Scalp Treatment

Hair grows out of skin, and scalps have the same range of problems skin does — dryness, flaking, oiliness, build-up from products, or general itchiness and sensitivity. A scalp treatment addresses the scalp itself rather than the hair.

Your stylist looks at your scalp condition, cleanses away build-up, applies a treatment suited to what they find, and massages it in. It's a genuinely relaxing appointment as well as a practical one.

• Assessment of your scalp condition
• Clarifying cleanse to remove product and oil build-up
• Targeted scalp treatment chosen for your concern
• Massage to work the treatment in
• Rinse, condition and finish
• Advice on scalp care at home

Allow about 45 minutes. Your stylist will look at your scalp and ask about how it behaves — whether it's itchy, flaky, oily or tight — then cleanse it thoroughly.

The treatment is applied directly to the scalp and massaged in, left to work, then rinsed. Your hair is conditioned and finished afterwards.

Anyone with an itchy, flaky, oily or product-congested scalp, or anyone who wears a lot of dry shampoo and styling product. If you have a diagnosed scalp condition or are concerned about hair loss, please see a doctor or dermatologist — this is a comfort and cleansing treatment, not a medical one.

Wash your scalp properly rather than just rinsing your hair — use your fingertips, not your nails, and make sure shampoo reaches the scalp itself. Rinse thoroughly, since residue causes much of the itchiness people blame on dryness.

A treatment every four to six weeks suits most scalps that need it.

• Come in without having applied dry shampoo that morning so your stylist can see your scalp
• Use fingertips rather than nails when washing — scratching makes irritation worse
• Rinse longer than you think you need to; residue is a common cause of flaking
• See a doctor if you have persistent flaking, sores or sudden hair loss