Ask The Expert: Can a scalp facial keep your hair young and healthy?

Hair spas (or head spas) have been all the rage lately, with IG-friendly cascading waterfalls and ASMR-style experiences making them look like the ultimate relaxation treat. While we love a good hair spa, they may not be the right solution for specific scalp concerns.

In Singapore’s hot and humid climate, scalp issues often need to be treated for what they really are: skin issues. According to Dr. Angeline Yong, a dermatologist and hair restoration surgeon who sub-specialises in hair and scalp disorders, many patients could benefit from a more holistic approach that combines different scalp health treatments to restore the scalp’s sebum-hydration balance and improve the scalp microbiome — both of which play an important clinical role in managing various scalp conditions.

Her solution? A scalp facial — essentially a treatment modelled after the principles of a clinical facial. This includes cleansing, exfoliation, targeted active ingredients and supportive therapies, but for your scalp instead of your face. “The term helps people understand that the scalp also benefits from structured care, layered sequential steps and the use of specific ingredients tailored to its condition,” says Dr. Yong.

Common scalp issues that Singaporeans face

Says Dr. Yong, “I have noticed over the years that there is a consistent pattern among my patients: many were deeply invested in facial treatments, yet their scalp concerns - shedding, thinning, sensitivity, dandruff, inflammation - were sometimes left unaddressed and ignored till more severe, or only managed sub-optimally without strong scientific foundations or even the right diagnosis.”

For this reason, Dr. Yong set up SSKINS, a medical spa that could offer diagnostics, evidence-based technologies and targeted actives to restore the scalp’s ecosystem, strengthen the follicles and improve long-term hair density. “I wanted to treat scalp health with the same medical rigour as clinical skin care,” she explains.

At SSKINS, hair treatments are medical and diagnostic-led, starting with scalp analysis and followed by a treatment using medical-grade products. For Dr. Yong, it was important that her spa foray offer treatments that really delivered results instead of pure relaxation. “In Singapore’s humid climate, the scalp can easily become congested, inflamed, or imbalanced, contributing to poor scalp health and premature hair loss. At the same time, the rise of at-home styling, chemical services, and long-wear products means the scalp is now under greater stress than ever before. Patients were coming in with concerns that couldn’t be solved by a typical ‘head spa’ or a relaxing wash-and-massage.”

What does a scalp facial do?

In a scalp facial, every step is designed to support the scalp’s underlying biology. Dr. Angeline Yong says a key component is gentle keratolytic cleansing, which helps remove accumulated dead skin cells, excess sebum and product build-up. “This is particularly beneficial for individuals with congestion, dandruff or oil imbalance,” explains Dr. Yong. “It also allows subsequent active ingredients to work more effectively.”

This can involve technologies such as oxygen scaling, jet peels or deep cleansing with Aquapeel, which may incorporate solutions like AHAs or BHAs depending on the scalp type, concern and severity.

Dr. Yong also highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy scalp barrier and microbiome, much like the skin barrier on the face. In a scalp facial, this is supported through hydrating products, calming ingredients and medical-grade technologies such as scalp electroporation, plasma technology and ultrasound penetration. Together, these help reduce sensitivity and inflammation — common triggers for flaking, discomfort and reactive scalps.

Why a scalp facial can be more beneficial than a head spa

Despite the focus on medical-grade treatments and results, Dr. Yong says it’s still important to incorporate holistic elements into the treatment. Scalp Bojin therefore plays quite a big part in their treatment as it helps to improve microcirculation, relieve tension and improve lymphatic flow. “Better circulation creates a more favourable environment around the follicles, which is especially beneficial for individuals experiencing early thinning, tightness or reduced scalp mobility,” says Dr. Yong. Additional elements that might be added to the treatment include LED therapy, oxygen infusion or even a low-level laser that helps calm redness and stimulates stronger, thicker hair growth.

She adds that head spas have many benefits – relaxation being the main one – but may not be suitable for people who have underlying scalp conditions or suffer from conditions like eczema or seborrheic dermatitis. Overly vigorous scrubbing or massage that can aggravate inflammation or sensitivity can also adversely affect your scalp or scalp treatments. 

In the same way, Dr. Yong hopes customers keep in mind that scalp facials are not a replacement for medical assistance. “While it supports scalp health, it is not designed to treat medical hair loss conditions or replace medical evaluation,” she says. “There are certain signs that suggest it’s time to seek a doctor’s assessment instead of relying solely on scalp treatments.” With that in mind, she hopes clients who undergo scalp facials will leave with a better understanding of their scalp condition and be able to use that information to ensure their long-term hair and scalp health.