We asked three experts to share the most common scalp care myths they hear relating to massage, shedding and hair type, before they revealed the truth… How many of these mistakes have your clients been making? It’s time to set the record straight.
Scalp Massage Myths
“One myth I often hear is that scalp massages can lead to increased hair loss,” shares Kieran Tudor, co-founder of CENTRED.
“In fact, the opposite is true when done correctly. Scalp massages improve circulation and promote relaxation, which can actually boost hair growth by feeding follicles and helping to reduce cortisol. They also help distribute the natural oils of the scalp, strengthening the roots and leading to healthier hair growth.”
On the flip side, Jacqui McIntosh, Trichologist and European Director of Education for Avlon reveals: “Some people believe that scalp massages can significantly speed up hair growth.”
She adds: “While scalp massage can increase blood flow to the scalp and create a healthier environment for hair growth, it does not drastically alter the hair growth rate. Instead, it contributes to overall scalp health, which can indirectly support better hair growth.
“One myth I’ve heard is that you should apply an oil and leave it to sit on the scalp to get rid of any dryness or flakiness,” says Mark Blake, Trichologist and Nioxin Ambassador.
“This is not true,” he confirms. “This will just moisten the dead skin so it doesn’t look flaky, but the flakes are still there and need to be removed.”
You can check out advice on dealing with an itchy, fkaly scalp here.
Hair Shedding Myths
Similar to Kieran’s myth regarding scalp massage, Jacqui explains that one of the most common myths regarding shedding is that washing the hair too frequently causes excessive hair loss.
“In fact, regular washing simply helps keep the scalp clean and healthy. Hair shedding is a normal part of the hair growth cycle, and the hair lost during washing is typically hair that was already in the shedding phase (telogen phase) and would have fallen out regardless.”
Following on from this, Mark also explains that the notion that washing your hair too often will wash away the natural oils is also false.
Meanwhile, Kieran shares: “A common misconception about shedding is that losing hair every day means you're on the fast track to baldness.”
“It's natural to lose anywhere from 50 to 100 hairs a day as part of the hair's growth cycle,” he explains. “Excessive shedding, however, can be a sign of stress, nutritional deficiencies, or illness. It's important to understand the normal cycle of hair growth and shedding before jumping to conclusions.”
Caring for Different Hair Types
According to Jacqui, Scalp care needs can vary significantly among different hair types due to differences in sebum production, hair density, and curl pattern. She breaks this down below…
· Caucasian Hair: Generally, this hair type produces more sebum, which can lead to an oily scalp. Frequent washing with a mild shampoo and using products that balance oil production is important.
· Asian Hair: Asian hair is often straight and can also produce a fair amount of sebum. Regular cleansing to prevent oil buildup and using lightweight conditioners to avoid weighing down the hair are beneficial.
· Afro/Textured Hair: This hair type tends to produce less sebum, leading to a drier scalp. Scalp care should focus on hydration and moisture retention. Gentle cleansing, using low pH moisturising shampoos and conditioners, oils and scalp treatments to maintain moisture balance are crucial, as well as the correct application of maintenance products suited to the required styling outcome.
