Shampoo Brush: Nearly 60% of Women Not Using It, Room for Scalp Care Habit Formation, VeSS Survey on Women's Summer Hair and Scalp Care

Bess Industrial Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Higashiosaka City, Osaka; President: Koichi Abe), a long-established manufacturer of beauty accessories including hair brushes since its founding in 1928, conducted a 'Survey on Women's Summer Hair and Scalp Care' targeting 880 women aged 18 to 65 nationwide, ahead of summer when concerns about scalp troubles due to sweat, sebum, and ultraviolet rays increase.

From the rainy season to the height of summer, the scalp environment faces its most challenging season of the year. As temperature and humidity rise, sebum and sweat secretion increases, and UV damage adds to the burden, making scalp problems such as greasiness, odor, and itching more likely to occur. During this period when more women feel the need to review their daily shampoo habits, what is the actual state of their care routines?

This survey investigated the care habits and concerns regarding hair and scalp among 880 women aged 18 to 65 nationwide. We hope this release serves as a reference for considering women's hair and scalp health this summer.

Summary of 'Survey on Women's Summer Hair and Scalp Care'

- Only 16% use a shampoo brush 'daily'
- 40% of women suffer from 'dryness and gray hair', risk of worsening in summer
- For hair health, 'sleep' is more important than 'shampoo'
- Over 60% of women spend less than 3 minutes shampooing
- Over 60% prioritize 'removing dirt' when shampooing

[Topics] Do you use a shampoo brush? (n=880, single answer)

Shampoo Brush: Only 16% Use Daily, Nearly 60% Not Using

When asked about their use of a shampoo brush, only 16.4% responded 'use daily', and even when combined with 'use occasionally' (23.8%), the proportion using it in some form was about 40% (40.2%). On the other hand, combining 'do not use at all' (46.1%) and 'hardly ever use' (13.8%) revealed that nearly 60% (59.9%) are not actively incorporating it into their routine.

A shampoo brush is an item that can effectively remove dirt from the scalp that is difficult to reach with fingers, while also promoting blood circulation and providing a scalp massage effect. Summer, when sweat and sebum secretion increases and the scalp environment is prone to disruption, is precisely the season when its effects are most beneficial. Nevertheless, this survey highlighted that its penetration as a daily care tool is still limited.

Adding a simple step to daily shampooing can significantly change the quality of scalp care. For those concerned about summer scalp troubles, using a shampoo brush could be an easy option to start with.

Q1. What are your hair concerns? (n=880, multiple answers)

40% of Women Suffer from 'Dryness and Gray Hair', Risk of Worsening in Summer

When asked about hair concerns, the most common answer was 'dryness and frizziness of hair' (40.5%), followed closely by 'gray hair' (39.8%) in second place, and 'frizz/waviness' (34.8%) in third. All top three concerns are related to aging and hair quality, revealing that many women feel challenged by qualitative changes in their hair.

The difference between the first and second place was only 0.7 percentage points. Dryness and gray hair are almost equally common concerns across generations. Summer, when the scalp environment is easily disrupted by UV rays, humidity, and sweat, is a season when dryness, frizz, waviness, and gray hair concerns tend to worsen. Being conscious of scalp care before summer is important for maintaining healthy hair.

Q2. What factors do you consider important for maintaining hair health? (n=880, multiple answers)

For Hair Health, 'Sleep' is More Important than 'Shampoo'

When asked about factors considered important for maintaining hair health, 'sufficient sleep and stress management' ranked first (29.3%), followed closely by 'keeping the scalp clean' (28.7%) and 'using appropriate shampoo and conditioner' (28.0%).

The fact that lifestyle habits like sleep and stress management are valued more than hair care products suggests a growing awareness that hair and scalp conditions are influenced by internal body conditions. Summer, when sleep quality tends to decline and stress and UV damage accumulate, is precisely when care from both 'inside' and 'outside' is effective for preventing scalp problems.

Q3. What is your average shampooing time (time spent scrubbing)? (n=880, single answer)

Over 60% of Women Shampoo for Less Than 3 Minutes

When asked about their average shampooing time, the most common answer was '1 to less than 3 minutes' (50.1%), accounting for half of the respondents. Combined with 'less than 1 minute' (11.2%), it was found that over 60% (61.3%) of women finish shampooing in less than 3 minutes.

Summer, when sweat and sebum increase, is a season when the scalp environment is prone to disruption. Many women's shampooing time is short, potentially leading to insufficient cleansing. On the other hand, 34.4% of respondents reported shampooing for 3 minutes or more, indicating that a certain number of women are conscious of thorough cleansing and scalp massage. The survey reveals significant individual differences in summer scalp care awareness.

Q4. What effects do you particularly prioritize when shampooing? (n=880, multiple answers)

Over 60% Prioritize 'Removing Dirt' When Shampooing

When asked about the effects they particularly prioritize when shampooing, 'removing dirt from the scalp' (58.1%) was the most common answer, and combined with 'removing dirt from the hair' (53.0%), a tendency to prioritize cleansing effects dominated the top responses.

On the other hand, items related to scalp environment care, such as 'promoting blood circulation' (21.1%), 'improving scalp health' (20.9%), and 'reducing dandruff and itching' (19.9%), also garnered support from about 20% of respondents, indicating a shift in awareness where the desired effects of shampooing are expanding from 'cleansing' to 'care'. Summer, when sweat and sebum increase, is a season where balancing cleansing and care becomes more important. With growing interest not just in removing dirt but also in maintaining a healthy scalp environment, this is drawing attention as an opportunity to review daily shampoo habits.

Commentary on the 'Survey on Women's Summer Hair and Scalp Care' (by Nagai, Product Development Department)

From the rainy season to summer, rising temperatures and humidity increase sebum and sweat secretion. Combined with UV damage, this is the most stressful season for the scalp.

This survey found that about 40% of women are troubled by 'dryness' and 'gray hair'. Both are concerns that tend to worsen in summer, and I feel it is important to establish care habits before the season fully arrives.

Looking at the actual state of hair washing, over 60% of women shampoo for 'less than 3 minutes'. While this is understandable in busy daily life, short washing times may not be sufficient to remove dirt deep within pores.

It was also impressive that 'sleep and stress management' was cited as the most important factor for hair health. The recognition is spreading that balancing 'internal' care, such as diet and sleep lifestyle habits, with 'external' care, like keeping the scalp clean, is the shortcut to healthy hair.