A scalp and hair treatment that is said to have originated in Japan, head spas are a service that combines a scalp examination, thorough cleansing, massage, deep conditioning, and overall care of scalp and hair. The service is often enhanced with aromatherapy, and other spa-like touches.
At our MODERN SALON Boot Camp event last June in Dallas, Alyssa Salmon, owner of The Hairway to Heaven Salon in Long Island, NY, at a MYSALON Suite location, was one of our business panel speakers. When she described the success she had found in offering head spa services to her clientele, we wanted to know more.
Alyssa Salmon, owner of The Hairway to Heaven Salon in Long Island, NY
How to Make Headway with Head Spas
MODERN SALON: Why did you start offering head spa services?
ALYSSA SALMON: “Honestly, I first got started because I was seeing it all over TikTok, and a lot of my clients were asking me about it. I’m based on Long Island, close to NYC where a lot of head spa services are happening, and my clients were driving all the way into the city to get it done. So, I just felt like it was an opportunity waiting for me. For the past few years, everyone has been pushing for this healthier version of themselves, including their hair. Everyone is into cleaner beauty now, and I wanted to enhance my own services by making this available.”
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Featuring full recline into the shampoo bowl and silicone-infused headrest. To fully recline, simply tap down the foot pedal once. To sit your client back up, tap the other side. The faucet, soft spray hose, silicone-infused headrest, drain assembly with strainer, and UPC valve with built-in backflow preventer are all included with each unit.
MS: Did you open a separate suite to offer head spa services?
AS: “I currently have a separate suite space within MY SALON Suite, but eventually I would like to combine everything. We closed off the door and windows with curtains. The relaxing experience also comes with all the aromatherapy, as well as the heated blankets; it’s more of a spa than it is a salon. We even allow people to put themselves in a robe like you would for a facial. I feel like that’s why we kept it separate, just so we could give them a more intimate and immersive experience.”
MS: Can you take us through what a service involves?
AS: “We have a scope to look at your scalp to see if you’re having issues, and to give a general idea of what’s happening on your scalp. That way, I know what to use, and to avoid anything too abrasive even though the treatment is very gentle.
“After we assess the scalp, we go over what issues they’re having or determine if they’re just here for relaxation. If that’s the case, then it’s more of an intense, therapeutic scalp massage.
“If they’re having more issues with their scalp, we focus on recommending specific products to them. We exfoliate the scalp, and we have a machine that’s more of a mister than a steamer, and it penetrates the scalp a little bit better over time.
“I have returning clients with scalp issues who say, even after the first session, that their scalp stayed nice for a month, or their scalp finally feels like it’s breathing. That’s a result of opening their pores, stimulating blood flow, and putting better, healthier things back into the scalp.”
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MS: What kind of client is right for these services? What kind of benefits will they see?
AS: “Truthfully, any client can come for this. Some people just come for the relaxation aspect of it. Others come to target issues. I would say I do an equal number of men and women because men also tend to experience a lot of thinning.
“Most of the benefits that people see is rejuvenation in their scalp, and that’s the biggest thing. A lot of people want to see some results with hair growth, and some people come to me after experiencing hair loss from COVID, too. I always say to them that I can only do so much, and the efforts will be a mix of me and you, but if we’re able to stay consistent, that’s what’s going to help you. The clientele is a wide range of people, but most of the people I get typically have some sort of thinning, psoriasis, dandruff, buildup, something they’re embarrassed about.”
MS: What advice do you have for stylists who are thinking about offering head spa services?
AS: “I would say to go get good education on it, wherever you can find it. Hands-on is better. The best thing that my partner and I did was to do a bunch of free services to put our names out there, to give everybody a feel for it, and to make sure that we were providing the same service that we were selling. I wanted to make sure that I was stimulating the scalp correctly and that I could sell this aspect of, ‘Let’s get you on your hair growth recovery journey.’”
MS: Do you feel like offering heads spa services has been successful and attracted more business?
AS: “I think we’re still building, but I do think it’s been successful the more the word gets out about it. Some people are a little hesitant because it’s something that they’re not aware of. But it’s a service that I think will eventually be offered in most salons because it is super beneficial.
“Our clients come to us saying, ‘I have all these scalp issues, and my hair’s not growing.’ We don’t always have the answer for them right then and there, but we can help by recommending products and doing the service for them.
“I do think it’s more of an up-and-coming thing, and for us, it has been successful, but I would love to see the category continue growing.
MS: Final words?
AS: “I think the best advice is to be open and honest with people. Under-promise and overdeliver.”
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