You’ve seen them all over your feed - here’s what you need to know about head spas

A fresh cut or colour always feels good, but let’s be real: the moment many of us relish at the hair salon is the post-wash scalp massage. Oh, the luxury.

If you’ve ever considered slipping your hairdresser a little extra money at the basin to prolong the experience, allow us to introduce you to a beauty treatment that has your name written all over it.

Japanese-style head spas have been getting plenty of buzz in the past few years, propelled in no small way by social media – chances are you’ve seen videos on your feed of people lying at a basin as a fountain trickles water over their hair.

You likely have some questions, so we got answers from Nozomi Oshima, Founder of Tokyo Headspa – one of Australia’s first Japanese head spas – and dermatologist Dr Shreya Andric.

A long history

Head spas might be a new concept to many, but scalp care as a service in Japan goes back centuries. Oshima told nine.com.au hair washing and anma massage techniques developed alongside traditional Japanese medicine in the bathhouses of the Edo period (1603-1868).

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“Those practices evolved through the Meiji era under Western influence, and interest in holistic wellness, head spa included, resurged in the decades after World War Two,” she said.

“Japan’s bathing tradition of onsen and sento means washing has never been purely functional. A ‘hair wash’ has always carried an element of care for the scalp itself, which is why head spa touches have quietly existed inside ordinary Japanese hair salons for decades, alongside dedicated studios on nearly every corner.”

Now, Australia is catching on. There’s been an emergence of dedicated Japanese head spa providers, while spa retreats and wellness centres are adding these treatments to their lineup.

Your scalp in the spotlight

In the world of personal care, Dr Andric says the scalp tends to be overlooked.

“We spend so much time looking after the skin on our face, but often ignore the skin underneath our hair until something goes wrong ... it needs to be healthy to function well,” she told nine.com.au.

“It’s rich in oil glands and hair follicles, so it’s prone to issues like dandruff, excess oil, dryness and inflammation. A healthy scalp provides the best environment for healthy hair growth.”

During a Japanese head spa, the scalp gets its moment at the centre of attention.

“The starting point is that the scalp is skin – around two-thirds of the skin surface above your face – and we treat it the way a facialist treats the face: Exfoliate, rebalance, hydrate, depending on what it needs,” Oshima says.

She adds efficiency also sets the treatment apart, with clients reporting it “switches them out of ‘thinking mode’ faster” than others.

“The scalp is dense with nerve endings, so massage there lowers cortisol, heart rate and blood pressure through the same pathways as a full-body massage, but in a much shorter session,” Oshima says.

What you can expect

While each provider might offer a different combination of treatment elements, a head spa generally involves scalp cleansing, a head bath and massage.

At Tokyo Headspa, which is based in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, Oshima says each treatment begins with what your scalp needs, whether it’s dry and flaky or oily and congested.

“From there it’s a combination of gentle exfoliation, steam to support the scalp barrier and thorough cleansing,” she says.

“We use a Japanese scalp mist machine vibrating 1.6 million times per second to cleanse the pores and care for the cuticle, and a Japanese head bath where the back of the head rests in warm water while water flows gently over the forehead.”

However, she says hand technique is at the core of the experience, via head, neck and shoulder massage: “A technician’s hands are still the best tool we have.”

While the water fountain tends to feature prominently in online posts about head spas – often a halo-shaped design lined with water jets – Oshima says it has more significance than just aesthetics.

“The fountain looks beautiful on social media, but the results come from washing and massage technique. The equipment was never really the point,” she said.

“The flowing water over the forehead creates the sensation of floating in a warm bath. It’s deeply calming and connects directly to Japan’s bathing culture.

“Just as importantly, an authentic head spa uses fresh, running water, never recycled – a real hygiene distinction now that many venues use portable beds without plumbing.”

The aim and benefits

Oshima says the immediate aim of a head spa is “a properly clean, calm scalp and hair with visible bounce and shine,” as build-up and dead skin are “genuinely cleared rather than rinsed over.”

Long term, it’s thinking about scalp care as “tending soil to grow a healthy plant”.

“Massage stimulates circulation, which carries the oxygen and nutrients the scalp needs,” she says, adding that clients “regularly report better sleep that night and easing of tension headaches”.

“The honest caveat we always give: scalp health is cumulative, like skincare or fitness. Real change in hair condition shows over months of consistent care, not one visit.”

Dr Andric echoes that a head spa can leave the scalp feeling cleaner, and remove oil and product build-up, “which often makes hair look shinier and feel healthier.”

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“What it won’t do is regrow hair,” she adds. “There’s no strong evidence that these treatments alone stimulate meaningful hair growth. If someone has true hair loss, they need evidence-based medical treatment.”

If you’re now pondering what you can do at home to care for your scalp, Dr Andric suggests washing it as often as it needs.

“Just as you should be double cleansing your face at the end of the night, I always recommend doing a double shampoo whenever you wash your hair,” she says.

“Don’t ignore dandruff or persistent itching, avoid product build-up, and protect your scalp from the sun. If you’re noticing excessive hair shedding or ongoing scalp problems, see a dermatologist early.”