How to Give a Scalp Massage for Hair Stylists

Many clients appreciate a soothing scalp massage before a haircut.

A lot of people, whether they realize it or not, hold significant amounts of tension in the muscles of their scalp and neck. When your clients come to you for a cut, style or color, you can add to the value of their experience by giving them a relaxing scalp massage as well. While you probably learned scalp massage techniques during your cosmetology training, you might not remember how to perform them. With a quick refresher, you will be able to pamper your clients and ensure that they enjoy their experience in your salon.

Things You'll Need

• Natural-bristle hairbrush
• Coconut oil
• Jojoba oil
• 2 tbsp. glycerin oil
• 6 drops rosemary essential oil
• Shampoo
• Conditioner

Instructions

1. Brush your client's hair thoroughly before the massage with a natural-bristle hairbrush. The brushing naturally stimulates the blood flow in the scalp and helps your client relax. It also removes any tangles and helps prevent you from inadvertently pulling your client's hair.

2. Ask the client whether he would prefer a massage with or without oils. Use coconut or jojoba oil or create your own concoction by combining 2 tablespoons of glycerin oil and 6 drops of rosemary essential oil. Rosemary oil is often recommended as a soothing treatment for the scalp.

3. Run your fingers over the entire scalp gently from front to back, covering every inch of the scalp. Use a light, feathery motion.

4. Start at the hairline and use the pads of your fingers to knead the scalp, creating small circles with moderate pressure. Work the fingers of your left hand clockwise and work the fingers on your right hand counter-clockwise. Work your way from the hairline to the nape of the neck.

5. Place your fingers in the hair at the temples and rest your thumbs on your client's head. Use the same technique from Step 4 in a circular massage motion. Follow the edges of the hairline down the sides of the head, once again ending at the nape.

6. Shampoo and condition the client's hair thoroughly after using oils for a scalp massage. Cut and style hair as normal.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask whether or not your client would like a scalp massage beforehand. While most will love the experience, others may be uncomfortable with it and prefer to skip it.

• Ask your client if she prefers more or less pressure while you massage her scalp.

• Be careful to avoid scratching or scraping your client's head when you have long fingernails.

References

• University of Maryland Medical Center: Alopecia
• Massage Deck: 50 Soothing Massage Techniques; Katy Dreyfuss