Looking for faster hair growth? You may have heard that raw coconut oil or castor oil before shampooing is the secret. But after doing regular scalp massages since 2017, I’ve learned that the massage itself is just as important as the oil you choose.
I originally started scalp massages after experiencing postpartum hair loss. I was desperate to see my hair grow back and, honestly, willing to try almost anything.
Years later, scalp massage is still part of my hair-care routine, but I’ve learned that more oil and more massage aren’t necessarily better.
Here’s everything I’ve learned about scalp massages, oils, and what has worked for me.
Disclaimer: This article shares my personal experience and isn’t medical advice. Hair growth and hair loss can have many causes. Please do your own research and speak with your doctor before using essential oils or supplements, particularly if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
Why Massage Your Scalp?
We spend so much time thinking about our hair strands that we can forget about the skin they’re growing from.
Your scalp is living skin, and taking care of it is an important part of a healthy hair routine.
One reason scalp massage is popular is that the physical massage may temporarily increase blood flow to the scalp. I also find it incredibly relaxing, which, for me, is a benefit in itself.
My favourite potential benefits of scalp massage include:
- Supporting circulation
- Helping distribute natural oils across the scalp
- Keeping the scalp feeling conditioned
- Relaxing tense muscles
- Creating a calming self-care ritual
However, I wouldn’t promise that scalp massage alone will make everyone’s hair grow faster or prevent hair loss. Hair growth is much more complicated than one technique or one oil. I explain it all in this video.
My Curly Hair Has Always Made Scalp Care Interesting
Curly hair has a unique challenge when it comes to natural scalp oils.
Sebum—the oil naturally produced by your scalp—doesn’t travel down a curly hair strand as easily as it can on straight hair. Source
That means the scalp and the lengths of curly hair can have completely different needs.
This is one reason I’ve experimented with oils over the years. But I’ve also learned that oils are not interchangeable, and what works beautifully for one person’s scalp may not work for another.
How I Started Scalp Massaging in 2017
I don’t even particularly like putting oils in my hair!
But after my second C-section, I experienced postpartum hair loss and desperately wanted my hair to grow back. I came across a video from Curly Penny about using Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO) and scalp massaging before wash day. So I tried it.
I used Sunny Isle JBCO and initially loved the results. My hair felt moisturized, and I felt like I was seeing good growth. But there was one huge problem.
It was heavy.
My hair became greasy and weighed down, and I needed to shampoo it out almost immediately.
At that stage, I had two young children and was working from home. I absolutely did not want to wash my hair every day just because I’d put oil on my scalp.
That’s when I started looking for lighter oil blends that could work better with my lifestyle.
And that changed how I approached scalp massage.
How to Give Yourself a Scalp Massage
You don’t need an elaborate routine.
1. Start with clean hands
Please wash your hands before touching your scalp!
2. Use a small amount of oil
Take just a few drops and spread them between your fingertips.
You don’t need to saturate your scalp.
3. Warm the oil
Rub your fingertips together for a few seconds.
4. Enjoy the experience
This might sound silly, but I love taking a moment to smell the oil blend before applying it.
For me, the sensory experience is part of the ritual.
5. Massage gently
Use the pads of your fingertips—not your nails—and massage your scalp using gentle circular movements.
You don’t need to aggressively scrub or scratch your scalp.
The goal is a gentle massage, not a workout!
Do You Need to Use Oil?
No. This is something I learned through experience.
You can absolutely massage your scalp without oil.
In fact, I prefer this approach sometimes, especially if I’m not close to wash day or if my skin is prone to breakouts.
For me, scalp massage became much more sustainable when I stopped thinking that I needed to oil my scalp every single day.
Why I Don’t Recommend DIY Essential Oil Blends
When I first became interested in essential oils for hair, I found the whole subject overwhelming. There were so many individual oils, so many claims and so many different dilution recommendations. And high-quality essential oils were expensive and difficult for me to source at the time.
That’s why I gravitated towards ready-made oil blends.
If you’re not experienced with essential oils, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with choosing a properly formulated product instead of trying to become your own cosmetic formulator.
Essential oils are highly concentrated, and using them incorrectly can irritate the scalp.
Never apply essential oils directly to your scalp without appropriate dilution.
Can You Use Multiple Hair Oils?
You can, but you don’t have to.
For years, I used essentially one oil blend. My hair grew and its overall condition improved, so clearly I didn’t need a cupboard full of oils!
Over time, I experimented with different blends and enjoyed the variety.
I also discovered something interesting about scent. If I use the same scented oil repeatedly, I eventually stop noticing the smell. That’s called sensory adaptation—our sensory systems become less responsive to a constant stimulus. So sometimes I rotate my oils simply because I enjoy experiencing different scents.
For me, it’s not about believing that every new oil will magically make my hair grow faster.
It’s about making my hair-care routine enjoyable enough that I actually want to do it.
My Favourite Oil Blends
Over the years, I’ve experimented with several different products, including:
Hair of Nature SheaMango Scalp Butter
Sweet mango scent and a richer texture. Lasts very long! Use my code HONESTLIZ to save 10% here.
The Innate Life Rose Elixir
A beautiful rose-scented oil blend.
Flora & Curl Superfruit Hair Oil
A fresh, fruity option.
Jessicurl Oil Blend
Known for its strong peppermint scent.
These are products I’ve personally tried. That doesn’t mean they’ll necessarily work for your scalp.
Does Scalp Massage Need to Be Done Every Day?
No. This is one area where my routine changed considerably.
In 2017–2018, I was scalp massaging with a coconut-oil-based blend almost every day. But I eventually noticed that I was experiencing more breakouts and painful acne.
So I changed my approach.
Instead of leaving oil on my scalp every day, I started concentrating my oil scalp massages around the night before wash day. That worked much better for me.
It was a good reminder that something can be beneficial in moderation but not necessarily better when you do it more often.
Your scalp needs space too.
Will Scalp Massage Make Your Hair Greasy?
It can, particularly if you use too much oil or your scalp doesn’t tolerate the particular oil you’re using.
You really only need a few drops for a massage.
And remember: scalp massage and oiling are two separate things.
You can massage your scalp without oil.
If your scalp becomes persistently oily, itchy, irritated, flaky or painful, don’t assume you simply need a different oil. Those symptoms can have many causes and may be worth discussing with a dermatologist.
Can Scalp Massage Help With Hair Growth?
This is where I want to be careful with my wording.
I’ve personally found regular scalp massage to be a valuable part of my hair-care routine, and I’ve seen positive changes in my own hair over the years.
But I don’t want to tell you that scalp massage guarantees faster hair growth.
Your hair growth is influenced by many factors, including genetics, hormones, nutrition, overall health, age and the reason behind any hair loss.
Think of scalp massage as one supportive habit, not a miracle cure.
And if you’re experiencing significant, sudden or persistent hair loss, please don’t rely on oils and massage alone. Find out what’s causing it.
Do You Need a Scalp Massage Tool?
Not necessarily.
Your fingers work perfectly well.
However, I sometimes prefer a scalp massage tool because my hands can get tired. A tool can make it easier to massage for longer and can feel particularly relaxing after a long day.
Just remember: gentle is enough.
You don’t need to aggressively scrub your scalp to get the benefits of massage.
My Biggest Lesson About Scalp Massages
After doing this since 2017, my biggest takeaway is surprisingly simple:
Don’t confuse doing more with doing better.
I don’t need to drench my scalp in castor oil nor massage my scalp aggressively. I don’t need to use five different essential oils nor do it every day.
I’ve found a rhythm that works for my scalp, my curls and my lifestyle.
For me, that’s usually a gentle scalp massage with a lightweight oil blend around wash day.
And that’s the beauty of curly hair care.
You don’t need to copy someone else’s routine perfectly.
You need to learn what your own hair and scalp are telling you.
Final Thoughts
If you’re trying scalp massage for the first time, start simple.
Use clean hands.
Use a small amount of a product your scalp tolerates.
Massage gently.
Pay attention to how your scalp responds.
And give yourself permission to change the routine if something isn’t working.
Hair growth isn’t about finding one magical oil.
It’s about looking at the whole picture—your scalp, your hair, your health, your habits and your ability to consistently care for yourself.
And honestly, if a five-minute scalp massage also gives you a moment to slow down at the end of a busy day?
That’s a pretty good reason to do it too.
Need More Help With Your Curly Hair?
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Curly Hair Products Guide
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