Skincare for the scalp: The Japanese Head Spa Ritual at Bannatyne Health Club & Spa, Fairfield

Bannatyne is traditionally associated with fitness and leisure experiences, but their all-singing, all-dancing location in Hitchin opens up new opportunities for those who want to experience all of that alongside exploring a wider world of holistic wellbeing without breaking the bank.

As well as an expansive gym, spin studio, and aerobics studio there's a subterranean thermal space with a spa pool, a 16-metre swimming pool, a sauna, a steam room, and a convivial spa cafe with a wide range of choices, including an all-day breakfast menu. Meanwhile, under vaulted ceilings, the hub of the spa takes full advantage of the opportunities that tech has to offer to enhance the wellness experience, with two Hydro massage beds. They are a wonderful example of how you can expand your spa experience with an additional treatment element for minimal extra cost. It's complete with LED mood lighting that supports skin health and ambience.

Bannatyne Health Club & Spa, Fairfield is also unique in offering Japanese head spa treatments, with a therapy room entirely dedicated to this treatment. We were invited to experience this innovative ritual firsthand to see if it truly lives up to its viral reputation.

A cherry blossom-inspired oasis

The purpose-created treatment room has been carefully designed to align with the treatment, styled with a cherry blossom feature wall, William Morris-style wallpaper, and subtle nods to the Japanese heritage of the therapy.

Having only introduced the treatment this year, Fairfield is ahead of the curve. The Japanese head spa has become a social media sensation on TikTok, which has sparked high demand in a low availability world. Its main presence in the market is typically in salons, so adding the wider spa environment sets it apart.

As well as the cherry blossom aesthetics, the spa has recently partnered with the Japanese Head Spa Co. to use products designed specifically for this ritual, featuring cherry blossom scented formulas designed to condition, balance, and treat the scalp rather than just the hair itself.

Skincare for the scalp

Before the water started flowing, we went through a thorough consultation - as you might expect. While some practitioners use digital scalp scanners to diagnose buildup, Bannatyne’s approach marries scalp care with holistic relaxation, using the skills of the therapist and a consultative approach.

Much like a facial, the treatment is entirely tailored to your individual needs. Our therapist asked about our current hair routine and hair type, and she noted that if guests have particularly high sensitivity, therapists can adapt their pressure, adjust the water temperature, or scale back the heat of the steam component of the treatment.

Who is the Japanese Head Spa good for?

The short answer is that everyone will love the treatment - it’s like having your hair washed at the hair dressers but better - we often underestimate the benefits of a head massage for relaxation. That said, it is highly recommended for anyone who uses a lot of hair products, which might build up over time.

A word of caution, however - due to laying completely flat throughout the treatment, it is not recommended during pregnancy. It’s also not suitable for anyone with open wounds, or skin infections in the area. For anyone with serious illnesses like cancer, it’s recommended that you speak to the spa before visiting so it can be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

The treatment experience

The ritual began with a thorough double shampoo to lift away dirt, oil, and environmental buildup, followed by a stimulating scalp scrub and a rich conditioner brushed through the hair during a light steam. There’s also the option for a longer treatment, which includes a specialised steam hood that lowers over the head.

The steam gently opens the hair follicles, allowing the conditioning products to penetrate much deeper while adding to the relaxation effect. While the steam worked its magic, the therapist performs a hand and arm massage as well. At this point, the room was filled with the scent of cherry blossom, which enhances the therapeutic impact.

Throughout the experience, a cooling jade mask is placed over the eyes (guests booking Spabreaks.com packages get a heated eye mask), and the therapist uses different tools to comb through my hair and massage the scalp. There is a lovely, intuitive playfulness to this portion of the treatment, giving the therapist the scope to use their skills to target specific pressure points.

Treatment aftercare

At the end of the treatment the hair is incredibly silky and there’s a deep sense of rest. Hair is wrapped up so you can head back out and enjoy the rest of the spa space at your leisure, or head to the cafe and get something to eat and drink.

While you can book this at any point during a spa day, it’s recommended that you schedule the treatment towards the end of your visit so you can leave the products on to absorb for as long as possible rather than washing them off in the pool.

Post-treatment, the advice is similar to other therapies:

• Take it easy for the rest of the day.
• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and direct sunbathing.
• Blow-dry the hair gently but avoid washing it again for a while.

We also added 15 minutes on the hydro massage beds for good measure, which was the perfect way to end the day.

It is easy to see why this treatment has become so popular, and Bannatyne Health Club & Spa, Fairfield is an excellent location to have it because you can combine the experience with the wider wellbeing opportunities.