Hair spas have their roots in Japan, based on ancient practices that combine massages and herbal tinctures. Since their introduction into Japanese salons in the 1990s, they have gained popularity in Asia and are now proliferating in the United States.

Typical hair spa sessions last between 60 and 90 minutes, beginning with a scalp inspection, followed by deep cleansing, exfoliation, and massages of the head, face, and neck.

Many services include essential oils, conditioning masks, and aromatherapy in relaxing environments.

Benefits of hair spas

Some hair spas make claims about health benefits, such as stress relief and treating scalp conditions.

Experts warn that it is preferable to consult a dermatologist for hair health problems. Spas can be complementary to medical treatments, but should not replace them.

Customer experiences

Clients reported rejuvenating and relaxing experiences to the Associated Press (AP), highlighting the effectiveness of these treatments in relieving accumulated tension, especially for those who spend long hours in front of a computer.

“Normally when I go for a massage, they focus on my back, and I always wish they massaged my head more, especially my face and neck,” said Karena Kong, a regular customer at Nen Head Spa in San Francisco. “When I saw that they offered a 90-minute massage for just the head, face and shoulders, it seemed like a great way to focus on the areas I like the most.”

“I always fall asleep and take a nap, because it's very relaxing,” Crystle Vitari, who first visited a hair spa during a trip to South Korea and finds it “rejuvenating,” told AP.

Differences with conventional treatments

Hair spa treatments tend to focus more on the scalp, relaxation and overall hair health, while conventional hair treatments usually seek a faster aesthetic result on the hair fiber, such as softness, shine or superficial hydration.

In general, the hair spa works more “from the roots”, and the conventional treatment more “on the hair”.

Main differences

When is each one appropriate?

Think of the hair spa as a more preventive and global treatment, and of the conventional treatment as a more cosmetic and punctual solution. Both can complement a hair routine well, but they do not fulfill exactly the same function.

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