What dermatologists say about scalp health
Head and scalp conditions like dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema or contact dermatitis are fairly common, said Dr. Michele Farber, a Philadelphia-based dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group.
And while everyone experiences some normal hair shedding, “there should be no thinning, patchiness, or excessive shedding in a healthy scalp,” Farber said, which could indicate a hair loss condition.
“Keeping a clean scalp along with scalp massage may help promote circulation, which can support hair growth,” she said.
Head spas with knowledgeable specialists who can “accommodate certain needs such as dry or sensitive scalp while treating the hair gently should be generally safe,” Farber said.
However, people should be wary of locations that use too much force or don’t tailor their products to different scalp conditions, which can exacerbate rashes, itching or irritation and result in more issues, she said.
Seeking medical treatment for persistent problems like rashes, hair loss and pre-existing conditions is still recommended, Farber said, as they may need prescription medication to fully resolve, or they could be signs of an underlying disease or health issue.
That’s why treatments at the head spa aren’t meant to replace or supersede therapies recommended by board-certified dermatologists, Yoon said, but rather complement that care safely and effectively.
“I’m pretty honest with my clients. Nobody has said, ‘Sonia, I thought you would make me grow hair’ or ‘I thought you would get rid of my psoriasis,’ because I don’t set up my clients for that,” she said. “So, a combination of teaching them like, ‘You can still use the prescription shampoo, but this is what you also have to do’ helps my clients.”