Head spa glossary

Updated 27 October 2026 · 44 definitions

Water cascade, standalone basin, trichoscope, double shampoo, Qualiopi… Head spa vocabulary explained for clients and future practitioners.

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CAP Coiffure: French hairdressing diploma that gives the right to wash and care for hair in France. The French Government classes head spa with hair washing as hairdressing.
CAP Esthétique: French beauty therapy diploma. It covers face and body treatments, but not hair care.
Course of sessions: Package of several sessions close together, often 3 to 4.
CPF: Compte personnel de formation (French personal training account). It only funds courses listed in the RNCP or the Répertoire spécifique.

Dandruff: Small flakes of dead skin that come away from the scalp. Head spa can reduce them temporarily, without treating them.
Double shampoo: Two successive washes: the first cleans, the second is used for massage and care.
Dry head spa: Scalp massage without washing, dry or with oil, given on a massage table. It needs neither a basin nor water.

Filtered water: Water with some of its chlorine and limescale removed by a filter, gentler on the scalp.

Gua sha: Flat stone or horn tool used to massage the face or scalp with smoothing strokes.

Hair follicle: Small cavity in the skin from which each hair grows.
Hair mask: Treatment left on the lengths or scalp for a few minutes, often under steam.
Hair spa: Common synonym for head spa, sometimes used for rituals that focus on caring for the lengths.
Head spa: Wellness ritual focused on the head: massage of the scalp, neck and shoulders, often combined with washing at a basin, continuous water and steam.
Head spa basin: Washing basin designed so the head rests while lying down, often with a shower arch, waterfall or steam.
Head spa bed: Flat bed with a basin built in at head level. This is the equipment of high-end treatment rooms.
Hot stones: Warm stones placed on or glided over the neck and shoulders during some rituals.

Indian head massage (champissage): Ayurveda-inspired Indian scalp massage, given seated, often with oil.

Japanese head spa: Relaxation-oriented style: slow movements, flowing water, a silent atmosphere. Popularised in Japan in hair salons.

Kobido: Traditional Japanese facial massage, sometimes combined with head spa in signature rituals.
Korean head spa: “Treatment” style inspired by K-beauty: camera analysis, scrub, a 10- to 18-step protocol.

LED: Coloured light used during the treatment, for ambience or a cosmetic effect. It is not a medical treatment.

Micro-bubble shower head: Shower head that mixes air with water for a gentler spray, said to lift impurities more effectively.
Micro-entreprise: French sole-trader status, the most common way to start a head spa business in France, with social contributions proportional to turnover.

NDA: Numéro de déclaration d'activité (training provider registration number), which can be checked on the French Ministry of Labour's public list.

Oil bath: Warm oil applied to and massaged into the scalp before washing.
Ozone: Feature of some steam devices. Its benefit for the scalp is debated; it is not a treatment.

Protocol: The precise order of movements and products in a ritual. Training courses teach one or more.

Qualiopi: French quality certification required for a training course to be funded by public or pooled funds (CPF, OPCO, France Travail).

RC Pro: Professional liability insurance. It covers damage caused to a client during the treatment. Essential.
Ritual: Sequence of steps defined by the salon, with a name and a duration (taster, signature, prestige…).
RNCP / Répertoire spécifique: French national registers of professional certifications. A course that is not listed in them is not eligible for CPF funding.

Scalp analysis: Cosmetic observation (sebum, redness, flaking) to choose products. It does not replace medical advice.
Scalp massage: Massage of the scalp using pressure and friction. The basis of all head spa rituals.
Scalp scrub: Gentle exfoliation that removes product residue and dead skin before washing.
Scalp serum: Light leave-in treatment applied at the end of the ritual and massaged in.
Sebum: Oily film produced by the skin of the scalp. In excess, it makes hair get greasy again quickly.
Silicone brush (scalp brush): Soft brush with silicone bristles that massages and spreads the shampoo.
Spa capillaire: French term equivalent to head spa or hair spa.
Standalone basin: Basin with water tanks and a pump that runs from a power socket without being connected to the plumbing.
Steam hood: Hood or arch that releases warm steam while a mask is on.

Taster session: Short version (30 to 45 minutes) to try head spa at a reduced price.
Trichoscope: Magnifying camera that displays the scalp on a screen. Used for cosmetic analysis in Korean head spa.

Waterfall (cascade): Continuous stream of water flowing over the forehead or scalp. The sensory signature of the Japanese style.
Wellness massage: In France, a non-therapeutic massage with no medical purpose, which can be given without a state diploma, subject to the rules on hair washing.