Six months of 2013 have gone by - are your skin and hair feeling stressed and tired? Urban reviews nine therapies that will rejuvenate your skin and hair and give your body some tender loving care.

HAIR & SCALP

Detox Regenerating Spa Therapy at Phyto Hair Science 04-12 Wheelock Place; tel: 6692-0662

New customers pay a special price of $128 for a 105-minute session (excluding consultation time) worth $308

What it is: The spa session promises to rid the scalp and hair follicles of impurities and toxins that prevent hair tonics and scalp-care shampoos from being absorbed properly. A regenerating serum and shampoo mask also claim to nourish the scalp and hair, and help control hairfall.

The treatment: The session started off with a thorough 30-minute consultation with the trichology-trained consultant.

After interviewing me about my lifestyle to uncover possible causes for my limp, oily hair and increased hairfall, she checked my scalp and hair follicles with a scope.

She showed me the dead skin cells flaking off and hardened sebum that was clogging some of my hair follicles. As I wash my hair every day and do not have dandruff, she assured me that my problem is a common one due to the humid weather.

I was then led to one of six massage chairs in the salon's spa area for the treatment to begin. The therapist applied a scalp-tingling detox mask and used a cold mist machine to open up my hair follicles for a deep cleansing ritual.

She then shampooed and massaged my head and shoulders, applied a serum and left me under an infrared lamp to promote the blood circulation in my scalp. Meanwhile, I enjoyed a South Korean romantic comedy on the iPad that all the massage chairs come with.

Phyto Hair Science says its scalp and haircare products are made with plant-based products and essential oils that are tailored to the Asian scalp.

The treatment ended with a blowdry.

After the session, my scalp was placed under the scope again and it looked much cleaner than before, with less coagulated sebum clogging my follicles. I was told that it usually takes four weekly sessions to completely get rid of the sebum.

For the next five days, my scalp felt less oily and my hair was not as limp.

Advanced Scalp Spa Ritual at The Kerastase Advanced Hair and Scalp Institute, J's Salon Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Level 3; tel: 6733-3882

$268 for 120 minutes (women); $218 for 90 minutes (men) What it is: This new 11-step treatment by haircare brand Kerastase claims to rejuvenate the scalp and promote healthy hair growth.

Each session includes a scalp exfoliation and customised doses of the brand's scalp and hair treatments that address both primary and secondary concerns, such as an oily scalp and hair loss.

The treatment: After a 15-minute consultation during which the therapist analysed my scalp with a scope, she told me that I have an irritated and oily scalp with dead skin cells clinging to it.

I also told her that I was worried about how my parting was widening.

A detoxifying scalp treatment and an anti-hairloss treatment were prescribed.

The scalp exfoliation process was accompanied by a deep, 20-minute shoulder and neck lymphatic drainage massage.

She then rubbed a serum into my cleansed scalp to stimulate it and further boosted the penetration of the product with an ionising gadget.

To ensure that I was thoroughly relaxed, she also used a gently vibrating massager to drain the lymph nodes on my arms and shoulders.

She later sprayed a customised hair growth stimulating cocktail into my scalp with a high-pressured nozzle.

The session ended with an excellent blowdry that left my hair bouncy and shiny.

I usually lose about 20 strands of hair each time I shampoo my hair. But for the next three days after the treatment, I did not lose a single strand.

For the next week, I also realised that I was losing fewer than 20 strands each time I shampooed my tresses.

Consultation and Deep Cleansing And Stimulating Treatment at Philip Kingsley

03-08 Palais Renaissance; tel: 6834-0988

$380 for a 90-minute treatment (an additional $50 for first consultation; both prices exclude blood test)

What it is: Going for a consultation with MsLeonica Kei, trichologist and owner of the local branch of the British trichological clinic, involves a quick interview about your family history of hair loss and lifestyle habits and, sometimes, a blood test.

The consultation precedes the deep cleansing and hair regrowth treatment session.

The treatment: To determine why I had a widening parting and thinner hair on my crown area, Ms Kei first had me go for a blood test at a nearby clinic at Paragon Medical just 30 minutes before our appointment.

She asked for an anaemia and thyroid screen, and a vitamin D test as these factors play an important role in ensuring the health of one's hair.

Ms Kei had me try the Deep Cleansing And Stimulating Treatment. A deep cleansing mask that contains sulphur (for deep cleansing), salicylic acid (for exfoliation) and menthol (to boost blood circulation) was applied thickly on my scalp.

It was to prepare it to absorb the nutrients that generate hair growth.

A moisturising cream was applied on top of the mask to help restore shine and elasticity. My head was then wrapped and put under a steamer. I was later given a stimulating head massage and put under an infrared lamp for seven minutes to boost the penetration of the formulas and improve blood circulation.

My hair and scalp felt cleaner and less oily for the rest of the week.

After my blood test results were out, Ms Kei told me that I had a less than optimum level of ferritin (a protein that stores iron) and insufficient vitamin D in my blood - factors that were causing my hair loss problem.

As a result, I have been taking a hair supplement that replenishes what I need for the past two months.

I have since noticed that the hair on my crown area has become slightly thicker.

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