DIY Indian Head Massage

Indian Head Massage has been an Ayurvedic staple for over 4000 years. Mentioned in the original transcripts, it’s been used to heal and soothe throughout the ages.

Today, Indian Head Massage is used by many practitioners to tackle the stresses of modern life.  Anxiety, ill health, and inflammation can all be eased, so it’s well placed as a well being tool.

It works by:

·        Stimulating the lymphatic system

·        Easing tension in the neck and shoulders

·        Reducing pressure headaches

·        Increasing blood flow

·        Reducing knots

Best of all, it can be used in your own home, by yourself whenever you need it, with some simple DIY tips and tricks.

Benefits Of Indian Head Massage.

As mentioned above, using a head massage helps aid with stress and anxiety levels; so if you find you're often overwhelmed with everyday life it's a helpful tool to de-stress. One bonus is that reducing stress can help with our hair health; preventing hair loss and greying.

The boost to your circulation and relaxation benefits will also help improve your sleep; and we all know, a good night's sleep is vital to skin and hair health.

Regularly practised head massage isn't just beneficial to your stress levels - it is a fantastic scalp aid that promotes growth and stimulation of the hair follicles. So if you find you are struggling with fine, thinning hair, or an irritated, dry scalp - taking ten minutes for a regular head massage may help.

If fine, thinning hair, and an irritated scalp is your main concern - you might also find it helpful to try an additional Bhringaraj treatment once a month. Bhringaraj is an ancient Ayurvedic herb that helps strengthen hair and treat the scalp, aiding dandruff.

What do I need for an Indian Head Massage?

You can perform Indian Head Massage when washing your hair; using a pre-wash oil; by using one of our Ayurvedic treatments saturated in oil; or even completely dry, if you'd prefer. 

Using an oil, such as the Macadamia and Argan oil, will help hydrate your scalp and hair. It also reduces friction when doing the massage; so if you're concerned about greasy hair, use only a couple of drops of oil in your hands.

If you're a fan of a no-poo cleanser, such as Reetha or Shikakai, using the routine when washing with these can help them cleanse your scalp more effectively. You don't want to be too vigorous; a gentle massage is absolutely fine - but it will help  the mixture soak into your roots and scalp when you wash.

You can double up the effectiveness of your treatment by warming some Amla in coconut or sesame oil. Amla, or Indian Gooseberry, is used to add shine and promote health for your hair at the same time.  

How to do an Indian Head Massage routine:

1. Grip about an inch of hair at the roots and gently tug from side to side, keeping your knuckles very close to the scalp. A twisting motion makes this easier, but be careful not to pull or snap the hair
2. Push in wide, slow circles at the temples with the heels of the hands
3. Looking down, squeeze and massage the back of the neck. Begin at the top of the neck and work your way down, first with one hand and then with the other hand.
4. Place the thumb of your left hand under the base of your head and relax the area using a rubbing motion left to right. Switch sides after about two minutes.
5. Place your left hand on your right shoulder and gently squeeze the shoulder from the clavicle. Work your way outwards along your shoulder to your arm and then down as far as your elbow. Repeat x2, then switch sides
6. Gently use your thumbs and forefingers to apply pressure to the scalp and temple for up to ten seconds on each area. This helps release tension.
7. Finally, rub lightly with your hands all over the head; extend this movement to cover your face. You can use these movements without oil. If possible, allow a few minutes afterwards to relax.

Learn more about Amla here >>

Read about the benefits of Argan oil here >>

For any other questions, speak to our hair experts here >>