ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Lessons from a Korean Scalp Spa: Balancing Scalp Care for Hair Health

other · 2026-08-13

A trip to Christian unv Headspa in Seoul, frequented by stars such as Zendaya and Ashley Graham, prompted a reassessment of hair-care practices. The session commenced with a scalp examination, which indicated active follicles alongside dryness and buildup. Esthetician Christina Kim pointed out that such congestion is often caused by the misuse of products. Trichologist Jay Small emphasized the necessity of maintaining a balanced microbiome. The 90-minute procedure encompassed cleansing, steaming, and massage to enhance scalp health. At home, a three-step regimen was implemented: exfoliating scalp scalers, scalp ampoules for moisture, and finishing serums for luster. Recommended items include Base-K The Rice Powder Detox and Aromatica Tea Tree Purifying Tonic.

Key facts

  • Christian unv Headspa is a traditional Korean headspa in Seoul attracting celebrities like Zendaya, Ashley Graham, and Princess Eugenie.
  • Scalp analysis revealed active follicles with two to four hairs each but also dryness, flaking, and buildup.
  • Christina Kim, founder of Dupï Studios and Dupï, identifies congestion and dehydration as the most common scalp issue.
  • Jay Small, co-founder of Arey, stresses the importance of a balanced microbiome for scalp health.
  • The 90-minute treatment included cleansing, steaming, rinsing, exfoliating, serum application, and massage.
  • Korean scalp treatments are based on Hanbang (traditional Korean medicine) and modern scalp science.
  • Three essential home-care steps: exfoliating scalp scalers, scalp ampoules, and finishing serums.
  • Scalp scalers are gentler than expected and prevent micro-tears from scratching.
  • Scalp ampoules contain ingredients like caffeine, ginseng, cica, panthenol, ceramides, and AHA/PHAs.
  • Finishing serums and lightweight oils protect hair ends, which are dead fibers.
  • Recommended products include Base-K The Rice Powder Detox, Aromatica Tea Tree Purifying Tonic, Sungboon Editor Deep Collagen Retinol Scalp Serum, Mise En Scene Perfect Serum, and Camellia Silk Hair Oil Essence.

Entities

Artists

  • Christina Kim
  • Jay Small

Institutions

  • Christian unv Headspa
  • Dupï Studios
  • Dupï
  • Arey
  • Vogue
  • NBC
  • The Today Show
  • Paul Mitchell
  • John Paul Mitchell Systems

Locations

  • Seoul
  • South Korea
  • Los Angeles

Sources