My Korean Headspa Experience Made Me Rethink My Hair-Care Routine
After experiencing hair loss, I dedicated myself to stimulating regrowth, adopting a strict hair-care routine including regular trims, bond repair treatments, heat protectant, and supplements. During a recent trip to Seoul, I visited Christian unv Headspa, a traditional Korean headspa popular with celebrities like Zendaya and Ashley Graham, anticipating a relaxing scalp massage.
Discovering the Importance of Scalp Health
However, the experience led me to reevaluate my existing hair-care regimen. I learned that focusing solely on hair length and moisture while neglecting scalp care can be detrimental to long-term hair health. The technician began with a scalp analysis using microscopic images, revealing that my follicles were active but could benefit from addressing dryness, flaking, and buildup.
Christina Kim, founder of Dupï Studios and Dupï, explains that this is a common issue, often stemming from dehydrated and congested scalps caused by improper product layering, barrier disruption, or over-cleansing. This creates a cycle where dead skin and oil become ‘stuck,’ hindering hydration and compromising the scalp’s barrier.
Korean Scalp Treatments: Balancing and Hydrating
My treatment, like many Korean scalp treatments, focused on restoring balance and hydration. Jay Small, trichologist and co-founder of Arey, emphasizes the importance of a balanced microbiome to prevent bacteria, inflammation, and biofilm accumulation. A congested or inflamed scalp can create a barrier that limits the absorption of active ingredients.
The Treatment and its Benefits
The 90-minute treatment involved gentle cleansing, steaming, rinsing, exfoliating, serum application, and massaging. Afterwards, my scalp felt visibly cleaner, lighter, more nourished, and deeply moisturized. Scalp treatments are.
Vogue’s Favorite Korean Hair and Scalp Products
- The Scaling Shampoo: Base-K The Rice Powder Detox, $48
- The Purifying Tonic: Aromatica Tea Tree Purifying Tonic, $17
- The Thickening Serum: Sungboon Editor Deep Collagen Retinol Scalp Serum, $19
- The Finishing Serum: Mise En Scene Perfect Serum, $18
- The Hair Essence: Camellia Silk Hair Oil Essence, $24