Now I know that Nesta often comes up with some pretty spurious claims and "advice", however, I'm not sure why everyone is ratting on him about his scalp massage habits.
Everyone knows that massage of any sort helps to increase blood flow to the areas that are massaged and surrounding tissue. Massage has been shown to be beneficial in reducing stress, stimluating circulation and tissue rejuvenation. It is therefore relatively clear that massaging one's scalp regularly will help to increase blood flow in the scalp generally, and the supply of nutrients to cells in the scalp, such as our follicles and papillae. Really, the only kind of result to be achieved from scalp massage is a beneficial one. It may not regrow new hair, or perform major cosmetic miracles, but it will, at the very least, be beneficial. Hey - you might even find it relaxing, thereby stopping any stress related loss(?!).
Whilst no one is exactly sure about the mechanism by which topical minoxidil assists in the regrowth of hair, the mechanism most commonly attributed is that minoxidil increases blood flow to the capillaries around the hair follicle. This in turn assists in the increased supply of nutrients to the follicle. The lasercomb is another treatment, the true mechanism of which is not known, which may assist in regrowth by helping to increase blood flow to the scalp capillaries (as well as generally 'stimulating' the follicles).
It follows that, whilst not causing regrowth or inhibiting DHT by itself, massage would be a very beneficial adjunct to the BIG 3 or the other treatments we use. I can easily see how such massage just prior to the application of topicals would increase absorption and just generally give an extra boost to our treatments.
Hell - the Indians and East Asians have been practising scalp massage for thousands of years and absolutely swear by it. They generally have some pretty damn good hair too!
Anyway, I am going to start incorporating 10 mins of scalp massage a day into my regime... until I purchase a lasercomb later this year that is. Thanks for the heads up and reminder in this case, Nesta.
Cheers
Def