Are you using a good shampoo but your hair still doesn't look the way you want it to? The Japanese start from a different idea: the way you wash your hair and take care of your scalp matters more than it seems for scalp health.
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It is clear that if we want the hair to look good, the health of the scalp is very important, and its hydration plays an essential role. “Scalp is to hair what soil is to flowers” explain, for “Vogue” Morgan Rabach, dermatologist and co-founder of LM Medical. “The healthier the scalp, the more likely the hair will be.”
Maria Roberts, hairstylist and founder of the Madart x Studio 25 salon, who spent time in Japan where she trained before opening her own salon and spa in Quijorna, Madrid. There he noted that hair washing is focused almost exclusively on scalp care. In many salons, two silicone massage brushes are used, one on each side of the head, for a massage designed to deeply cleanse the scalp and stimulate circulation.
“The most effective scalp massage starts at the back of the head and gradually goes up, focusing on the crown, where there are more nerve endings“, confesses Maria Roberts, “Vogue” writer. This technique stimulates hair growth, cleans it much more effectively and relaxes the scalp.
In Japan, using oils on the hair before washing is a common practice. They are applied directly to the scalp, with the aim of balancing it and keeping it clean for longer. In fact, oils are part of the hair care routine not only before washing, but also after, or even daily. Historically, this custom is not new: geishas used camellia oil to give shine to their hair while brushing.
When it comes to drying your hair, Maria Roberts insists on one simple thing: the hair must be dried gently, without friction, and always before brushing, otherwise the risk of breakage increases. In Japan, hairstylists try to minimize the use of blow dryers as much as possible, insisting on drying thoroughly with a towel first, she claims.
In both Japan and Korea, women frequently use absorbent microfiber towels or even soft cotton t-shirts to remove excess water and reduce frizz.
Less heat applied directly to the scalp and lengths helps protect hair and ends, and keeps hair looking smooth, say experts.
Beyond observations from salons and explanations from specialists, the same idea constantly comes up in discussions between consumers: how the scalp is treated seems to matter more than the products used.
What people are saying about scalp massage
On Reddit, /AsianBeauty in a debate on: “is there a right way to wash your hair or not”users frequently come to the same conclusion: it's not the shampoo that makes the difference, but the way the scalp is treated.
Several panelists note that, especially in Asian salons, hair washing is accompanied by massage. “In all the salons I've been to, especially Asian ones, the hair is washed by massaging the scalp with shampoo. I've heard that this is the best method, because it stimulates blood circulation and supports hair growth.” write a user.
Another explains why this approach is especially helpful for dry or frizzy hair: “I keep the shampoo as close to the scalp as possible and massage it in with the tips of my fingers, not my nails. The lengths don't need shampoo, other than what ends up on them when you rinse. Instead, the conditioner should not be applied to the scalp.”
Other users say that almost any hair type can benefit from this method. “The scalp produces its natural oils, it doesn't need conditioner. And the ends don't need shampoo. If you apply the product evenly, there's no need to scrub aggressively and you avoid unnecessary hair loss.” someone continued.
The discussion gains weight when professionals intervene. A hairstylist directly confirms the conclusions: “I'm a hairstylist and I stand by all of the above.”
“I use a silicone scalp brush when I wash my hair. It cleans the build-up better than my fingers and is much less likely to hurt the skin than my nails.” explains someone, who adds: “Massage and stimulating circulation help the scalp, but hair health is also influenced by diet, stress and genetics.”
“There is no one right method. It all depends on your hair and your lifestyle.” But almost everyone on the thread seems to agree on one thing: aggressive scalp scratching does more harm than good. “Scalp scratching mimics intense itching and can lead to hair loss,” warn a user.
In essence, hair washing is not a fight with the scalp, but a process of careful cleansing, through massage, dosage and patience.
The same principles also underlie a concept that has become increasingly visible in recent years: the Japanese head spa, an extension of the idea that scalp care begins with relaxation, massage and attention to detail, not quick promises.
How the Japanese “head spa” is perceived outside of commercials
Also from this concern for the health of the scalp was born the popularity of the Japanese head spa. Outside of advertisements and viral videos on the networks, the perception of this ritual is much more nuanced. Also on /Asian Beauty, where the experiences are told without marketing filters, the head spa appears more as a form of deep relaxation than as a guaranteed solution for hair regeneration.
One of the top reviews describes a head spa session in Osaka at a specialist salon: “I was taken to a dark, quiet room with individual pods, each with a large, comfortable, reclining chair. The therapist put a sleeping mask over my eyes and began massaging strategic points on my head, almost like acupuncture, but with fingers, not needles. I don't usually fall asleep during massages, but here I asleep without realizing it. It was as if I had been disarmed.”
The author points out that it's not about the hair washing itself, but the overall feeling of relaxation and attention paid to the scalp: “There's no washing or styling, you have to groom yourself afterwards, but that's what makes the experience therapeutic. I've been to head spas outside of Japan before, but nothing compares to the level of attention and technique.”
Other participants confirm the relaxation component, but are more reserved about the long-term benefits. “They're very relaxing. If your goal is to relax and have a clean scalp and soft hair, then it's worth it. But I didn't feel like there was any long-term payoff, other than feeling good.”
“I've tried head spas in Japan, USA and Thailand. The Japanese ones are gentle, but I found the Korean ones the most effective, which also include scalp analysis. There I felt that it's not just a massage, but also a real understanding of scalp problems.” someone else adds.
There are also critical voices, which temper the discourse. One user warns:
“All these things are based on the same principles. (…) The real benefit comes from stimulating circulation, which you can do at home with regular massage.”
Another comment goes further and clearly separates relaxation from efficiency:
“None of this helps if it's not done consistently. One session doesn't change anything.”
Overall, the Japanese head spa is perceived as a relaxing experience and gentle scalp care, valued for ritual and atmosphere, not as a guaranteed solution for hair regeneration. The real benefits seem to lie in massage, scalp care and consistency – not a single treatment or spectacular promises.
