Today’s salon-goers are not just beauty-conscious—they are wellness-driven. According to a 2023 Euromonitor report, over 68% of beauty consumers in India are seeking services that align with their lifestyle values, including stress relief, scalp health, and holistic wellness. For salons, this means moving beyond cut and colour into a space where rituals, results, and rootedness intersect. The summer season, marked by heat, humidity, and rising scalp concerns, is the ideal moment to offer something refreshingly different. By blending modern biohacking techniques with ancestral Indian hair care wisdom, salons can deliver not just treatments but transformations.
Biohacking—Science for the Scalp is the art of improving health and performance through measurable, science-backed interventions. In the context of haircare, it means using tools and ingredients that enhance the scalp’s microbiome, stimulate blood flow, and boost follicle resilience.
Salon-ready biohacks to explore:
- Red Light Therapy: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is clinically shown to increase hair density and thickness by improving blood circulation.
Brands like Theradome and iRestore offer salon-grade caps and devices.
- Cryo Scalp Massage: Cold rollers or cryo globes reduce inflammation and heat buildup on the scalp, especially beneficial in summer months.
- Scalp Nutricosmetic Mists: Mists infused with ingredients like biotin, caffeine, saw palmetto, or peptides are now offered by brands like Nutrafol, The Ordinary, and Re’equil.
- Tech Tools: Microcurrent combs or ultrasonic diffusers can enhance product absorption and scalp stimulation.
These techniques are gaining traction among urban clientele, especially men and women aged 25–40, who are seeking both performance and prevention from their beauty routines.
Reclaiming Indian Hair Rituals
The Power of Roots Hair rituals have always been part of India’s wellness heritage—from grandmother’s oiling sessions to Sunday hibiscus masks. As the world looks to India for Ayurvedic inspiration, there has never been a better time for salons to reintroduce regional practices with a modern flair.
Regional inspirations to introduce
- Kerala: The traditional hot oil blend of coconut, fenugreek, and curry leaves not only nourishes but also has antimicrobial and cooling properties. Salons can offer this as a warm pre-wash scalp treatment with optional steam.
- North East: Fermented rice water—rich in amino acids and inositol—can be used as a scalp rinse or mist to strengthen and hydrate hair. This practice, popular in Assam and Manipur, is rooted in folk traditions.
- Tamil Nadu: Hibiscus leaf and flower paste is known to soothe sun-exposed scalps and prevent premature greying. It also adds shine and bounce to dull hair.
- Gujarat & Rajasthan: Multani mitti and sandalwood-based scalp packs help absorb excess oil and cool the scalp in dry, arid conditions. Paired with rose water compresses, it becomes a sensory ritual.
Do not just deliver these rituals—tell the story. Display ingredients, describe their origins, and train your team to speak about both the benefits and the backstory.
Signature Service Blueprint
“Roots & Remedies” Here is a suggested protocol that salons can customise and offer this summer as a premium 60-minute hair wellness ritual:
Step 1: Personalized Scalp Discovery
- Use a digital questionnaire or scalp scanner to identify concerns like dandruff, oiliness, hair fall, or sensitivity.
- Offer clients a choice between two service paths: “Tradition-Driven” (ritual-focused) or “Tech-Enhanced” (biohack-focused).
Step 2: The Ritual
- Traditional Base:
- Warm oil massage with custom-blended oils based on scalp type.
- Application of a regionally-inspired scalp mask (e.g., hibiscus for heat, clay for oil, rice water for repair).
- Biohacking Boost:
- Red light wand therapy or cryo globe massage.
- Application of a nutricosmetic mist with targeted actives (e.g., caffeine for growth, peptides for repair).
- Optional: Oxygen dome, ultrasonic infusion, or high-frequency wand.
Step 3: Mindful Finish
- Cold water rinse or scalp compress to close follicles.
- Aromatherapy towel wrap with calming scents like lavender or vetiver.
- Application of a probiotic or scalp-balancing serum as leave-in protection.
Practical Tips for Implementation:
- Partner with brands like Kama Ayurveda, The Switch Fix, or Just Herbs for natural ingredients.
- Invest in compact red-light combs and cryo rollers to offer high-impact touchpoints without large equipment.
- Train therapists in both the application technique and storytelling to enhance perceived value.
Retail Tip for Stylists: Sell the Story, Not Just the Product. Clients increasingly want to recreate salon experiences at home.
Offer:
- Heritage oils in beautiful packaging with instructions.
- Dosha-specific scalp packs for weekly use.
- Nutricosmetic boosters (like biotin gummies or adaptogenic sprays). Create kits labeled “Summer Hair Ritual Box” or “Urban Scalp Reset” and display them prominently.
Consumer interest in scalp health is rising—in fact, Google Trends shows a 55% spike in searches for “scalp facial” and “scalp care” over the past two years in India.
The salons that succeed this summer will be those that nourish not just the hair, but the whole headspace.
Top 5 Products to Build Your Roots & Remedies Ritual
1.Kama Ayurveda Bringadi Intensive Hair Treatment
Ayurvedic oil with bhringraj and amla, ideal for scalp massage rituals.
2.iRestore Professional Red Light Helmet
For clinics or premium salons offering light therapy treatments.
3.Just Herbs Hibiscus Hair Mask
Perfect for DIY or in-salon use to calm and restore heat affected scalps.
4.The Switch Fix Scalp Serum
Vegan serum with fermented rice water and biotin for post treatment use.
5.Re’equil Pre-Wash Scalp Oil
A clinically formulated oil with proven ingredients for hair fall prevention.
This Is the ‘Future of Haircare’. Salons today are not just service centres—they are sanctuaries, and the most successful ones will be those that embrace both cutting-edge innovation and timeless wisdom.
With “Roots & Remedies,” you are not just offering a treatment—you are offering identity, ritual, results, and retail all in one immersive journey.
This summer, do not just style hair. Heal it. And in doing so, transform your menu—and your brand.
About the author:
Reena Sheth, Founder of Gaiia, focuses on creating future-ready wellness experiences by blending biophilia, technology, and sustainable design. A LinkedIn Top Voice in Hospitality Management, she is recognized for her expertise across AI-driven wellness solutions and branding and workplace well-being.
