Massage for hair loss performed by a trained massage therapist will increase blood flow to the hair follicles, condition the scalp, and enhance the strength of the roots. It will also aid relaxation and reduce feelings of stress. Kneading during a massage warms the skin and opens up the blood vessels, thereby increasing blood flow. Increased blood flow to the hair follicle will result in increased nutrient intake. All hair follicles need an adequate supply of nutrients in order to grow. Rubbing during a massage promotes relaxation and aids in stress reduction. Reduced levels of stress hormones allow the body to function with increased efficiency and this, in turn, enhances the ability of the hair follicles to grow hair.
The use of pure, nourishing, essential oils during scalp massage for hair loss is thought to condition the scalp, hair root and hair shaft. It reduces conditions that can interrupt the process of hair growth, including dandruff and dry skin. Regular massage for hair loss involving plant-based oils can reduce the chances of the hair strands becoming brittle, split and broken.
*The results of a randomized, seven month trial used to investigate the effectiveness of aromatherapy in the treatment of people with alopecia areata were reported in the Archives of Dermatology in 1998. The study, conducted by Isabelle C. Hay, Margaret Jamieson and Anthony D. Ormerod in the Department of Dermatology at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in Scotland, United Kingdom, involved eighty-six people, all of whom had been diagnosed with alopecia areata, a condition in which hair loss is apparent on some or all parts of the human body, particularly the scalp.