August is Hair Loss Awareness Month, or as we like to think of it, ‘Scalp Health Awareness Month’.
Hair loss is quite common, affecting 85% of men and 33% of women. For men, most cases are genetic and referred to as androgenetic alopecia. For women, however, hair loss is more often triggered by hormonal changes (such as pregnancy or menopause), stress, or aging.
What many people don’t realize is that the scalp is one of the best indicators of potential issues that could eventually lead to hair loss. By regularly checking in with your scalp, you can catch signs of imbalance early, before hair loss becomes visible.
Why Scalp Mobility Matters
One of the best ways to gauge scalp health is through scalp mobility, or the ease with which your scalp moves over the skull and connects with the skin of your neck and face.
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A mobile, supple scalp typically has good blood flow to the follicles and an adequate supply of natural oils.
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Since blood flow is essential for healthy hair growth, maintaining scalp mobility throughout your life is key to preventing loss and encouraging stronger growth.
Try This At-Home Scalp Mobility Test
You can perform this simple test at home to assess scalp mobility and identify any areas of tension or tightness.
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Back of the Head: Place your hand at the back of your head and, using your fingertips, try to push your scalp back and forth toward your forehead. Observe whether you feel movement near your hairline at the front of your head.
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Nape of the Neck: Place your hands on both sides of your nape (where your skull meets your neck) and try to move your scalp side-to-side and up-and-down. Does the skin move easily, or does it feel stuck or “glued” down?
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Above the Ears: Place your hands on the left and right sides of your head. Gently try to move your scalp up-and-down and side-to-side. Again, observe whether the scalp moves freely or feels tight.
What Tightness Can Tell You
As you can probably guess, if you notice areas of tightness or restricted movement, it could indicate reduced blood flow and potential imbalance.
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Localized tightness is often caused by restrictive styling (such as tight braids or ponytails) or overly frequent wetting/washing of the hair.
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Overall tightness may be linked to age, stress, or hormonal changes.
How to Improve Scalp Mobility
The good news? You can restore healthy blood flow and scalp mobility with a few simple steps. To enhance scalp mobility and restore healthy blood flow to the follicles:
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Avoid Restrictive Styling: Skip tight hairstyles and reduce over-styling or excessive wetting.
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Massage Daily: Use your fingertips to massage your scalp for at least five minutes a day. This promotes circulation and helps reduce stress.
For best results, pair your massage with Scalp Therapy, our soothing treatment formulated with detoxifying and moisturizing ingredients to support scalp health and encourage strong, healthy hair growth.
