CO2 Scalp Treatment: Benefits, Process, and Results

Short answer: a carbonated hair treatment (also called a CO2 scalp treatment) uses water with carbon dioxide dissolved in it on the scalp, usually alongside cleansing and botanical or essential-oil products. What's measured is circulation: CO2-rich water raised skin blood flow in a lab study on lower legs. For hair and scalp, expect a deep cleanse and a relaxing appointment. We found no clinical trial showing it regrows hair or treats hair loss.

A CO2 scalp treatment uses water with carbon dioxide dissolved in it on the scalp, and at JH Beauty each CO2 session on the menu is paired with botanical or essential-oil products. The measured effect of CO2-rich water is on circulation: in a study on lower legs, it raised skin blood flow far more than plain water at the same temperature. One small scalp study exists, but none of the research we found shows it treats hair loss.

That's the short version. Below is what carbonated water does to skin according to published studies, where the evidence stops, what JH Beauty's CO2 scalp treatments in Sunnyvale cost, and when a dermatologist is the better first appointment.

How CO2 Scalp Therapy Works

Carbon dioxide passes through skin. When it does, it makes the tissue slightly more acidic, and small blood vessels respond by relaxing and widening. A 2016 study in Physiological Reports, "Acute vascular effects of carbonated warm water lower leg immersion in healthy young adults," spells out the mechanism: CO2 acts on skin vessels directly from the water, and the local acidity it creates causes vasodilation.

The same study gives a sense of scale. Twelve healthy young men immersed their lower legs in 38°C water, either plain tap water or tap water carbonated to 1,000 ppm. After 20 minutes, skin blood flow reached about 644% of its starting level in the carbonated water, versus about 254% of its starting level in plain water. The researchers also reported that plain water had to reach roughly 43°C to match the blood-flow effect the CO2 water produced at 38°C. In other words, carbonation gets the circulation response of a hot soak without the heat.

What this does and doesn't tell you about your scalp

Every one of those measurements was taken on legs, not scalps, and none of them measured hair. It's reasonable to expect the scalp's skin to react to CO2 the way other skin does. It is not established that the extra blood flow changes shedding, density or growth, and we found no clinical trial of CO2 treatments for diagnosed hair loss, so we don't claim it. Earlier versions of this page quoted specific figures for oxygen delivery and hair diameter; we removed them because we couldn't trace them to a study.

The one scalp study we found is a 2018 master's thesis at Sungshin Women's University. Eighteen men in their twenties and thirties with seborrheic, sensitive or oily scalps took part for five weeks: nine used plain shampoo plus a cosmetic carbonated water on the scalp, and nine used shampoo alone. The author reported a greater reduction in scalp redness in the carbonated-water group, a difference in flaking at one measured point on the front of the scalp only, and small differences in hair density at two frontal points. It is a small student study of one cosmetic product, not a test of hair-loss treatment, of a studio service like JH Beauty's, or of rinsing with bottled sparkling water.

Scalp Massage Has Its Own Small Study

If your session includes scalp massage, it is worth knowing what the research on massage itself shows. Ask what your chosen session includes, since the menu doesn't spell out each step. In a 2016 paper in Eplasty, nine healthy Japanese men had a standardized 4-minute scalp massage every day for 24 weeks, on one side of the head only. By week 24, hair on the massaged side was thicker (average shaft diameter went from 0.085 mm to 0.092 mm). Hair count on the massaged side dropped significantly at week 12, which the authors suggested may have been resting-phase hairs falling out during massage, and hair growth rate showed no significant change during the study. The authors suggested that stretching forces on the dermal papilla cells were responsible.

Nine people, a device doing the massage, daily sessions for six months, with the untreated side of the head as the comparison: it's a small pilot result, not proof that a monthly spa massage thickens hair. We mention it because it's the closest published evidence on scalp massage, and because it's honest about what was measured.

Who a CO2 Scalp Treatment Suits

Based on what the menu offers and what the research supports, a CO2 scalp session makes sense if you want:

• A deep, professional cleanse and reset when your scalp feels oily, heavy or coated with product.
• A relaxing, pampering appointment. JH Beauty describes its scalp treatments as customized care with soothing exfoliation and nutrient-rich hair care.
• A treatment built around oily scalp and flaking. JH Beauty's Oway Botanical Balance session is listed on the menu for oily scalp, dandruff and oil control.

It's not the right first step if:

• You're losing hair and don't know why. The American Academy of Dermatology says effective hair-loss treatment "begins with finding the cause," which may take a blood test or scalp biopsy from a board-certified dermatologist. The AAD also notes minoxidil can help early hair loss but can't regrow a full head of hair, and takes 6 to 12 months to show results. See a dermatologist first, and ask them before adding a scalp treatment.
• Your dandruff is severe or won't clear. The AAD suggests over-the-counter shampoos with zinc pyrithione, salicylic acid, sulfur, selenium sulfide, ketoconazole or coal tar, and a dermatologist if that doesn't work, since the flakes may be seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, a fungal infection or eczema.
• You react to fragrance or essential oils. DermNet lists tea tree, ylang-ylang, lemongrass, sandalwood and clove among essential oils known to cause allergic contact dermatitis. Tell the studio before the session so the products can be chosen around it.
• You have broken skin, an active infection or a very irritated scalp. The AAD notes that skin with seborrheic dermatitis is easily irritated; wait for a flare to calm or get it treated.

JH Beauty's CO2 Scalp Treatments and Prices

JH Beauty in Sunnyvale lists four scalp treatments built on CO2 spring water, plus two alternatives that don't use carbonation. Prices and times below are from the current menu:

• CO2 Spring Water + Organic Essential Oil Purifying Scalp Treatment — 75 minutes, $218.
• [Purifying Care] CO2 Spring Water — Deep Cleansing, Hair Vitality, Purifying — $218. The menu describes it as CO2 spring water and organic essential oils that purify and rebalance the scalp and nourish the hair.
• [Oway Botanical Balance] CO2-Spring Botanical — 75 minutes, $218, listed for oily scalp, dandruff and oil control, using Italian herbal and mineral products.
• [Hair Growth] Premium Customized Botanical — 90 minutes, $298, a customized CO2 spring water session the menu positions for clients concerned about hair loss and density.

Oway, the brand behind the botanical session, is an Italian professional hair-care company founded in Bologna in 1948. It grows herbs for its formulas on its own biodynamic farm, Ortofficina, in the hills near Bologna.

Not sure carbonation is what you want? The menu also has the [Healthy Scalp] Hydrogen Water Fusion treatment (75 minutes, $258), and the [Relax & Balance] NanoWater + Essential Oil treatment (60 minutes, $168), which the menu frames around relaxation, better sleep and stress relief. Our guide to hydrogen scalp treatment covers the hydrogen option, and our head spa in Sunnyvale page compares every scalp option.

What to Expect in the Chair

The Organic Essential Oil and Oway Botanical Balance sessions are booked as 75 minutes and the Premium Customized session as 90 minutes; the menu lists no duration for the Purifying Care session, so ask when you book. Plan for your hair to get wet and washed. Before you start, tell the studio about recent color, bleach or chemical services, any scalp condition you're being treated for, and any fragrance or essential-oil sensitivity, so the products can be chosen for you. The premium tier is the customized one, so that conversation matters most there.

If anything stings or burns during the session, say so; that's not something to sit through.

Results, realistically

A cleansing, relaxing appointment is a reasonable expectation. Beyond that, be skeptical of anyone who quotes you a percentage of reduced shedding or added thickness from CO2 treatments: the leg study measured blood flow, the small five-week scalp study above measured redness, flaking and density in 18 men with scalp problems (not hair loss), and the one massage study measured a small change in nine men over six months of daily massage. If hair loss is your main concern, start with a dermatologist's diagnosis and the treatments the AAD recommends, and ask them before adding a scalp treatment.

How often

We found no research-based schedule for CO2 scalp sessions. Book as often as you enjoy it and your scalp tolerates it; the studio can suggest a rhythm based on how your scalp looks from visit to visit.

Washing Hair With Carbonated Water at Home

A carbonated hair treatment at a studio and a bottle of sparkling water poured over your head are not the same thing. The only scalp study we found is the small Korean thesis described above, which applied a cosmetic carbonated water after shampoo for five weeks; we found no study of rinsing with ordinary bottled sparkling water. The blood-flow results above came from lower legs soaked for 20 minutes in 38°C water carbonated to 1,000 ppm; a quick rinse with a bottle of fizzy water at home doesn't recreate that, and as the gas escapes the water goes flat.

What a home rinse will do is rinse. The cleansing in any wash still comes from your shampoo. If your reason for trying it is shine or less frizz, the related evidence is about pH: a 2014 review in the International Journal of Trichology found that alkaline shampoos may increase the negative electrical charge on the hair surface and friction between fibers, which can damage the cuticle, and that lower-pH shampoos may cause less frizz. The same authors say studies are still needed to establish the best pH range for scalp and hair. If you try a carbonated rinse, use plain unflavored sparkling water and stop if your scalp stings or itches.

Booking a CO2 Scalp Treatment in Sunnyvale

JH Beauty is at 525 W Remington Dr, Suite 102, Sunnyvale, CA 94087, open Tuesday through Sunday, 10:45 AM to 8 PM. Call +1-650-784-6076, or compare every scalp option with prices on our head spa in Sunnyvale page and the full menu.

FAQ: CO2 Scalp Treatments

What does a CO2 scalp treatment actually do?

It uses carbonated water on the scalp along with cleansing and botanical or essential-oil products; the exact steps vary by session. A 2016 study on lower legs found CO2-rich water raised skin blood flow much more than plain water at the same temperature, because CO2 passes into the skin and widens small vessels. Those measured effects are on circulation in leg skin; a small five-week scalp study reported less redness with a cosmetic carbonated water, and neither shows an effect on hair growth.

Will a CO2 scalp treatment stop hair loss?

We found no clinical trial showing that it does; the one small scalp study we found looked at men with problem scalps, not hair loss. The American Academy of Dermatology says hair-loss treatment starts with finding the cause, which takes a dermatologist. A scalp treatment is not a replacement for that care; ask your dermatologist before adding one.

Does a CO2 scalp treatment help hair grow?

We found no evidence that it does. The 2016 leg study measured blood flow, not hair. The 2018 thesis reported small differences in hair density at two frontal points in 18 men over five weeks, which is too small and too short to show growth. The menu positions the Premium Customized session for clients concerned about hair loss and density, but that's a description of the service, not a proven result. For thinning hair, see a dermatologist first.

Does a CO2 scalp treatment affect hair color?

We found no study showing that carbonated water changes or fades hair color, and we can't say it has no effect on dyed or bleached hair. Because color and chemical services change how hair behaves, tell the studio about any recent color, bleach or chemical treatment before the session so the products can be chosen for you.

What is CO2 shampoo, and what does it do for your hair and scalp?

"CO2 shampoo" generally means a shampoo or cleansing step made with carbonated water. The cleansing still comes from the shampoo itself. We found no study of a product sold as CO2 shampoo. The closest evidence is the 2018 thesis, where men used plain shampoo plus a cosmetic carbonated water applied afterward and showed a greater reduction in scalp redness. The CO2 sessions on this page are salon scalp treatments, not take-home shampoos.

What does a carbonated spray do for the scalp?

We found no study of a carbonated spray specifically. The nearest evidence is the cosmetic carbonated water in the 2018 thesis, which was associated with less scalp redness in 18 men with seborrheic, sensitive or oily scalps over five weeks. The gas escapes as the water goes flat, so a spritz isn't comparable to the 20-minute leg soak in the circulation study. Stop using any spray that stings or itches.

Are there studies showing that carbonated shampoo increases scalp blood flow?

We found none. The blood-flow evidence is the 2016 study in which 12 healthy young men soaked their lower legs for 20 minutes in 38°C water carbonated to 1,000 ppm; skin blood flow reached about 644% of baseline versus about 254% in plain water. That tested legs, not scalps, and soaking, not shampoo. The scalp thesis measured redness, flaking and hair density, not blood flow.

Is a carbon hair treatment the same as a carbonated hair treatment?

Not necessarily. A carbonated hair treatment uses carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolved in water, which is what the sessions on this page use. "Carbon" is sometimes used loosely for the same thing, but it can also refer to other products, so ask any salon exactly what is used and how it's applied before you book.

Does it hurt?

It isn't described as a painful treatment, but tell the studio right away if anything stings or burns. If your scalp is broken, infected or very irritated, wait until it has healed.

How much does a CO2 scalp treatment cost at JH Beauty?

The CO2 Spring Water + Organic Essential Oil and Oway Botanical Balance treatments are each $218 for 75 minutes; the Purifying Care treatment is $218 with no listed duration. The Premium Customized treatment is $298 for 90 minutes.

Is it safe with essential-oil or fragrance allergies?

Essential oils such as tea tree, ylang-ylang and lemongrass are known causes of allergic contact dermatitis. Tell the studio about any sensitivity before the session so the products can be chosen around it.

Can it help with dandruff?

The Oway Botanical Balance session is designed for oily, flaky scalps, and a thorough cleanse helps with buildup. For persistent dandruff, the AAD recommends medicated shampoos (zinc pyrithione, salicylic acid, selenium sulfide, ketoconazole and others) and a dermatologist if they don't work, because the cause may be seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis.

Is washing hair with carbonated water good for it?

The evidence is thin. One small five-week study of 18 men with problem scalps reported less redness when a cosmetic carbonated water was applied after shampoo, but we found no study of rinsing with ordinary bottled sparkling water. Carbonated water also raised skin blood flow in a lab study on legs, which is a different exposure from a quick home rinse. Your shampoo does the cleansing; a sparkling-water rinse is an experiment, not a treatment.

What is a carbonated hair treatment?

It's another name for a CO2 scalp treatment: water with carbon dioxide dissolved in it is used on the scalp during a salon or studio session. At JH Beauty, each CO2 session is paired with botanical or essential-oil products, from $218 (75 minutes) to $298 (90 minutes).

CO2 or hydrogen: which scalp treatment should I book?

Choose CO2 if you want a deep cleanse with carbonated water, or the Oway Botanical Balance session for an oily, flaky scalp. JH Beauty's hydrogen treatment ($258, 75 minutes) is the menu's option listed for seborrheic-dermatitis-type dandruff scalps. If you can't decide, describe your scalp when you call and ask which fits.