Is it worth it? This is what I learnt

Not too long ago, when I had too much time alone (yes it was during the last lockdown, remember them?), I got into a thought-sinkhole about the fact that your scalp is literally a part of your face. It was a welcomed change because these sinkholes normally revolve around things like trying to research exactly how planes stay in the air, or worrying about how dangerous escalators are, but a sinkhole it still was.

But the thing is, you probably don’t really think about your scalp, because it’s hidden by your hair, which we spend a lot of time and money looking after, when that’s actually just dead protein, and your scalp is the living breathing bit that we actually really neglect. Whoa– I told you it was a thought-sinkhole. After this, I really started to pay more attention to my scalp. While I loathe physical scalp scrubs because I haven’t found one that works for my coily hair texture yet, I started using exfoliating serums and doing a bit of pre-wash scalp oiling and, you know what, I noticed a big difference, not just with growth but the dryness I sometimes experienced lifted and the itchiness disappeared. So, my at-home scalp care was almost in line with the rest of my skincare but I wanted to see if I could take it up a notch, so I booked myself in for a scalp facial.

What is a scalp facial?

A scalp facial is exactly what you think it is. A treatment that has all the elements of a facial, but for your scalp. Each salon or clinic that offers them will have a slightly different approach, but for the most part, it’ll involve a consultation, cleanse, massage and treatment.

I headed to Philip Kingsley’s Clinic in Mayfair for mine, to experience their Hair Repair Spa Treatment. Going to Philip Kingsley for scalp care is like going to Italy for Pizza, they really put scalp care on the map before as many brands cared about it as they do now.

Why is a scalp facial recommended?

This treatment is beneficial to both the hair and scalp, and consists of a consultation and three treatment steps. “Philip Kingsley Hair Spa Treatments are ideal if you want to address a particular hair and scalp concern– as well as if you simply wish to give your hair (and yourself) some TLC,” says Anabel Kingsley, Brand President and Trichologist at Philip Kingsley. “The treatment will leave your hair intensively conditioned, lustrous and full of new-found body. It will also refresh and stimulate your scalp.”

Going into my appointment, my hair was a little dry (as I’d just had it lightened and been in the UK heatwave, hatless), as was my scalp thanks to a little dehydration. When I sat down my trichotherapist Sydney spoke to me about my haircare habits and how my scalp was feeling before we got into the treatment part. It needs to be said that the trichotherapists that do the spa treatments are trained in-house but they aren’t qualified trichologists. So, while they can help with most common scalp concerns such as dryness and oiliness if you have a more in-depth scalp condition like skin conditions on the scalp or are worried about hair loss, it’s best to book in with an actual trichologist (which the also clinic offers) as they will be able to professionally analyse your scalp and advise on long-term care.

Post-consultation, Sydney then applied the scalp mask and hair mask, talking me through the benefits of use, and showed me how to apply at-home. This was a lovely touch, as if you are going to maintain a healthy scalp, facials are great, but home care is what’s going to sustain it.

Philip Kingsley Flaky Itchy Scalp Mask 2 x 20mls

Now 20% Off

Credit: courtesy of brand

To amplify the effects of the masks, you’re then placed under a steamer for about 15 minutes. I’m always waxing lyrical about steaming but it’s genuinely one of the easiest and best ways you can enhance the effects for any hair or skin treatment. Steam helps skin (including your scalp) become more receptive to ingredients and it also lifts your hair cuticle so the nutrients of the mask penetrate further and lock moisture in to boot. Really guys we ought to be steaming all the damn time.

Keeks Reid

Then came time for the massage portion and heaven’s above, it was the best 5 minutes I’ve had in a while. Massage is amazing for directing blood-flow to the scalp which in turn encourages growth plus of course it helps to relieve tension so if you often wear styles that put a lot of pressure on your scalp like braids ponytails, it’s a welcome relief.

To finish your hair is washed and conditioned and then blow-dried to finish. Now, it’s key for me to note that the clinic offers only a stripped back blow-dry which they say is to show how to dry your hair with minimal damage. They literally don’t have straighteners on the premises. Sydney used the Dyson Supersonic with the Afro comb attachment as I requested it but ordinarily, they would just place Afro and curly hair clients under the stand dryer or use a diffuser to set your hair how it naturally is. It makes perfect sense as this is the gentlest way to style these hair types but it’s not the way I wear my hair and I did feel a little uncomfortable leaving with my hair dried but not styled. Luckily, I had a hair elastic to tie it back before I left. It was a reminder that this was a treatment clinic and not a hairdresser. I guess I wouldn’t leave a facial expecting them to redo my makeup the way I had it before so, when you apply the same logic to this, I totally get it.

Keeks Reid

After the scalp facial

In the weeks since my scalp facial I’ve scratched minimally and haven’t noticed any flakiness. And while I can’t see myself booking in more than a few times a year as my list of grooming expenditures seems to grow monthly, this is a treat I’ll be adding to the roster and as for my at-home care, my scalp has never been healthier.

Trichologist Anabel Kinglsey’s Tips For A Healthy Scalp

Try to shampoo frequently. A healthy scalp is vital to hair growth – and a healthy scalp is a clean scalp.
Hair health is closely linked to diet. Being non-essential tissue, your hair is the first part of you to suffer when your nutrition is lacking. Dust off your favourite recipe books, or turn to food blogs for healthy recipe inspiration so you can create nutritious, balanced meals at-home.
Incorrect detangling can cause a lot of breakage, which can lead to thinner mid-lengths and ends. Detangle starting at your ends and gradually and gently work your way up. Detangling from the top can worsen tangles and snap strands.
Exfoliate your scalp weekly to keep it supple and to gently remove dead skin cells and flakes. A flaky scalp is known to cause and/or worsen hair shedding in certain individuals, making this an important part of your hair-care routine.

Keeks Reid is the Acting Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. While she loves all things beauty, Keeks is a hair fanatic through and through. She started her career in beauty journalism in 2013 as editorial assistant at Blackhair and Hair magazines working her way to of Blackhair magazine at 23 years old. She spent much of her career working in trade hairdressing media at , and the British Hairdressing Awards. Which is why she is a regular contributor to Cosmo's franchise. Now, alongside her Cosmo work, she presents, creates content on social media and works with a range of beauty companies; from magazines and websites to beauty brands and salons.

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