Hair is everything. So you should try this unique treatment …
The idea of a head spa is unusual and intriguing. Sayaka O’Connor, owner of Haku salons in Ranelagh and Blackrock, tells me that in Japan, it’s as common as going for a manicure or blowdry. I love the results of a great blowdry, but don’t always enjoy the process – not all salon hairwashes are equal, and when you have fine hair, this becomes a big deal. Hair expert Trudy Hayes says you should treat your hair like it’s silk – and definitely not yanked around, especially when it’s wet.
Haku opened in Blackrock earlier this year, specialising in Head Spa treatments. Scalps continue to be a big focus when it comes to haircare, and no wonder. Once you start thinking of it as skin, an extension of the skin on your face, of course you’re going to take care of it. Think of all those harsh hairbrushes, intensely chemical products and very hot styling tools – imagine using them on your face.
The Head Spa treatments at Haku start with a detailed scalp analysis (and all, apart from the mini option, also include a soothing foot bath). This is not just a quick glance – a dedicated camera tool is used so that you can see every pore on your head on an iPad in 3D, which is quite horrible and weirdly compelling. Then Japanese products are chosen to suit your scalp and any issues you have, selected from Japanese brands including Shu Uemura. I remember Shu so well – their cleansing oils for the face were early cult products – but it’s hard to come by now, so it’s useful to know it’s here at Haku. They also have Comfort Zone, a beautiful Italian haircare line, in the shop and online, plus J- and K-Beauty stars.
The scalp holds a lot of tension, so it can be bliss having a proper scalp massage. Therapist Chihiro was gentle but firm, and incredibly charming. It’s an incredibly comfortable process, too, as you’re on a specialist reclining head spa bed brought in from Japan – these are exclusive in Ireland to Haku. After the best hairwash you’ve ever had, detoxifying and clarifying the scalp, there’s a “rain massage”, the Yume waterfall head bath, where warm water pours continually over your head. As blissful as it sounds. Everything is gentle and not rushed.
Your scalp and hair will feel incredibly clean afterwards, and a simple blowdry is included, though you can also add on a mini facial or shoulder massage; the basic mini head spa (40 minutes) is €79; €149 for 65 minutes. Considering what you pay for a blowdry now in some places, this feels like a good investment in your hair and scalp health. The person before me was there to address psoriasis on her scalp, and the team can address various issues, from dandruff to dry or inflamed scalps. It’s an excellent option for men to try, too.
And the results? My hair has honestly never felt so clean, without feeling at all stripped or stressed. It’s an extremely relaxing ritual, one that you want to take time over, and finish with a green tea. It’s also refreshing to try something properly different, a treatment that is simple and non-gimmicky but makes absolute sense: a properly cleansed and unclogged scalp is conducive to future hair growth as well as health and strength. I’ll definitely go back.
Other hair services are offered at Haku too, from colour and cuts to Japanese straight perms, as well as facials (from €119) to body treatments. The Ranelagh clinic, open since 2022, offers more extensive and clinical beauty treatments, from Hydrofacials to Genosys microneedling. Haku Hair Salon & Head Spa, 21 Main Street, Blackrock, Co Dublin; 01 444 1471; www.haku.ie.
3 Scalp Care Stars We Rate
Voya
Beloved Irish brand Voya have just launched a new scalp serum called Resurge Hair & Scalp Elixir, a blend of organic argan, apricot, safflower, almond and rosemary oils (to name a few) plus a zinc complex to support fuller hair and Fucus Serratus seaweed extract to hydrate the hair. It smells fantastically fresh and full of sea air. “Resurge represents a new era in organic scalp care,” says Kira Guckian Walton, co-founder of Voya. “By combining advanced actives with our natural, seaweed-based heritage and drawing on the restorative benefits of the Atlantic Ocean, we’ve created a solution that addresses the root causes of hair concerns, starting at the scalp.” You can use it every day on a clean scalp. €37. @voyabeauty
Cascata Hair
Emma King at Cascata takes scalp health seriously, and offers a scalp health check and other tools to help you get to the bottom of any hair or scalp issues. “Healthy hair isn’t about doing more,” says Emma. “It’s about doing what’s right for your scalp and staying consistent.” Her Detox + Restore Scalp Shampoo (€50) is refreshingly exfoliating for the scalp – you can feel the eucalyptus and leaves hair soft and more shiny. “When your scalp is balanced, you’ll notice the difference immediately, hair stays fresher for longer, feels healthier and is easier to manage,” says King. Her Scalp Studio is in Beaumont, Dublin 9. @cascata_hair_
Hydrascalp Treatment
The people behind the Hydrafacial have now launched a HydraScalp treatment, designed to “purify, nourish and boost” the scalp, using a three-step process, and with a take-home peptide spray. Their clinical studies show improved hair fullness and natural hair growth after three treatments and consistent use of the spray. The treatments are expensive, from €275 for one session, partial scalp; €375 for full scalp. Cheaper than a flight to Turkey, though … Available at various salons including Essentials Beauty on Baggot Street Upper, Dublin 4. @hydrafacial
