How to Open a Viral Head Spa: My Journey & What You Need to Know!

Welcome to my guide on opening a head spa!

If you’ve ever considered adding scalp treatments to your business or starting a head spa from scratch, I’m here to share my experience—the good, the challenging, and everything in between!

How It All Started

I first opened my salon with the goal of providing a relaxing, cozy experience for hair services, but over time, I noticed something missing—clients were interested in better scalp health, and I noticed there wasn’t anything in my area for this type of service. That’s when I discovered the viral world of head spas! 

A head spa is more than just a fancy shampoo; it’s a deeply relaxing experience that improves scalp health, promotes hair growth, and helps clients feel their best! After researching and seeing the demand, I decided to pivot my business and incorporate a full head spa service into my salon.

Pivoting Your Business When Necessary

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned as a business owner is the importance of adapting. If something isn’t working or you see a new opportunity, don’t be afraid to shift gears. Adding a head spa to my salon wasn’t my original plan, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made!

If you’re in the beauty industry (or any business), always be open to new possibilities. Trends change, and what worked a few years ago might not work today. The key is to stay ahead of the curve and be willing to invest in yourself.

Investing in Yourself & Your Business

Before opening my head spa, I spent time and money learning everything I could—taking classes, researching techniques, and testing products. If you’re considering starting your own head spa, I highly recommend investing in education first. Whether it’s online courses, hands-on workshops, or mentorship, the knowledge you gain will help you grow faster.

Starting Small & Avoiding Overspending

When I first started, I didn’t go all-in with a massive investment. Instead, I focused on the essentials and built from there. It’s easy to get caught up in wanting the most high-end equipment and luxurious setup, but in reality, you don’t need everything at once. In the words of Drake: “Started from the bottom, now we here!”

My Initial Investment & What I Bought to Start

I had some financial help when launching my head spa, which made things a bit easier. But even with that, I was mindful of where I spent my money. Here’s what I prioritized in the beginning:

• A comfortable treatment chair – Clients should be able to relax fully.

• Quality Tools - Massage devices and tools that would enhance the experience.

• High-quality products – Investing in good scalp care products from the start made a huge difference.

• Basic decor & ambiance – Soft lighting, aromatherapy, and a clean, calming space were essential.

Setting Up the Room & Plumbing Considerations

One thing I didn’t initially consider was plumbing. Depending on your setup, you might need to install a sink or adjust existing plumbing to accommodate scalp treatments. It’s something to factor into your budget if you’re starting from scratch.

I also made sure my treatment area felt different from the regular salon space—it needed to be quiet, relaxing, and separate from the hustle of a typical hair salon.

Creating a Training Method for Employees

Once my head spa was up and running, I realized I couldn’t do everything myself. I needed to train my team, but since head spa treatments aren’t widely taught in cosmetology schools, I had to develop my own method.

I focused on:

• Teaching consistent techniques so every client had the same experience.

• Educating my team on scalp health.

• Creating a step-by-step process for each service to maintain quality control.

If you’re planning to bring in staff, having a structured training program is crucial to scaling your business.

Challenges & Risks

Like any business, opening a head spa came with challenges:

• Educating clients – Many people don’t understand why scalp care is important, or what a head spa even is so marketing and explaining the benefits took effort.

• Finding the right products – I went through a lot of trial and error before finding the best ones for my services.

• Building a steady client base – It took time for word to spread and for people to trust this “new” service. We have a hair salon, so we were able to convert most of those clients to the head spa as an add on.

Every business comes with risks, but if you believe in your service and stay persistent, you’ll push through the tough spots.

Marketing & Attracting Clients

To get my head spa off the ground, I focused on:

• Social media – Sharing scalp care tips, behind-the-scenes videos, and client results.

• Word of mouth – Encouraging happy clients to spread the word by offering a referral discount.

• Google Business Profile – Optimizing my listing so people searching for head spas could find me.

• Introductory offers – Running specials for first-time clients to try the experience

• Local Recognition - We were fortunate to be featured in Philly Mag as one of the head spas in the area! This was a pleasant surprise since we had no clue about this list! It shows our other marketing channels worked.

How Business Is Doing & The Reality of Ebbs & Flows

Now that my head spa has been running for almost 2 years, I can say it was 100% worth the effort. But like any business, there are ups and downs. Some months are fully booked, while others are slower. That’s just part of the game.

To balance this, I focus on:

• Encouraging repeat clients by adding on to hair services.

• Running seasonal promotions to attract new bookings.

• Using slower periods for education and improvement—refining my techniques and training my team.

Booking Appointments & Managing Client Flow

Once people started booking, I had to figure out the best system to manage appointments efficiently. I use online booking, which makes scheduling easier and allows clients to book at their convenience.

I also set realistic availability—since head spa services take longer than a regular salon appointment, I space them out properly to avoid feeling rushed and to allow time to reset the room between appointments.

Should You Open a Head Spa?

If you’re passionate about scalp care and wellness, I absolutely recommend it. There’s a growing market for head spas, and it’s a fantastic way to set your business apart.

My biggest advice? Start small, stay flexible, and don’t be afraid to pivot when needed. Invest in yourself, take the leap, and trust the process!

If you’re thinking about starting your own head spa, drop your questions in the comments or join my waitlist for my upcoming Head Spa Course, where I share everything I’ve learned to help you succeed!