Have You Heard of Head Spas? They're Key to Healthy Hair

You know that glorious moment during a salon visit when the stylist shampoos your hair? The creamy lather, the cascading water and—good God—the scalp massage that’s never long enough…sorry, where were we? Ah, yes, the massage. Imagine extending that wonderful moment for a half hour or more and you’ve got yourself a Japanese head spa treatment.

What’s a head spa treatment? According to Yoshie Sakuma, a stylist at the Pierre Michel Salon in New York City, it’s literally a “facial for the scalp.” Influenced by Indian Ayurveda practices, the treatment combines deep cleansing and conditioning with a relaxing head massage to get rid of any oily buildup on your scalp and promote blood circulation to the area. And yes, it feels just as incredible as it sounds.

Who is it for? Anyone and everyone. When you think about it, most of us typically spend a minute or less washing our hair, so it’s no surprise that we’re not getting rid of all the dirt and oil on our scalps. In the short term, this can lead to itching and dandruff; in the long term, it can clog your follicles, which can cause strands to grow in thinner. Plus, there’s the immediate benefit of having super shiny and extra voluminous hair for days afterward.

What if my salon doesn’t offer it? You can get similar benefits at home by occasionally swapping in an exfoliating shampoo and taking the extra time to really work it into your scalp. Using the pads of your fingertips, firmly massage your head section by section, slowly working your way from the front to the back and making sure to get the sides as well. Rinse thoroughly and repeat every few weeks as needed. And if you’re ever visiting a salon and see “head spa” on the menu, don’t hesitate.

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