Japanese head spas are going viral on TikTok, promising the ultimate relaxing experience. I visited The Head Spa in Manchester to try one of these trending treatments for myself…
I’ve tried plenty of spa treatments over the years – some incredible, some unremarkable – but rarely has one made me desperate to try it quite as much as the videos of ‘head spas’ that have been filling my social media feeds this year.
Reportedly originating from Japan or Korea, this relaxing treatment involves similar steps that you would typically expect to receive during a full body massage or facial, but focusing just on your head, hair, and neck and shoulders. This could include masks, steam and scalp massages, plus perhaps the most TikTok-famous part: a halo of waterfall-like jets of water that slowly moves back and forth over your head. The benefits include deeply cleansing the hair and scalp, plus delivering an incredibly relaxing treatment.
Keen to try one of these trending treatments myself, I headed to recently-opened The Head Spa in Manchester…
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Founded by hair stylist Molly Mcilhatton, who formerly worked at Manchester’s Trevor Sorbie salon, The Head Spa feels luxurious and calming as soon as you walk though the door, like a really exclusive spa, with dim lights, aesthetic decor and relaxing music. As I sipped on a welcome drink of fizzy iced tea, my bespoke treatment began with a scalp analysis using a special camera to determine which products would be used; as my scalp is a little dry and easily irritated, Molly used products specifically designed to soothe and calm from an organic haircare brand called Oway.
I then tucked myself up into the warm and snuggly treatment bed, which allows for your hair to hang off the end and into a little sink, where your therapist sits; I could already feel tension beginning to drift away.
I wasn’t told what to expect during my treatment and there wasn’t any talking during it, to really enhance the relaxation, but I quizzed Molly afterwards about exactly what it had involved. It begun with a light pressure shoulder, neck and scalp massage, followed by a scalp oil applying to my roots. My hair was then given a double ‘hair bath’ with an exfoliating peel made with herbs and clay, in which my lengths were gently massaged – instead of your typical vigorous scrub with shampoo, which can cause breakage.
Next a hair mask was applied, along with steam (similar to a facial) to help the product to penetrate deeper, which was left on for a few minutes; I’m fairly sure I’d completely drifted off by this point. This was then rinsed off with the most TikTok-famous part of the treatment: the curved halo bar featuring jets of water, which slowly moved back and forth over my head. This felt incredible, like lots of people gently running their fingers through my hair at the same time.
The treatment finishes with a blow dry, and lasts two hours in total. As all the therapists here at The Head Spa are trained hairdressers, you can also have your hair cut at this point too.
Afterwards, my hair and scalp was left feeling the cleanest, softest and healthiest it had in ages, and stayed feeling clean for days (usually I have to wash my hair every other day). More impressively, though, was just how incredibly relaxing this treatment was – far more so than a regular body massage. The combination of the zen-like space, the professional touch and the attention to detail made this honestly one of the best spa treatments I’ve ever had.
The 120-minute Euphoria treatment at The Head Spa Manchester costs £150, which, considering you’d easily pay that for a 60-minute body massage at a hotel spa, I think is really worth the money. I’ll definitely be booking back in again as a treat.
How to recreate a head spa at home
While having a luxury head spa bed, halo jets and a professional hair expert in your home is out of reach for most of us, there are a few products that can help to elevate your hair wash…
Scalp oil
Mielle Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Oil, currently £8.99 from Amazon (was £11.25)
Using rosemary oil on the hair and scalp is another TikTok trend, said to help to boost hair growth, and this is a popular buy on Amazon, with shoppers saying “it really works” and “a little goes a long way”. Apply it to the scalp either before bed or a hour or so before getting in the shower, then rinse and wash as normal.
Scalp brush
Coco & Eve Shampoo Brush, currently £8 from Sephora (was £9)
While nothing can replicate the soothing sensation of the halo water streams and an expert scalp massage by a skilled therapist, using a spiky silicone brush such as this one is a great way to gently stimulate your scalp when you wash your hair, boosting circulation without tangling up the hair.
Hair mask
Kérastase Chroma Absolu Masque Chroma Filler, currently £42.30 from LookFantastic (was £47)
What hair mask you use will really depend on your hair and scalp types, so it’s worth looking around for the best one for you. Kérastase has lots of to choose from, but following the advice of my colourist I’ll be trying this one as it’s specially designed for coloured hair, and hydrating without being too heavy.
