I tried the viral head spa treatment in Charlotte. Here's what to expect
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You can very much tell I did *not* wash my hair in preparation for this. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios
The viral head spa treatments you've likely seen making waves across social media are now available in Charlotte.
Why it matters: Several local salons are now offering the wellness trend, which has been popular for centuries across Asian cultures.
Context: I recently experienced the treatment, which I can only describe as a facial for your hair, at The Head Spa Sanctuary in South Charlotte. This locally owned spa, which opened in April, claims to use products and techniques similar to those you would find in Japan.
If you're curious to try it out, here are five things to know before you book.
The roots trace back to Asia.
Head massages are rooted in ancient Asian medicine and can be traced back to countries like Japan, where it's believed that a healthy scalp affects one's overall well-being.
- In addition to promoting better scalp health and hair growth, head spa treatments claim to offer benefits like stress relief and improved sleep.
It's a five-step, personalized treatment.
The experience — regardless of the time length you choose — follows five main steps.
Analysis: The first step is a consultation where they'll use a scalp microscope to analyze the health of your hair and scalp to determine the treatment.
- Because I was exposed as the dry shampoo fiend that I am, we went for a detoxifying treatment.
Exfoliation: It's a two-step process that opens up the hair follicles using a heated mist.
Shampoo: Your therapist will deep cleanse your hair using a Shiatsu massage, which translates to "finger pressure" in Japanese.
Condition: Then, they'll apply a deep conditioning mask paired with the heated mist.
Rinse and tone: At the end of the treatment, you'll rinse everything out under a waterfall attached to the shampoo bowl.
- This is followed by a toner — different from hair dye toner — a water-like liquid that drips over your head, providing anti-aging benefits for your scalp and hair.
The treatment is offered in three durations.
You can choose from a 30-minute, 60-minute or 90-minute head spa experience — all come with the aforementioned steps.
- 60 minutes: An express version with a shorter consultation and 45 minutes in the head spa ($200).
- 90 minutes: 20 minutes of consultation and 70 minutes in the head spa ($250).
- 120 minutes: 20 minutes of consultation, 100 minutes in the head spa, plus an organic mini facial ($300).
- There's also a doubles room for two guests, and the spa offers other services like hair loss treatments, facials and sugaring.
You'll (maybe, likely, hopefully) fall asleep.
According to my WHOOP band, I snuck in 50 minutes of zzz's during my two-hour appointment. And even if you don't drift off in the chair, you may sleep better that night.
"In Japan, the number one reason that people go to a head spa is no longer for healthy hair growth. It's actually so that they can get a better night's sleep," says Kecia Purser, owner of The Head Spa Sanctuary.
You can opt to leave with hair that looks like you've just stepped out of the salon.
Each service concludes with a towel dry, but you can add a blow dry for $50 (think classic 90s blowout), a blow dry and silk press for $75, or a blow dry and curls for $75.
Zoom out: Some other local salons offering head spa treatments include The Sage HeadSpa in SouthPark, The Lace Lab in Matthews, Spa Bliss of Charlotte on E. Morehead Street and Passion Hair Co., in University City.
What beauty or wellness trend in Charlotte are you excited to try or have recently enjoyed? Let me know at [email protected].