If the scalp massage is your favorite part of getting your hair done, consider booking a head spa treatment. Beyond relaxation in the moment, specialists claim this comprehensive service can improve scalp and hair health, stimulate hair growth, and promote overall well-being.
These treatments, sometimes called “scalp facials,” have surged in popularity this year–you might’ve seen the luxurious halo sprinklers on TikTok or Instagram–but it’s not a new concept. Rooted in Japanese wellness rituals, head spa practices have provided holistic care for centuries.
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Haven Salon & HeadSpa in Brentwood has expanded its head spa offerings over the last few years, but owner Tina Ratsaboutseua says she’s been using similar techniques on clients for about 20 years, including Indian holistic treatments like ayurvedic head massage.
“I focus on the marma points in our scalp and in our temple region, which are associated with calming the nervous system and reducing stress,” she describes. “By stimulating these points, the client can experience really deep relaxation and reduced anxiety.”
Her head spa services have helped clients with alopecia who visited upon a medical referral to complement their hair-growth therapies, and she’s also treated hair loss due to stress, COVID-19 infection, and hormonal issues.
“Each head spa service is unique to each client depending on if we’re going to do hair follicle simulation, an herbal scalp detox treatment, [or] a scalp massage to improve cognitive function,” Ratsaboutseua says, listing just a few options. “Some people like it for the mind-body connection, and for others, it’s holistic healing.”
Tasha Thurmond, founder of Salon Elite in Ellisville, affirms the full-body benefits of head spas: “When done properly, your sinuses open up–you feel like you can breathe better. You have more blood circulation to your head… It’s a very awakening sensation to your whole head and wellbeing.”
Each Salon Elite head spa package includes a detoxifying shampoo, deep scalp and hair conditioning, infused water halo rinse, and massages. Thurmond says scalp facials can nourish hair and accelerate growth not only for those struggling with hair thinning and loss, but also for clients who simply want to grow longer locks. The salon’s Hair Loss Center offers advanced therapies for more serious cases.
The head spa pods here look like something out of a sci-fi film with its cocoon-like structure secluded in a dimly lit, blue-hued room. “Equipped with full-body massaging, water halos, and steam capsules, our head spas are the ultimate indulgence,” the website describes. The pods arrived almost a year ago and have generated enough buzz to motivate some clients to travel from out of state.
“We wanted our guests to experience the best equipment, as well as the most sanitary equipment,” Thurmond says. “Our pods are fully plumbed, and I think that’s something important for a consumer to ask when they are seeking a facility that does these services. Because if not, [the water might be] recirculated or reused and only filtered before being used on multiple persons.”
Salon scalp services may provide relief for dermatitis, dandruff, psoriasis, and other conditions, but it’s best to first seek advice from a board-certified dermatologist, especially for hair thinning or loss. Other guidelines and restrictions on treatment are listed on Salon Elite’s website.
Discuss your goals and concerns at the beginning of your appointment, and expect the technician to provide individualized recommendations. “It should really be a service you do monthly [at a salon] and also incorporate daily in your lifestyle,” Ratsaboutseua adds.
Haven Salon & HeadSpa standalone treatments start at $90, and Salon Elite’s start at $71. Other metro area spas and salons that offer similar experiences as add-on and standalone services include: Four Seasons Hotels Spa, Mahogany Beauty Bar & Head Spa, Notch + Mill, and Salon Two One Zero.
