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mbg Beauty & Wellness Editor

By Jamie Schneider

mbg Beauty & Wellness Editor

Jamie Schneider is the Beauty & Wellness Editor at mindbodygreen. She has a B.A. in Organizational Studies and English from the University of Michigan, and her work has appeared in Coveteur, The Chill Times, and Wyld Skincare.

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May 25, 2023

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Every beauty professional has their nonnegotiable steps. In our series, Like a Pro, we tap experts for the top three techniques they absolutely swear by. Here, you’ll hear from a variety of industry insiders on the fail-safe tricks they always keep in their back pockets. We’re all about simplifying your beauty regimen wherever you can, and sometimes the best routines are as easy as 1, 2, 3.

It’s Mental Health Awareness Month, and you should honor the occasion however you see fit. For some, that looks like a committed journaling practice. For others, it’s engaging in mindful movement.

And for celebrity hairstylist Adam Reed, founder of ARKIVE Headcare, a grounding scalp massage helps nurture his mental well-being. “It’s about taking that moment and reconnecting,” he tells mbg. “[It] helps you unwind, and head massage has long been known to help relaxation1 and better headcare.” Not for nothing, scalp massages can also stimulate blood flow up top, which sends oxygen and hair-healthy nutrients to the follicles—which, in turn, sparks faster hair growth2. 

So grab your hair oil du jour—I highly suggest Reed’s The Good Habit Hybrid Oil—and follow his tips below. 

2.

Massage with your fingers and a brush 

1. Effleurage: Gentle fingertip movement
2. Petrissage: Slow, kneading movement
3. Rotary: Firm circular movement
4. Friction: Gentle rubbing movement
5. Tapotement: Gentle tapping motion (“I’ll also tap my temples, because again, it just brings you into the moment,” Reed adds. “For me, that’s the key for looking after your head.”)

Repeat the process two to six times, then if you really want to go the extra mile, grab a detangling brush—ideally one with long, flexible teeth (like this one from Amazon). Then just detangle your hair as you normally would, with broad front-to-back strokes. 

“The pulling motion is really relaxing,” says Reed. “That’s why sitting and brushing your hair or brushing somebody else’s hair is such a relaxing thing for both parties.” The brushing also exfoliates the scalp, he notes, which further stimulates the follicles. “Just make sure you keep the brush that you use washed and clean,” he reminds us. “Just use a little bit of shampoo after every time you use it, and you’ll get that really nice, clean brush every time.”

3.

Finish with a cold water rinse 

After your scalp massage, you’ll want to thoroughly rinse out the lingering product—that’s why many choose to massage with a pre-shampoo treatment, like a rich, luxurious oil. Feel free to shampoo and condition your hair as usual, but Reed recommends topping off your shower with a shot of cold water, if you can.  

Not only does cool water help the scalp retain its moisture, but it also seals down the hair cuticles and helps lock moisture into the strands themselves. The result? Smoother, shinier, less frizzy hair. 

But according to Reed, the cold water rinse also provides some rejuvenating, stimulating properties for your scalp. “Lift your shower head away, so the water is running through your hair,” he notes. (Think of it like a DIY rain shower, as opposed to spraying directly on the back of your head.) “The water helps to massage, and with cold water, it’s really nice.”