Dull, dry, frizzy – these tresses can be a pain to manage at times. Gone are the days when just shampooing and oiling your hair was enough. Our hair calls for some attention now! We chatted with Shailaja Rao, co-owner of Aaina Salon at the Naval Station Colaba to solve a few of our queries related to traditional head massages and the new hair spa therapies. Here’s an excerpt from it.

Oil massage or hair spa, what is more beneficial?

Both aim at making the hair stronger, longer and reduce hair fall. However, the approach is different. Oil massages every week and hair spas once a fortnight or month depending on the hair damage is what we suggest. The good thing about oil massages is that it can be done in the comfort of home, an hour before you take a shower too. However, it is best to leave the oil overnight. Hair spa is more intensive and nourishes the hair more deeply.

Should people with healthy hair opt for a hair spa treatment?


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With the considerable change in climate, lifestyle, eating habits and pollution to top it all, your hair needs a little more than the regular oiling. Like our skin and body, hair needs to be pampered too. Perfect looking hair requires maintenance and hence a hair treatment is suggested at least once a month for everyone.

At what age can one get a hair spa treatment?

Hair issues begin during puberty because of hormonal changes. That is when you start experiencing dandruff, hair fall and other issues. Hence, anyone above the ages of 14 can get a hair spa done. In fact the earlier you begin the lesser work your hair will need.

What are the added benefits of a hair spa?

A hair spa regimen includes head or scalp massage, steaming, washing, application of hair mask and then shampooing and conditioning. It’s like your hair is reborn. You can feel the difference right after the first sitting.

Essential oils like tea tree oil, jojoba are added to the base oil. There is a different oil for each type of hair. For e.g. tea tree oil helps reduce dandruff, while castor oil is best for thin hair as it helps add volume. After a generous application of oils and a distressing scalp massage, you move to steaming the hair.

Steaming helps the hair regain its lost moisture – perfect for managing dull and frizzy hair. Steaming is followed by a wash with a mild shampoo and conditioner for proper cleansing and conditioning of the hair.

The hair masks used are also targeted towards specific hair issues. There are masks for damaged hair, scanty hair, dull and dry hair, oily to normal and dry to normal hair, masks for treating itchy scalp and dandruff and many more. There are special masks for rebonded hair and colored hair too. Also depending on the intensity of damage, hair therapies are repeated fortnightly or even once a week at times.

Who should not get a hair spa done?

Everyone needs a hair spa therapy. Even if your hair is perfectly tamed, you need to maintain its health. Hence, a hair spa is a must. Hair oil must be applied once a week and can be done at home too. But for a hair spa therapy, it is best to visit a salon and a good one at that because you do not want spurious products causing further damage to your hair.

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