What is hair tapping you ask? Consider the literal translation: a massage with tapping motions that can be practiced during shampooing.
I thought I understood the various gestures, routines and techniques used in the salon to perfect the shampooing process…until I recently heard about knocking hair from Laura Romero Benefits, Director of Training at Guerlain Spain. According to Romero, this unexpected movement—the act of lightly tapping the head with your fingertips—can help stimulate blood circulation to the scalp.
I already know the benefits of light tapping. Daily scalp massage is one way to prevent hair loss. Dermatologist Eduardo Lopez Bran has told me that, in addition to providing the important relaxing effect of relieving scalp tension, hair massage activates blood circulation around the hair follicles, which “benefits the penetration of any product”.
Romero backs this up, adding that completing a traditional head massage with these stroking motions, and even adding a gentle pinch, can provide extra volume. It needs to be clarified here that the word “tapping” originally refers to an emotional release technique based on the principles of acupuncture, targeting different specific points on the body; in this case, tapping the hair is associated with stimulating blood flow and improving lymphatic The drumming or tapping motion of drainage is more closely related. In fact, Mane Addicts, a digital community dedicated to hair care founded by Kardashian stylist Jen Atkin, talked up the benefits of the movement not too long ago. In this case, it is advisable to try tapping fingers soaked in essential oils such as neroli or bergamot on dry hair in relatively quick, gentle motions.
Romero, however, recommends a more traditional massage first, using dragging motions. She recommends starting at the top of the head, going to the nape of the head, passing through the crown, and then starting the hair tapping exercise. “Gently pressing to drain the scalp is very important because the scalp is an extension of our skin like our nails,” she says, referring to the benefits of stimulating scalp tissue, another step in scalp care. Long live the hair massage in the shower.
This article was originally published in Vogue Spain.
