Get a clean hair act, get a scalp facial

Ever had a scalp facial? Well, neither had I, until an opportunity came along to review the Nioxin Dermabrasion Treatment, at Nalini & Yasmin, Bandra.

So, why get a facial for your scalp? Designed to regenerate and revitalise the skin of your scalp, it helps clear blocks and excess oil clogging up your follicles, to ensure better hair growth and a less-irritated scalp.The treatment begins with a scalp consultation to check the state of your hair follicles and look for signs of product build up. Was I nervous? A little. The words dermabrasion and scalp sound pretty scary when put together.My hairstylist, Natasha talked my worries away, explaining that the treatment is basically a gentle exfoliation. With six hair systems to choose from, based on your hair type and thickness, I was matched with 'chemically treated, normal to thin-looking hair'. Each of the systems—available only at select salons—comprises of a scalp treatment shampoo, revitaliser and a leave-in conditioner.

The first step—the dermabrasion treatment was left to work for 10 minutes. “This treatment has to be done only in the salon,” insists Natasha, as her fingers trace pulsating circular motions on my scalp. After this, I am treated to a heavenly shampoo, condition and massage session. The Nioxin cleanser helps remove follicle-clogging sebum, fatty acids and other residue from the scalp and hair.

 “Ahhh, this feels so cool, just like a peppermint chewing gum would feel in your mouth,” I think, the second the conditioner touches my scalp. “It's the pepperment in the conditioner that makes your scalp feel so cool. This is the only conditioner, which must be applied on the scalp,” Natasha tells me. This is topped off with a leave-in treatment, followed by a blast-dry, which leaves my scalp feeling lighter and my hair more volumeness.Relaxed, upbeat and pleasantly surprised at my chilled-out scalp—I leave the salon with a clearer head in every sense of the word.