'Head massages' at hairdressers....why?

[jaffacakesallround]

Had a good hair cut recently but the shampooist- why oh why do they do it? When they apply conditioner they try to give you a head massage- usually inexpertly- feels a bit like being kissed by a spotty teenager who doesn't know what to do- and makes me cringe.
Does anyone else find it annoying, uncomfortable and just want to tell them to get on with the washing and leave your head alone?

Hate it.
Hurts in fact, I have to brace my neck - not comfy in the basin regardless of padding - and am totally distracted by the sound of hair grating against my scalp, icky! Have asked for it to be avoided but the trainee always looks so hurt I now just smile and endure.

This is why I cut my own hair, cannot stand it, haven't been for about 8 years now it is so loathsome. Mumsnet upside down haircuts for me

Hate hate hate this. Last time my scalp ached that bad that I visibly winced when I was getting my hair cut and she asked me what was wrong and I had to say it was all a tad over enthusiastic.

I normally get hair dyed every time I go and it just ends up in a huge tatty mess and said junior then has to detangle it all.

Going tomorrow and I'm dreading this bit

I hate it; it feels intrusive and like a huge overstepping of personal boundaries. Massage is an intimate act and I wish they would ask permission, but I have never been asked if I'm OK with it. I put up with it because I don't want to hurt the young teenager's feelings.

Ooh I love it

I always ask for them not to. I hate it!

Also, I request that the chair massage thing not be switched on. They just flick it on and its awful.

Just bring me a black coffee, some glossy magazines, tell me the wifi password and let's go! I miss living in London and my stylist used to do my hair in the back with a G&T:) those were the days ( wistful)

Sicaq yes exactly that. I tell them before they start not to as I do not like it, so it's not about them.

Sic if you feel that strongly about it then say. trust me I was a junior and it would not upset me in the slightest if someone didn't want the conditioner head message thing. . not really something to be upset about.

I used to get compliments about my hair washing. .

sometimes though the stylist would say take your time if they were running behind, so they'd make out the client was getting some sort of complimentary conditioning treatment or something.

Oh I didn't think any hairdressers did this any more - thought it died out after the millennium. I guess I don't go to the hairdressers very often any more. I adore a head massage, would go in there just for that tbh.

Oh I absolutely hate this. When the trend first started, the head massages were lovely but then as every hairdresser started offering it, the standard was dreadful. I remember one time that I told my hairdresser that the massage was painful and that could she have a word with the junior so that she didn't dig her nails into my scalp.

Now I go to a hairdresser that just shampoos and conditions and I'm very happy with that.

I LOVE the head massage, it's the best part of the hairdressing experience by far. I love it even when it's being administered by some bored, gum chewing, Flymo fingered trainee. I drift off on a cloud of bliss.

I could have a massage in the middle of the dual carriageway at rush hour and still find it relaxing. But if you don't like it, just tell them, I'm sure the Flymo fingered trainees won't mind.

Oh I hate it, I hate getting my hair washed with my neck in that painful position never mind making it last any longer than necessary. Last time my stylist said she was showing the junior how to wash my hair, so she did it all step by step, followed by the junior doing it all step by step with the stylist watching closely and giving encouragement. Twas terrible but she does a fab haircut.

I've just booked a head massage - not at the hairdresser's

I HATE it

I love it. I get pissed off if I don't get a head massage. But I agree some of them are crap and feeble, or just very half-hearted. I would definitely go back to a place again and again on account of a decent massage with my shampoo.

I am truly amazed at how many of you dislike this. I am baffled by it.

I remember it suddenly happening in hairdressers, like they had all suddenly got the memo from the Big Chief of Hairdressing that from now on the policy is to give everyone a head massage, and I was surprised but delighted.

Why has it started to fall out of favour then? Lots of salons do seem to have stopped doing it. I think they just can't be bothered any more.

There is a reason for it and I LOVE a good one (like someone mentioned above I've also had the hair pulling, sharp nails, half-arsed kind which suck).

" It promotes circulation in the scalp which helps keep the blood flowing to the follicles and keeps the oils and nutrients in healthy supply."

It's my favorite bit too! And it's never long enough.

I've not got spare cash but I now so want to book a head massage. I've never had a proper one.

I love people playing with my hair though too. Very very therapeutic!

I agree Goodness. I let ds cut my hair, even though it results in a somewhat lopsided barnet with lumps out of it, because he's quite slow and touches my head a lot

It's horrible. They rub hair over hair rather than massaging the scalp. It's like squeaky chalk on a blackboard.

I love it but agree it depends in who's doing it. The last time I went to the hairdressers I had a new girl do it and she wasn't anywhere near as good.

There a young guy that does an amazing job so I'm always glad when I get him.

My grandma used to comb my hair for hours when I wa little so I love my head/hair being messed with.

I hate it too. It makes me shudder (in a bad way)

My hairdressers are part of a small franchise which has its own training academy and each and every junior is trained in shiatsu massage before they are allowed to touch a customer.

They bring over shampoo watered down slightly in a bottle, spray your head while you sit in the chair, and then give you an amazing head and neck massage which never goes on long enough.

After that they take you to the backwash sink and wash and condition. It's brilliant and definitely worth the (not insubstantial ) cost.

There is a reason for it too which my stylist told me, it's something to do with blood flow and making you feel happy (wasn't listening properly )

Oh I LOVE it. Have never had a bad one. They make me go all dreamy and sleepy. Always wish it lasted longer.