So you’re looking for the best technique to stimulate hair growth. Someone online said that scratching your head promotes hair growth. Do you start scratching your scalp right away?
Scratching sounds risky. What if you get scratches, cuts and wounds?
In this article, you will learn whether you should scratch your hair. Or you can use other stimulating techniques to encourage hair growth.
How to scratch your head to grow hair?
Scratching your head is most common when your scalp is itchy. An itching scalp is because it is either dry skin, greasy, or has dandruff.
Dead skin cells that fall off the scalp are dandruff, and a lot more falls off when you scratch the scalp.
Many people associate dandruff with sensitive skin conditions, scalp conditions, or a dry scalp that causes severe itching and scratching. But instead, it is often a dry scalp that causes dandruff.
An oily scalp can also cause an itchy scalp and flakes, possibly due to Seborrheic dermatitis or atopic dermatitis. It is a condition where the skin gets flaky, oily, and itchy. It can also be due to an allergic reaction or fungal infection.
No tried-and-true way of scratching your head is right for your scalp.
Instead, start massaging your scalp. A massage can stimulate hair growth and blood circulation around your head.
Does scratching one’s scalp cause hair loss?
It would be best to resist scraping your head since it can induce temporary hair loss. Rubbing the scalp too often or too hard may cause damage to a person’s epidermis. Scratching can cause partial hair loss, bruising, and crusting due to the injury.
Every strand of hair has an outer layer called the cuticle scales. Scratching your hair can reduce this protective layer, making your hair shaft brittle.
Weak hair is more prone to breaking and hair loss. But the hair will often regrow once you stop scratching.
Scratching vs. rubbing vs. massage
Scratching
Scratching is detrimental to the health of your hair roots since it can lead to hair loss. Avoid scratching your head to promote normal hair development.
Although scratching your hair may cause damage, it is most likely only temporary instead of permanent hair loss. We recommend you stop scratching your head since you will shed more hair.
Rubbing
Environmental dirt and oils can stick to the natural oils in your hair, and your hair care product can also cause build-up. If your scalp is dirty, your hair will be less likely to sprout healthy hair.
If you like to massage your head with your fingertips, be aware that it might worsen matters.
Touching and rubbing your head can introduce unwanted dirt and oils to your scalp, disrupting your hair’s hydration balance.
Once your head dries, it loses its elasticity. The more you brush your fingertips through your hair, the more it’s likely to break.
Massage
A head massage is identical to when you get a massage for your full body, shoulders, or your neck.
A scalp massage is lighter. It’s usually conducted without oil, although you may add it if you wish. A scalp massage enhances hair volume and expands hair follicle cells. It stimulates the follicles to grow thicker and stronger hair. It also widens blood vessels which promotes blood circulation in your epidermis.
Which scalp stimulation therapy is better?
Scalp massage is effective in preventing hair fall and encouraging hair growth.
Oil massage is an excellent way to stimulate the hair while providing deep nourishment.
It is not enough to oil your scalp; you must do a complete oil massage.
Oil massages are effective in improving blood circulation and moisturizing the scalp. It also conditions the hair.
When massaging your scalp, you feel relaxed, and it reduces stress. Lower stress estrogen levels improve blood flow which also enhances the hair follicles.
How often to scratch or massage your scalp for optimal hair health and the best hair growth?
The reason you are scratching your scalp determines the frequency.
Some experts recommend massaging your scalp twice daily to improve hair growth.
You can massage your head anytime you want for stress relief. Massage your scalp regularly to stimulate your follicles and enhance blood flow.
Be careful not to rub too hard as you might get sore, hurt, or damage your hair or epidermis.
Final thoughts
While scratching your hair can cause hair loss, the damage is often not permanent. In most cases, your hair will regrow, but it is not recommended to scratch your head.
Rather than scratching your hair, you should massage it. A head massage has more benefits than downsides; it improves your scalp’s health and makes your hair look healthy, thick, and lustrous.
If you have problems with scalp itching, please visit a dermatologist as they are experts in dealing with common conditions relating to the skin and hair. Your problem could be a symptom due to several reasons such as scalp ringworm, head lice, chronic skin condition, silvery-white scales, traction alopecia, autoimmune disorder, scalp pruritus, excessive scratching, dirty hair, reaction to hair products, inflamed hair follicles, severe scalp psoriasis, scalp infections, skin diseases, skin disorders and more.
The treatment plan for scalp itchiness could be anti-dandruff shampoos, topical treatments, topical medications such as antifungal creams or antifungal medications, allergy creams, and more.
Suppose you experience hereditary hair loss (androgenetic alopecia). In that case, hair loss treatments such as hair transplants, laser treatment, medications, and hair stimulants may help you. Discuss it with an expert.