How To Do A Head Massage: A Complete Guide With Pictures

1. Clean Your Hands

The first and foremost thing you want to start with before giving a massage is washing your hands. It is quite simple, you just need to scrub your hand with handwash and warm water. Remember to take your time so that your hands are completely clean. An ideal hand washing time is around 20 to 30 seconds.

A well-washed hand can help you maintain hygiene during the entire process. It also helps in avoiding unwanted dirt from the person's scalp.

2. Find A Comfortable Spot

After you are done with your hands, find a suitable spot for the person seeking the massage. You can either ask them to sit on a chair with a headrest or lie down in a comfortable position. Letting the person rest in a comfortable position helps them stay relaxed throughout the massage.

A proper spot can also be beneficial for you as it allows you to perform the session with more efficiency.

3. Play Relaxing Music And Dim The Lights

Playing relaxing music and using dim lighting can make the massage experience more soothing. It will help the person relax better without any disruptions and annoying rays from the room's light.

4. Apply Wet Heat To The Person's Head

Now you can start the actual process. Begin by applying wet heat to the person's head to help them feel a sense of relaxation in the beginning. For this, you can either wrap a hot towel around the person's head or simply use some hot water to wash their head beforehand.

In both cases, make sure the person's head is under heat for at least 10 to 15 minutes.

5. Detangle The Hair

Next, you just have to get the hair ready for the process. Grab a comb and gently brush through the person's hair to remove any tangles before getting started. Go slowly to avoid any pain and irritation to the person.

Instead of a comb, you can also use your fingers to work through big tangles. Meanwhile, if you hit a tangle later during the massage, try not to pull it with pressure as the pain from this can get the person out of their relaxed moment.

6. Apply Oil

Using a good quality oil will make the massage more soothing. Any regular oil from your kitchen can do the job but avocado, coconut, and mustard oil are the best choices.

Pour a small amount into your hands and rub it for a moment to make it warm. As the oil starts to feel warm, apply it to the sides with your fingertips. Slowly move towards the top of the head and make sure to hydrate every corner.

1. Start Slowly

After you are all set, begin the head massage with slow, gentle movements. An ideal starting head massage technique would be running the fingers from the sides to the top and back in a controlled way. Going slow is the key to maximizing the relaxation for the person from the massage.

This feels a lot better than faster movements. So always try to start with slow-paced movements and gradually keep on increasing or decreasing the pace.

2. Use Small Circular Movements

While moving from one part to another on a person's head, make multiple circular movements. Use your fingertips to create comfortable motions by moving them in a way similar to making a circle.

Follow the pattern a couple of times to cover the entire head of the person. You can also use this motion multiple times.

3. Move Towards The Neck

After running your fingers onto the person's head a few times, you can now move towards the neck. Support the neck with one hand and rub it with your thumb on one side and the other fingers on the other side.

This rubbing motion should feel like grabbing onto something but in a gentle way. Start from the top and slowly get down to the bottom while moving the skin.

4. Massage The Head Using Your Palms

Next, you want to start utilizing the heels of your palms. Place the heels of both your palms close to the temples and try to connect both your hands together. Now apply light pressure and push upwards for a few seconds.

Follow the same movement for a couple of times all over the head.

1. Ask The Person To Lie Down On Their Back

A deep massage is mostly performed by using more pressure as compared to a basic massage. A lying position during this massage would be more convenient for the person getting the massage. 

So ask them to lie down facing upwards while you stand beside the top of their head. This will help you perform all the movements in an easy way without affecting the person's relaxed state.

2. Massage The Neck And The Base Of The Head

Following a different movement from the basic massage, place your hands under the person's head to start. While stroking backward, find the starting part of the head. Once you are at the base of the head, rest your fingertips on the ridge and slowly start to rub the neck in a circular motion.

Remember to use only your fingertips to make sure you are doing the massage in the correct way.

3. Make Large And More Pressured Circular Movements

As you move towards the top of the head, try and maintain the circular movement while increasing the pressure and the size in a controlled way. In addition to your fingers, try using your thumb during the movement.

Maintaining a similar motion, reach to the crown and slowly get to the temples. At the temples, make the circles small and try to get deep into the hair.

4. Use Hair Tugging Technique

While stroking the person's head from top to bottom and sides, you can also use the hair-tugging technique. In this approach, you will have to stop at different parts of the head, gather a small section of hair, and pull it outwards gently.

However, this movement feels a bit harsh and is not preferred by most people. It is important to consult with the person before applying the hair-tugging technique.

There are a few things that should be avoided during head massage. Avoiding these things helps prevent injuries and ensures an enjoyable experience.

1. Massaging Over Injuries

Although massaging the head can be a beneficial practice for both physical and mental health, you would not want to explore the injured areas in the person's head during this process. Massaging through these parts can worsen the condition and cause several infections.

So it is better to avoid areas with cuts, abrasions, or any skin damage. This will let them enjoy the massage while avoiding possible adverse effects on their body.

2. Massaging Over Undiagnosed Lumps Or Bumps

Another important section you want to avoid is the area with lumps or bumps that are yet to be diagnosed. An undiagnosed lump can result due to different factors and massaging these areas can cause potential harm.

Meanwhile, if the bumps are already diagnosed, you can surely massage those areas.

3. Massaging A Sunburn Scalp

If the person seeking massage has just returned from a beach or a sunny place, it is better to keep them away from a head massage. During this time, their scalp is mostly burned by the sun, so, massaging could become painful.

Allowing them a few days' break before a message is an ideal decision to make in this situation.

4. Allergic Oils Or Skin Products

Most people think that a head massage definitely needs oil or other skin products. But this is all wrong, oils and skin products are optional and can be avoided if they cause irritation or allergies.

It is better to perform the massage on a dry scalp instead of affecting it with chemicals from allergic oils or products.

5. Cold Hands

A cold hand on the head could feel really uncomfortable during a massage. So make sure to warm your hands before starting. You can either rub both your hands together or warm them using a body heater.

6. Rushing The Massage

You will reach nowhere with a rushed massage. This will only make the person's experience less enjoyable as compared to the one done with time. Take all the time you need to ensure the massage is relaxing and effective.

Meanwhile, if you are under time constraints, it is better to skip the session and incorporate it some other day.

7. Big Meals Beforehand

Having a large meal before starting the massage provides an adverse effect on the session. Instead of feeling relaxed, the person will feel bloated throughout the session.

You could rather have a massage on an empty stomach or have a light meal if you really feel hungry. This will keep you energized without any discomfort.

With the workload of daily life, the tension on the face, jaw, and head also continues to increase significantly. A head massage is a wonderful way to relax different muscles on the head, neck, face, and shoulder.

Along with that, a head massage has various other benefits. The most popular ones include the following.

1. Improved Blood Flow

All the different movements performed during a head massage help increase blood flow. This enhanced blood flow can facilitate an efficient supply of oxygen and nutrients to the hair and scalp.

A properly done head massage not only enhances the flow of blood to the head but also to other parts of the body.

2. Relieves Headaches And Migraines

Regular massage decreases the tension of the head muscles, which will eventually help to eliminate headaches and migraines. It will also be helpful to loosen those knots which can produce headaches in the future.

3. Relaxation For Body And Mind

Following some of the best head massage tips also gives the feeling of relaxation by relieving headaches and improving blood flow. Not only does the body feel the presence of relaxation, but even the mind feels at peace and balance.

4. Promotes Hair Growth

A simple head massage every day can promote hair growth to a certain extent. Using a hair oil can make the massage more effective for hair growth.

5. Improves Mood

Head massage can also improve the mood. After a head massage, a person will be more relaxed than usual. This helps them spend their day in more fun and joyful ways.

6. Better Sleep

If a person is having trouble sleeping, then trying a head massage before bed may do some magic. It will help in sound sleep by lowering stress levels and promoting good relaxation.

7. Boosts Immune System

Regular massage can improve health by reducing stress and helping with blood circulation. These health benefits can boost the immune system as well in the long run.

Head Massages can be classified into various types based on their techniques and benefits. Understanding its variations can help you choose the best one for your client.

• Scalp Massage Or The Traditional Massage: This is a basic and one of the most famous head massage variations. In Scalp Massage, gentle pressure to the head is applied using the fingertips. Movements like circular motions and kneading are used in this variation.
• Indian Head Massage: This variation mostly focuses on special points on the head, face, and neck and usually takes around 30-40 minutes to complete. The Indian Head Massage will help balance the body's energy, get rid of headaches, and improve concentration.
• Acupressure Head Massage: A slightly complicated variation, the Acupressure Head Massage is undertaken by applying pressure to specific acupressure points on the head and the neck. This variation is mostly popular for benefits like reducing headaches and stress and promoting relaxation.
• Shiatsu Head Massage: Shiatsu Head Massage originated in Japan. This is performed by applying pressure along the meridian lines of the head in such a way that energy flow is enhanced.
• Hot Oil Head Massage: The Hot Oil Head Massage is mostly performed during the colder months by applying warm oil to the scalp. This massage provides deep nourishment to the scalp, strengthens hair, and gives a soothing experience.