Spa Treatments / Ayurveda Scalp Treatment / Joy of Spa

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The latest, though probably not the last, frontier in the quest for cosmetic perfection has extended beyond Botoxed foreheads to the scalp.

Today, the simple rules of shampooing regularly and not shedding dandruff onto one’s sweater is no longer sufficient in a world of routine “manscaping” body waxes and lunchtime Restalyne appointments.

Driving the trend is the growing obsession with head-to-toe luxury, experts say, combined with the beauty industry’s hunt for body areas that have so far not been seen to require greasing up, injecting or plucking – past examples including the neck, the back of the hand, and one that many women are still smarting from: the Brazilian wax.

This most recent fixation focuses on the root of the problem, so to speak: sebum and sweat. The average scalp houses 100,000 hair follicles and skin cells that constantly are shed and regenerate. The humble scalp is getting lots of attention from spas and beauty companies that adhere to the philosophy that it be treated just like the skin on one’s face, complete with a regimen of exfoliating, cleansing (just don’t call it shampooing), toning and moisturizing.

Last month SenSpa, a wellness center and day spa in the Presidio, began offering a scalp treatment called the Ayurvedic Bliss Ritual, a combination of massage and aromatherapy with warmed essential oils and herbs poured onto the head and worked into the forehead and scalp. It’s designed to stimulate blood flow to the brain and promote mental clarity and shiny hair.

In fact, a search for “scalp treatments” on a popular listings Web site lists more than 55 spas that offer similar services in San Francisco alone.

Earlier this year, Elevation salon in the Financial District became one of just 20 salons in California to offer hair “ceremonies,” a selection of treatments for the scalp and hair created by the cosmetics company Shu Uemura. All of the treatments feature products from the line’s new Art of Hair collection, with exotic ingredients such as camellia oil, deep-sea water and white tea extract.

Salon co-owner Joseph Roland describes the 15-, 25- and 50-minute ceremonies as “multi-sensorial luxury experiences” that incorporate shiatsu-inspired massage techniques to balance, relax and energize clients. The service costs between $50 and $150, and the shampoos and styling products cost $30 to $60 each.

“Some have always said that the best part of a haircut is the scalp massage,” he said, “And this really takes that to the ultimate level.”

Another Japanese beauty company, DHC, which has its U.S. headquarters in San Francisco, introduced its olive-oil-based Head Oil scalp treatment in 2000 and sells about 4,000 bottles nationwide each year.

There’s also Bain de Terre’s Sugar & Fig Scalp Massage Scrub.  Carita’s Nutri-Repairing Radiance Shampoo. Formulated to rinse away buildup caused by hard-water residue; and Aveda’s Scalp Remedy Dandruff Solution, which has salicylic acid to tone the scalp in addition to other conditioning ingredients.

While it may alarm some to realize that we have neglected our scalps, it may also be comforting to learn that there is a new way to pamper oneself and – at best – achieve new clarity of mind that might help prevent us from falling victim to the next beauty trend.

With this Holiday Season isn’t it time you share the Joy of the Spa!

Spa Treatments / Ayurveda Scalp Treatment / Joy of Spa

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