not only inflammation but also ageing of the scalp, which can result in hair thinning and hair loss,”
Shampoo brushes are a great option to help elevate our scalp care routine between our hair appointments. We spend time and money on our faces but remember that our scalp needs the same amount of love, so don’t neglect it!
- What is a Shampoo Brush?
- How to Choose a Shampoo Brush for Your Hair Type
- Are Shampoo Brushes Good For Your Hair?
- 5 Amazing Benefits of Shampoo Brushes
- An Easy Guide on How to Use a Shampoo Brush
- Do Shampoo Brushes Help Hair Grow?
- Does a Shampoo Brush Help with Dandruff?
- How Often Should You Use a Shampoo Brush?
What is a Shampoo Brush?
A shampoo brush, often referred to as a ‘scalp brush’ or ‘scalp massage brush’, has soft silicone bristles and easily fits into the palm of your hand.
Looking after the skin on our scalps has many benefits that many are unaware of, so skip on this step. Ameliorate, a dermatological skincare brand, says on its blog, “The first thing to remember is that scalp care is skin care. Your scalp is just as prone to skin concerns as the skin on your face and body.”
This handheld brush is a great multi-tasking tool for wet or dry, but don’t be tempted to buy the cheapest option. Opt for one with good reviews, and use this guide on 10 of the best shampoo brushes to buy as a starting point.
How to Choose a Shampoo Brush for Your Hair Type
Choose one with soft bristles made from silicone or similar material, and avoid metal or stiff prongs, as they could damage your scalp. Not every shampoo brush looks the same, as some models cater to specific hair types.
Which Shampoo Brush Suits Curly Hair
If you have curly hair, choose one with longer and spaced-out prongs to avoid tangling your curls. This shampoo brush by curly hair care brand Imbue is a good option.
Which Shampoo Brush Suits Thick Hair
For thicker hair, you will need a tool with long prongs like this XL Shampoo Brush by Issa Miracle, which suits this hair type.
Which Shampoo Brush Suits Fine Hair
For fine hair, go for short, thin bristles, and the health website Prevention recommends the Kitsch Shampoo Brush and Scalp Exfoliator.
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Are Shampoo Brushes Good For Your Hair?
Yes, shampoo brushes are good for your hair when you use them correctly. Dr Dominic Burg, Chief Scientist at évolis Professional, told Sunday Riley, “Shampoo brushes can be a great inclusion to your scalp health routine as they can help you thoroughly cleanse the scalp, remove excess cell debris as well as residual dry shampoo, and other follicle-clogging substances.”
See all the benefits below if you are still unsure about jumping onboard.
5 Amazing Benefits of Shampoo Brushes
1.Exfoliates the Scalp
The soft silicone tips of the brush are great for scalp exfoliation and remove dead skin cells and flaky skin. Neglecting to exfoliate your scalp can lead to clogging of the hair follicles and an itchy scalp.
2.Boosts Blood Circulation
Giving your scalp a good massage stimulates blood circulation, allowing hair follicles to receive all the essential nutrients they need.
3.Removes Product Build-Up
Shampooing alone cannot remove all product build-up, such as dry shampoo and hair spray that can stick to the scalp.
As you massage, the shampoo brush lifts the dead cells and product residue off the scalp, including excess sebum, which can hinder hair growth.
Shampoo brushes also help spread products evenly for a deeper cleanse that your entire scalp and hair will reap the benefits from.
4.Conditions
Having a dry scalp leads to dry hair that can incur split ends and dull and lifeless locks. A shampoo brush helps stimulate your scalp, producing more natural oils that spread all over your scalp, simultaneously calming irritation.
5.Relaxes
A soothing scalp massage after a busy day works wonders, decreasing tension and stimulating blood flow, leaving you calm and relaxed.
An Easy Guide on How to Use a Shampoo Brush
Yay! You are the proud owner of a new silicone shampoo brush, but how to use it? Don’t worry we got you.
First, brush your hair to remove any knots, then wet your hair and apply your favourite shampoo.
Next, use the shampoo brush to lather and gently massage your scalp in small circular motions for around 3 minutes.
Finish with a conditioner or other hair products if you wish.
Top Tip: For better results and a cleaner scalp, keep massaging your hair while rinsing out the shampoo.
Avoid applying too much pressure as a shampoo brush is to massage the scalp, not scrub, and never use it on a sensitive scalp or broken skin.
If you want to see the process in action, check out this helpful video by SkincareRoutinebyM
Shampoo brushes also work on dry hair, and Alexa Adler, the founder of scalp care brand Jupiter, recommends using one before getting into the shower.
Adler explains the steps on dry hair in an interview with Makeup.com. “Move it in a gentle, circular motion to exfoliate. She adds, “This will help remove any buildup on the scalp from flaking, styling products or other impurities.” If you have a sensitive scalp and find regular use of a shampoo brush irritating, you can switch to a finger massage, and coconut oil is a natural ingredient that makes a fantastic scalp treatment.
Do Shampoo Brushes Help Hair Grow?
Experts have a mixed response on this subject, and dermatologist Morgan Rabach says in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, “There is no scientific evidence to support increased hair growth.”
Dr Erin Gilbert, a board-certified dermatologist, told Loreal, “Using a scalp massager alone will not necessarily make your hair grow longer and stronger, but scalp brushes and massagers help to remove dead cells from the surface of the scalp, which clears the way for healthy hair to grow.”
Does a Shampoo Brush Help with Dandruff?
Dandruff is not a serious condition but can be painful and is not good for the health of your scalp. Anti-dandruff shampoos are a common way to treat the issue, but can a shampoo brush help with dandruff?
In an article on eMediHealth, Dr Sarita Sanke, a certified trichologist and dermatologist, explains, “Scalp massagers can be valuable partners in your fight against dandruff. By facilitating gentle exfoliation, enhancing blood circulation, and improving the effectiveness of anti-dandruff products, they offer an all-in-one approach to attaining a healthy scalp.”
To recap, using a shampoo brush can help manage the symptoms of dandruff but will require medical treatment to cure it.
How Often Should You Use a Shampoo Brush?
The answer to this question seems to vary from person to person. However, Dr Dominic Burg, Chief Scientist at évolis Professional, gave his take to Sunday Riley, saying, “ That a shampoo brush is gentle enough to be used with every cleanse.” Adding, “The frequency you should use a brush for a deep cleanse will really depend on your hair, scalp type and beauty routine.”
If you suffer any scalp irritation, stop using your shampoo brush, and for more specific requirements, consider talking to an expert, like a dermatologist or doctor, for professional advice.
In conclusion, are shampoo brushes good for your hair? The answer is yes, and our deep dive into the subject revealed many experts back this hard-working tool, which helps achieve a healthier scalp and great hair.
Disclaimer: All the content published on www.thestylecadet.com is solely for information purposes. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consider seeking the advice of your doctor, qualified healthcare provider or dermatologist. The information, suggestions, or remedies mentioned in this article are provided without warranty of any kind, whether expressed or implied.
