How to Do a Relaxing Scalp Massage with Apricot Oil

A scalp massage is one of the simplest ways to slow down. Done with a light oil, it also leaves a dry, tight scalp feeling more comfortable and your hair ready for a pre-wash treatment. You don't need any tools or training: just your fingertips and five minutes.

Why massage your scalp?

• It's relaxing. Many people hold tension in the scalp, temples and neck.
• It helps spread oil evenly before a pre-wash treatment.
• It can make a dry, tight scalp feel more comfortable.
• It's a ritual. A few quiet minutes away from your phone.

You may read that scalp massage makes hair grow. The evidence for that is limited, so we won't promise it, but it's a lovely habit for its own sake.

Why apricot oil for the scalp?

Apricot kernel oil is the lightest of our oils. It glides easily, so your fingers move without dragging, and it's easier to wash out than heavier oils. That makes it ideal for the scalp, especially for fine hair or anyone who finds traditional hair oils too heavy.

What you need

• About half a teaspoon of apricot oil
• Clean, dry, detangled hair
• Five quiet minutes
• An old towel around your shoulders

The 5-minute massage

1. Prepare. Warm the oil between your palms. Part your hair and dab oil along a few partings with your fingertips.
2. Hairline (1 minute). Place your fingertips at your hairline and make small, slow circles, moving gradually back.
3. Crown (1 minute). Spread your fingers over the top of your head and gently move the scalp in circles, without sliding over the hair.
4. Temples (1 minute). With flat fingers, make slow circles at your temples. This is often where tension sits.
5. Behind the ears and nape (1 minute). Work your fingertips behind your ears and down the back of your neck.
6. Finish (1 minute). Run your fingers through your hair from front to back, gently lifting at the roots.

Massaging someone else

If you're giving a champi to a family member, have them sit in a chair while you stand behind. Use the same steps, with slightly firmer pressure if they like it, and always ask. Finish with a few slow strokes down the neck and across the shoulders.

After the massage

Leave the oil for 30 minutes or more, then shampoo. Or make it part of a full hair oiling routine, working more oil through your lengths. For timing, see how long to leave oil in hair.

Dry scalp massage

You don't always need oil. A dry scalp massage, using the same technique on clean hair, is a good way to relax at the end of the day, and you can do it as often as you like.

Who should be careful

If you have a sensitive scalp, psoriasis, eczema, broken skin or any skin condition, check with a doctor first. Patch test any new oil, and avoid kernel oils if you have a nut allergy.