What Products Do Salons Use for Hair Spa? (And How to Get That Bouncy Salon Finish at Home)

Antony A

3 days ago

4 min read

Ever leave a salon with hair that looks and feels like it's got its own life, moving effortlessly as you walk? It's soft, bouncy, and just the right kind of shiny. Then a few days later, it's back to the usual hair struggles, leaving you wondering what sorcery happened in there.

This is even trickier if you live in a humid city like Mumbai, Chennai, or Kolkata and have an oily scalp, as many of us do in India. How do you achieve that voluminous, airy look when your scalp seems to start producing oil right after you shower? It's no mystery. It comes down to the products used and the precise method salons employ. Let's unravel the mystery.

Why Does a Salon Hair Spa Feel So Different?

It's not just about slathering on some deep conditioner. A salon hair spa is a meticulous process involving several steps: cleansing, nourishing, scalp stimulating, and finishing, each using products crafted for professional use. Unlike the items you get at the supermarket, these professional-grade products are more concentrated, meaning even a tiny amount can have a bigger impact than your regular conditioner.

Technique plays a part, but let's be honest, the products are the main stars.

The Typical Salon Hair Spa Process

Step 1: Pre-Spa Oil Massage

The ritual often kicks off with a warm oil massage to loosen any buildup and prepare the hair to absorb subsequent treatments. Salons rely on blended professional oils, like those from Matrix Professional, which are lightweight yet nourishing. If you have an oily scalp, they'll focus on the lengths and ends, steering clear of the roots. Don't hesitate to voice your preferences if needed.

Step 2: Clarifying Shampoo

Next comes a wash with clarifying or balancing shampoo, a key reason why salon hair feels instantly different. Professional shampoos remove stubborn buildup, unlike drugstore variants. You'll often find Wella Professional's Balance range or Matrix's Normalizing shampoo in salons, which precisely cleanse without drying out the hair.

For those with oily scalps, this is especially beneficial. A good clarifying wash refreshes the scalp without provoking extra oil production.

Step 3: The Hair Spa Cream or Mask

Here's where the magic really happens. The hair spa cream or mask is what gives your hair that enviable bounce and texture. Salons often opt for masks from professional collections such as:

Matrix Professional Opti.Care Smooth Straight Professional Spa: Highly favored in Indian salons, particularly for frizzy or chemically treated hair, it smooths the cuticle without adding weight.
Wella Professional Invigo Range: With formulas addressing varying hair needs, volume, moisture, scalp balance, Wella's Nutri-Enrich mask is popular for rejuvenating dry, lackluster hair.
Schwarzkopf BC Bonacure: Another line seen in mid to premium salons, its repair masks excel on damaged or color-tr...(truncated for brevity)
Kerastase (in top-tier salons): Offering premium results, these highly concentrated treatments come with a premium price tag too, often Rs. 1500-2000 and up.

The mask is applied on damp hair, away from the roots if your scalp's oily, and left to penetrate under steam, sometimes for as long as 30 minutes.

Step 4: Steam

Ever feel like a sci-fi character under that hooded machine? That's the steamer, which helps the mask's ingredients dive deep into the hair shaft, unlike a regular at-home mask. To mimic this effect at home, wrap your masked hair in a warm, damp towel.

Step 5: Scalp Massage and Rinse

Once the mask has done its work under steam, a scalp massage and rinse follow. This step boosts circulation, aiding hair health. The rinse with cool or lukewarm water, not hot, helps keep the hair smooth.

Step 6: Leave-In Serum or Spray

Think you're done? Not quite. The final touch is a lightweight leave-in serum or spray post-rinse to lock in that salon finish. Matrix and Wella offer excellent serums, and some salons add a heat protectant before blow-drying.

Can You Recreate This at Home?

The short answer is partially. While you might not achieve exact salon results without professional tools, you can get closer than a simple wash. Here's a practical approach:

Opt for a clarifying shampoo every two weeks. TRESemmé Deep Cleanse or Neutrogena Anti-Residue shampoos are available in India.
Use a quality hair mask like Wella Invigo Nutri-Enrich or L'Oreal Professionnel Absolut Repair on your ends.
Imitate the steam treatment by wrapping your hair in a warm towel for 20 minutes.
Finish with a cool water rinse.
Work in a serum like Schwarzkopf Osis+ Soft or Matrix Opti.Care on damp hair.
Get that salon blowout effect with a round brush during blow-dry, directing the airflow downward.

If you're washing every other day due to an oily scalp, don't fret. A once-a-week mask treatment can be a game-changer.

For Oily Scalp: Does a Hair Spa Help?

Even if your scalp is on the oilier side, hair spas can be beneficial. Overly stripping shampoos can lead to more sebum production, while a balanced approach nourishes and can reduce oiliness over time. Just ensure heavy products don't touch your roots and communicate your concerns with your stylist.

How often should you indulge in a salon spa? Typically, once a month suffices. In very humid environments or for treated hair, consider going every three weeks.

Questions to Ask at Your Next Salon Visit

If you're curious about what they're using on your hair, don't hesitate to ask. Inquire about the brand of spa cream, whether they use steam, and if they have treatments suitable for oily scalps. Most salons are open about their products, and a knowledgeable stylist is your best ally in hair care.

Remember, being informed means making better choices for your hair whether at a salon or with at-home treatments. Your hair deserves that attention, truly.