Recently, I came across the renowned Ayurveda salon called Headmistress. Known for its expertise in Ayurvedic treatments, this salon offers a range of solutions for various hair issues. With outlets in Publika and Bangsar, their salons promised to provide a holistic and natural approach to restore your hair’s health.
I found myself facing a common problem that sadly comes with age and hormonal changes – hair loss. Having tried all kinds of special shampoos, lotions, and hair treatments on the market, I decided to look for other, more natural solutions.
Excited and hopeful, I made an appointment and soon after headed to the Publika outlet to embark on this journey. Upon my arrival, I was greeted warmly and asked to fill out a detailed questionnaire. This questionnaire aimed to establish my dosha, which plays a significant role in Ayurvedic medicine because understanding it is crucial in determining the most suitable treatment for my hair loss.
The power of Ayurveda
Once the questionnaire was completed, I was taken for a consultation and scalp analysis with the resident trichologist Firdaus. He is a specialist who studies issues related to the scalp and hair. Firdaus explained about Ayurveda, a traditional Hindu system of medicine which has been around for over 5000 years. It is based on the idea of balance in bodily systems and uses herbal treatment, diet, and yogic breathing.
According to the philosophy there are three different energies, or doshas, known as vata, pitta, and kapha. During the consultation I discovered that I was a pitta and that my scalp was suffering from congested follicle hair loss. Firdaus explained that this type of hair loss is often associated with hormonal imbalances.
To address my specific needs, Firdaus prescribed the Shirolepa treatment for me. I was then introduced to my therapist, Aishah, who guided me to a changing room where I adorned a beautiful batik sarong, adding a touch of traditional elegance to the experience.
Bring it on, Headmistress!
I was seated comfortably, and the blissful journey to restore my hair’s health commenced. Aishah started with a gentle scraping technique, which effectively removed dead cells from my scalp. This was followed by a luxurious head and shoulder massage using Ayurvedic oils carefully chosen to target my condition.
The massage lasted for about 45 minutes, providing pure relaxation while promoting circulation and nourishment to my scalp. After this delightful pampering, a special mask was applied. The mask consisted of amla, triphala, shikakai, neem, brahmi, and bhringraj which are herbs and fruit in powder form which were then mixed with natural yoghurt, lime and methi leaves to form a paste for the mask.
Banana leaf and a steamer
Once she applied the mask on my scalp and hair, she wrapped my head with banana leaf for optimum absorption and then I was placed under a steamer for about 20 minutes. After the steaming was complete, I was escorted for a refreshing wash, and the treatment concluded with a professional blow dry. Before bidding farewell, my scalp underwent one final scan with Firdaus to assess the impact the treatment had made, and I definitely could see the difference.
Leaving Headmistress, I felt more rejuvenated and positive. The Shirolepa treatment apparently removes fatigue and anxiety and I indeed felt at peace. I feel that with regular treatments there definitely would be an improvement and I understand why the salon was bustling with activity. The numerous reviews from satisfied customers attest to the effectiveness of their treatments.
Whilst I would have loved to continue the journey towards healthier hair, I couldn’t help but find the packages pricey, making it challenging for me to commit to any long-term treatment plan. However, Headmistress does offer its own Ayurvedic haircare range so maybe incorporating that into my routine can be a reasonable alternative?
And who knows, maybe someday, I will return to Headmistress to fully indulge in yet another 2 hours Shirodhara pampering session with Aishah.
Have a look at our article about the Sweatspa; another great way to improve your wellbeing!
