If you’ve never experienced a head spa before, the simplest way to describe it is this: one part blissful head massage and shampoo, one part technical scalp treatment. Or at least, this is the style I practice.
Since there aren’t many around where I live, I tend to get a lot of questions about what a head spa really is. It’s fair to ask, especially since the reality is that “head spa” isn’t a standardized or regulated term.
Of course, there’s no replacement for the bliss of experiencing it for yourself… but I thought I’d give you a taster of what head spas are and how mine in particular works.
Not All Head Spas Are the Same
First of all, it’s good to know that the term head spa can mean different things to different people.
Some head spas are hair salons with the added bonus of head massages and other scalp treatments that just feel really good – nothing wrong with that! Others focus exclusively on scalp-oriented services intended to help support dry scalp, dandruff, and other challenges. (The feel-good head massage is a staple of these spots, too.)
The key difference is what you want out of the experience: pure relaxation and luxury, or that plus a tailored treatment with a deeper understanding of your scalp and how to care for it.
Hair Salon Plus Custom Head Spa Treatments
My sanctuary falls somewhere in between. You can still book the same hair salon services I’ve offered for 14 years now, and you can also book a head spa appointment grounded in custom scalp care.
I knew if I was going to step into the head spa realm I wanted to do it with a strong foundation. I was drawn to the nervous system side of it – how scalp treatments and massage can help people feel more cared for. But I was also thinking about the clients I’d seen over the years struggling with hair and scalp issues. I often wished I could help them more.
So before I opened mine I travelled to San Diego to study with a trichologist (the technical term for a hair and scalp specialist).
Leenanne was…. Amazing and taught me so much!
How a Head Spa Session Works
During a head spa session, at least at my salon, here’s a brief overview of what you can expect.
First we chat over a cup of herbal tea, and I learn more about what you’re looking for. Some folks come for the feel-good aspect, some have curiosity about their scalp health in general, and some are looking for help with specific issues like dandruff or psoriasis.
Once we’ve got that clear, I look at your scalp under my tiny hair microscope (trichoscope!) so I can build your custom protocol. For example, if what I’m seeing indicates a dry scalp, we want more moisture for your skin, whereas if I see scalp areas with dandruff, I’d veer toward more exfoliation or products that help fight Malassezia.
Next, you put your feet up, slip an eye mask on, and receive your tailored protocol of nourishing treatments that feel incredible in the moment and support your scalp and hair longer term.
You also get to see the satisfying before and after images of your scalp from the trichoscope and walk back into your day with specific techniques or tool recommendations for your long-term, at-home hair and scalp care.
Rest and Relaxation Plus Scalp Support
So while a head spa can mean different things depending on where you go, mine is kind of a bridge between a long exhale of relaxation and the more technical, personalized support that can truly make a difference over time.
For me, that’s what makes this work meaningful. I get to offer something that feels calming and restorative in the moment, while also helping you better understand your scalp, your hair, and how to take care of them both long term. My hope is that when you leave, you feel relaxed, cared for, and more educated on at-home scalp care than you were when you walked in.
