Japanese-style head spas gain popularity in US
The Story
Head spas offering scalp and face massages are growing in popularity across the United States, with hundreds of locations now open, especially in California and New York. The practice originated in Japan, rooted in centuries-old methods, and modern versions began spreading in Japanese salons during the 1990s before reaching Asia and eventually the US.
Key Facts
- A typical head spa session lasts 60 or 90 minutes and includes scalp inspection, deep cleansing, exfoliation, steam, and extended head, face and neck massage.
- Many services also use essential oils, conditioning masks, and aromatherapy in a quiet setting with dimmed lights and soft music.
- At Nen Head Spa in San Francisco, head massages cost about $100 an hour, according to owner Peter Tham.
- At Sunday Headspa in San Francisco, sessions start at about $200 an hour, said coordinator Jolly Mac.
- Some head spas make health or medical claims about stress relief or treatment for scalp conditions, hair loss, or alopecia.
- Zakia Rahman, a dermatology professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, said people with hair loss or skin conditions should see a dermatologist and that head spas can be a complement to medical treatment.
Conflicting Reports
No conflicting reports identified in the source article.
Still Unclear
No open questions identified in the source article.
Misconceptions
The article notes that some head spas make health or medical claims and that experts caution seeing a dermatologist for medical issues rather than relying solely on head spa services.
Key Figures
- Karena Kong, frequent customer of Nen Head Spa
- Peter Tham, owner of Nen Head Spa
- Zakia Rahman, dermatology professor at Stanford University School of Medicine
- Jolly Mac, coordinator at Sunday Headspa
- Crystle Vitari, customer who first visited a head spa in South Korea
Sources: abcnews.com
