A Journey into Bathing & Wellness Culture in Ancient Japan: My Japanese Head Spa Experience
I’ve always been fascinated by the way Japan turns even the simplest acts — pouring tea, arranging flowers, bathing — into art. So when I had the chance to book a Japanese head spa with Jocelyn at Fem Face Beauty at her studio in Coral Gables, Florida, I knew it wasn’t going to be just another beauty treatment. It felt like stepping into a centuries-old tradition of self-care, reimagined for modern times.
The spa was serene from the moment I walked in — dim lighting, soft incense, and the faint sound of running water. My practitioner, Jocelyn, greeted me with the kind of quiet warmth you’d expect in a Japanese tea house.
Step 1: Red Light Ritual
We began with a gentle red light therapy over my scalp — a warm, glowing halo of light that felt both futuristic and ancient at the same time. While the science says it stimulates circulation and promotes hair growth, I couldn’t help but imagine it as a modern echo of Shinto purification rituals, where light and nature cleanse the spirit. My mind drifted, my breathing slowed, and I could feel my nervous system slipping into deep relaxation.
Step 2: Cleansing Like an Onsen for the Scalp
Next came the scalp cleanse — a warm, aromatic rinse infused with herbs. The scent reminded me of green tea and camellia oil, ingredients Japanese women have used for centuries to nourish hair and skin. The massage was deliberate, each movement unlocking tension in my temples and neck. It felt like shiatsu for my mind, as if each tsubo point was releasing stored stress I didn’t even know I had.
Step 3: Blowout & Transformation
After the cleanse, my hair was wrapped in a soft towel, and I was guided to the styling area for a silky, smooth blowout. As the stylist worked, I realized my scalp felt lighter, my hair softer, and my whole body calmer. The transformation wasn’t just on the outside — it was a reset for my mood, my thoughts, and my energy.
Why It Feels Different
A Japanese head spa isn’t just a salon service — it’s a mindful ritual. It draws from the ancient bathing culture of onsen, herbal infusions passed down from the Heian era, and the pressure-point therapy of shiatsu. It’s beauty and wellness in harmony, a reminder that caring for yourself should be slow, intentional, and sensory.
As I left, I caught my reflection in the mirror — hair gleaming, shoulders relaxed, eyes softer. For a moment, I felt like I had just stepped out of another time, carrying with me a little piece of Japan’s quiet magic.
If you reside in the South Florida area and would like to experience this head spa magic, I highly recommend booking with Jocelyn at Fem Face Beauty: you can book her services here.