What is a head spa? A head spa is a scalp-focused treatment, made popular by Japanese salons, that combines a deep scalp cleanse, steam, a long scalp massage and conditioning. A session usually lasts 45 to 90 minutes. It feels amazing and leaves the scalp clean and calm. You can recreate most of it at home in about 20 minutes with a brush, your fingertips and a few products.
What happens during a head spa?
- Scalp check: many salons look at your scalp under a small camera.
- Pre-cleanse: an oil or exfoliating treatment loosens buildup.
- Deep cleanse: a thorough double shampoo, often with a water-jet rinse.
- Massage: 10 to 20 minutes of scalp, neck and shoulder massage.
- Steam and mask: a hair or scalp mask under warm steam.
- Finish: a scalp tonic or mist and a blow-dry.
Want to try one? Find a head spa near you in our city guides.
Is a head spa good for hair growth?
Here's the honest answer: a head spa is mainly about scalp health and relaxation. There is a little evidence for massage itself. In a small 2016 study, 9 men who had a 4-minute scalp massage every day for 24 weeks had thicker hairs at the end. That's a tiny study, so treat it as promising, not proven.
What we do know is that a clean, calm, hydrated scalp is the best environment for healthy hair, and that regular massage feels great and may help you relax.
How do you do a head spa at home?
Set aside 20 minutes, once a week.
- Brush (2 minutes). Brush dry hair from the ends up with a wide-tooth comb or soft brush to remove tangles.
- Pre-cleanse (5 minutes). Massage a few drops of a light oil, such as jojoba, into your scalp. Skip this step if your scalp is very oily.
- Double cleanse (5 minutes). Shampoo twice with lukewarm water. The first wash lifts oil; the second cleans the scalp. Use your fingertips, never your nails.
- Massage (5 minutes). Use the pads of your fingers to make small, firm circles from your hairline to the back of your neck. A silicone scalp massager works well in the shower.
- Condition. Apply conditioner or a mask to your lengths, not your roots. Wrap your hair in a warm towel for 5 minutes for a "steam" effect, then rinse.
- Finish with a scalp mist. Spray a leave-in scalp mist directly onto your scalp and massage it in.
What should you use for an at-home head spa?
- A wide-tooth comb or soft brush
- A light oil for the pre-cleanse
- A gentle shampoo and a conditioner or mask
- A silicone scalp massager (optional)
- A leave-in scalp mist, such as our GROW Nourishing Prebiotic Scalp Mist. It's fragrance-free, with a prebiotic kelp complex, aloe vera and rosemary and peppermint hydrosols, and it leaves the scalp feeling cool and comfortable with no residue.
Want to support your hair from the inside, too? Pair the mist with GROW Astaxanthin Hair Gummies in our GROW Inside & Out Bundle.
How often should you do a head spa?
Once a week at home is plenty for most people. A daily 4- to 5-minute scalp massage is a nice extra. If you have a scalp condition such as psoriasis or bad dandruff, see a dermatologist before you add exfoliating steps.
The bottom line
A head spa is self-care for your scalp. Book a salon session as a treat, and keep the benefits going at home with a weekly 20-minute ritual: brush, cleanse, massage, condition and mist. Wondering whether your shedding is normal? Read hair shedding vs hair loss.
Medically reviewed by Alex Pastorkovich, RN. *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. This article is for education and is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before starting any supplement.
