"Oxidative stress on the scalp can cause not only inflammation, but also aging of the scalp, which can result in hair thinning and hair loss," says Dr. Mun. "Also, the clogging of the follicles on the scalp could similarly result in breakage, dryness, and even hair loss."

He points to studies that suggest your scalp health can impact your hair growth. This is why a scalp massage brush can be so useful—keep scrolling for how these work to improve your hair health.

Benefits of using a scalp massage brush

A scalp massage brush is a handheld brush meant specifically for scrubbing your head and is slightly different than the usual brush you'd use to style your hair. Scalp-focused brushes are typically smaller, round, and have silicone or plastic bristles versus the bushy, coarse bristles you're used to with a regular brush.

"These are used to clean the scalp and exfoliate dead skin cells as well as increase blood circulation to the scalp," says Gretchen Fries, a BosleyMD trichologist.

This boost in circulation is one reason why brushing your scalp can promote a healthy environment for hair growth. "Scalp massage brushes help stimulate the cells within the scalp, causing blood flow to increase and promoting the distribution of nutrients throughout the scalp and hair roots," says Dr. Mun.

The sloughing away of scalp build-up can purportedly help with hair growth, too. "Brushes for the scalp help remove dirt and build-up that's clogging the hair follicles on the scalp, which promotes hair growth as well as healthier hair," says Dr. Mun."

The use of a scalp scrub while massaging can help remove dead skin cells, oils, and product buildup that can clog follicles and cause hair loss," adds Fries.

If a scalp brush isn't quite your thing, you can turn to a trusty scalp scrub product for a similar effect.