Change In Gene Expression By Massaging Scalp (study, 01/2016)

[Koga]

The study is probably flawed as there were only 9 participants involved, but still. Individual hair diameter would seem to improve by 7% (I don't know how visible this would be?), but more importantly and I quote:

"Finite element method showed that scalp massage caused z-direction displacement and von Mises stress on subcutaneous tissue. In vitro, DNA microarray showed gene expression change significantly compared with nonstretching human dermal papilla cells. A total of 2655 genes were upregulated and 2823 genes were downregulated. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction demonstrated increased expression of hair cycle-related genes such as NOGGIN, BMP4, SMAD4, and IL6ST and decrease in hair loss-related genes such as IL6."

What does this mean? Is applying mechanical force to our scalp probably worth the little effort or can we conclude no such thing from this study?

Link to the study

 

[SmoothSailing]

I think that the small increase in blood flow could very well have a very small positive affect on your hair.

There's a lot of anecdotal evidence but I've never read a good study on it.

I have noticed that since I've started doing it (about 5 min every day) that my tight skin on the top and temples of my head has loosened up a bit. This seems like a positive because my skin was tightest where my hair was worst.

 

[Calchas]

This seems like a positive because my skin was tightest where my hair was worst.

Exactly.There's a correlation between mechanical tension on the scalp and increased balding.Massaging won't solve the problem though,as we need to unload the occipitofrontalis muscle and not overload it mechanistically.

 

[Roberto_72]

The study is probably flawed as there were only 9 participants involved, but still. Individual hair diameter would seem to improve by 7% (I don't know how visible this would be?), but more importantly and I quote:




What does this mean? Is applying mechanical force to our scalp probably worth the little effort or can we conclude no such thing from this study?

Link to the study

7% is a good increase if you add it to... 7% minoxidil, 7% finasteride, 7% hormones...

 

[buckthorn]

7% is a good increase if you add it to... 7% minoxidil, 7% finasteride, 7% hormones...

7% is a good increase if *I* add it to 0% minoxidil, -35% finasteride, -15% hormones, -10% RU... etc haha

 

[worm]

As @SmoothSailing mentioned, I totally ascribe to this idea.

Minoxidil, I hear is supposed increase blood flow, which in turn increases hair growth. I think massaging stimulates a similar effect.

I tend to massage my scalp throughout the day to keep it loose, unfortunately it becomes greasy AF as a result. However, I figure the looser the scalp the higher the oxygen and blood flow. It's all anecdotal, but I think it has something to do with inflammation as well. For example, I use head and shoulders near everyday, trying to keep my follicles clear of sebum as well as use my zix, which I believe is anti-inflammatory, and for the most part my scalp generally feels relaxed.

I think that's a big part of the reason how ive managed to maintain most of my hair over the past 20 years.

7% is significant in my opinion.

 

[mdmnota]

I massage my scalp as well, but only before showers. Beacuse of the sebum production you already mentioned. I don't know if there is an improvment in hair diameter, but scalp feels so much better afterwards.

On the other hand, what worries me is that I shed like crazy while massaging.

 

[Roberto_72]

It's an increase in hair diameter, not hair count. What the study suggests is that this improves the health of existing hairs, not that it grows new ones.

I'd really like to see a study on cooling and Androgenetic Alopecia; there are studies about cooling and chemo-related loss, but not on Androgenetic Alopecia AFAIK. As inflammation is a major component of hair loss, I would be shocked if wearing a cooling cap wouldn't positively impact the disease.

It does not even increase hair growth speed, which is also a component of thinning.

However, hair thickness contributes to the aesthetic presentation of your hair, which in the end is what I am looking for (until something better come around).

 

[champpy]

It's an increase in hair diameter, not hair count. What the study suggests is that this improves the health of existing hairs, not that it grows new ones.

I'd really like to see a study on cooling and Androgenetic Alopecia; there are studies about cooling and chemo-related loss, but not on Androgenetic Alopecia AFAIK. As inflammation is a major component of hair loss, I would be shocked if wearing a cooling cap wouldn't positively impact the disease.

I'm right on board with you here buddy. I have the same Theory last summer and I bought an ice pack and some wrap and every night I would tape it around the top of my head. First of all it was so damn heavy it cause some neck pain. Then when I left it on it got so cold I couldn't bear it anymore then about 5 or 10 minutes at a time.
My next option was to dip my head in a bucket of cold water and let it sit in there but that made my head tingle and gave me a headache kind of feel.
My theory behind cooling the scalp is that it might possibly slow down some of the metabolic activity going on in the cells and when that slows down maybe you would slow down the aging process as well.
Any idea where to get a real cooling cap that we can try out other than for the chemo people because those things are very expensive

 

[SmoothSailing]

But without a hair count, how do you know that messaging doesn't do more harm than good by causing more hair to be physically removed from the head? I don't know about you, but if you "messaged" most people's head, they'd have some hairs pulled out.

Surely, unless you are going way overboard, the only hairs that will fall are lose ones that would have fallen out very soon regardless?

At least that's what I thought.

 

[Dench57]

2017

scalp massages

 

[Roberto_72]

But without a hair count, how do you know that messaging doesn't do more harm than good by causing more hair to be physically removed from the head? I don't know about you, but if you "messaged" most people's head, they'd have some hairs pulled out.

Fortunately it is not my case.
Hair is very anchored on my head because all of the telogen hair fell out already over the years.
Presently when I pass a comb through my hair no strand falls out. I only have a little hair but staying strong...

But yeah, lack of density increase is a let down.

 

[resu]

Scalp massage group buy.

 

[Bad_Wolve]

Scalp massage group buy.

wondering about what the price would be. can someone contact kane?

 

[worm]

Are there any patent laws on this?

Im willing to pay at least 100 euro if not 200 euro a month. f*** it, I'll pay the cost of a good transplant to for a scalp massage.

 

[Armando Jose]

"A total of 2655 genes were upregulated and 2823 genes were downregulated" only for scalp massage???

Interesting

 

[Afro_Vacancy]

@Armando Jose

I really appreciate your open-mindedness to genuine science.

 

[Hangin'on Hair]

I'll rub yours if you rub mine.
Who's in???

 

[resu]

Scalp massages is all this guy does, still bald.

https://www.youtube.com/user/tarmax82/videos

 

[Armando Jose]

It is not a cure, but what about prevention?
BTW my brother in law is an example of mantaining his hair due at scalp massaging.