I have oily hair. I always have. After I wash and dry my hair, I have about 24 hours until the oil starts showing in my roots. I blame it on the Florida weather. Most people use dry shampoo to help combat this, but it’s only temporary. Personally, I prefer a few sprinkles of baby powder in between washes or a hat.
As local head spas started popping up on my feeds, I became intrigued to see if it could help me manage the oil on my scalp. Have you ever had your scalp analyzed? Me neither. Until I tried a head spa in Jacksonville Beach. While relaxation was initially a big draw (head massages are always my favorite part of body treatments), it turned out to be so much more than that. And the findings were both gross and interesting.
The experience starts like any other body treatment or massage does: You get comfy on the bed, lying on your back, and in this case, you rest your head on a little block in the sink. Then, a wand-like device is run through your hair and puts your scalp on display on a screen nearby. A few pictures later, and you are educated on what the camera saw. It’s the equivalent of putting your head under a microscope and getting super up close to see the pores and strands of hair. I had buildup and residue from leftover hair products. Because my hair gets super oily, I tend to use baby powder in between shampoos to help stretch it out a few days, and it was very obvious. So, the fact that this scalp treatment addressed the oil was a bonus!
Since everyone’s scalp needs are different, they are able to formulate a personalized scalp treatment to address dryness, flakiness, thinning hair, clogged pores, and more to help stimulate growth, balance scalp oil production, hydrate dry scalps, and soothe irritation. My treatment was as follows: exfoliation (like a facial for your scalp) for buildup, scalp defender to remove dead skin and leftover products, a massage to really get it on your scalp and get blood flowing (see the veins in the photos), detoxifying lotion sanitizer for all the open pores, a date and grape seed oil treatment, volumizing essential oils, and a scalp steam treatment. A neck and shoulder massage during the mask, and then a rinse, shampoo, and conditioner. Finally, a tea rinse balances the PH levels, and herbs are applied to address hydration (especially if it’s really humid out) or other issues. The last step is an energizing treatment lotion (like a toner for your scalp) that stays on but doesn’t weigh your hair down. Finally, another peek at your scalp to see the difference the treatment made. The photos don’t lie — the before and after are dramatic! The build-up is gone. My hair follicles are open. My veins are less prominent. My scalp looks bright white on the screen like it’s supposed to.
Recommended frequency is once a month or every other month unless you have more serious concerns like psoriasis, eczema, dandruff, or hair loss. At-home care also aids in the overall health of your scalp.
I have to say, I really loved the experience. It was extremely relaxing (I dozed off a few times), but I also left educated about scalp care and how it can help control the oil in my hair, which is a big concern of mine.
Head Spas In & Around Jacksonville
I visited Studio Sage Hair + Head Spa in Jacksonville Beach. The Express head spa treatment (45 minutes) is $95 and includes a detox shampoo, conditioning, and scalp massage. The Luxury head spa treatment (90 minutes) is $195 for a custom formulation (Refresh, Regenerate, Restore) based on your scalp analysis and is followed by a blowout. They use an organic line of products called Organethic Pure Care in case that’s important to you. Here are a few others that may be worth trying if you have similar concerns or want to try one out:
OMG Nails (Intracoastal West): Their newly added luxurious head spa features treatments starting at $65 with optional facial and extended massage add-ons.
The Sage Headspa (Tapestry Park): Japanese-inspired head spa services to relax, restore, and improve hair health.
Advanced Hair Care & Wellness Spa (Five Points): Elevate your hair game with the ultimate scalp detox.
Skin Spa (Jacksonville Beach): Scalp analysis and cleansing using advanced scalp care formulas and techniques.
Lux Japanese Head Spa (St. Augustine): Signature treatments to promote scalp health, relieve tension, and stimulate hair growth.
