What is ASMR, and How Does It Fit Into a Spa Setting?
I have been a salon owner for over a decade, and a little over three years ago, we opened Solari Head Spa here in Oklahoma City. When I was undergoing training for our Japanese head spa services, I noticed that many of the protocols incorporated ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response). Initially, we only utilized these techniques as part of the head spa experience.
About a year in, my team suggested offering ASMR as a standalone session. I’ll admit, I didn't entirely understand the appeal at first. But then I experienced an ASMR session for myself. It put me in a state of complete relaxation, but unlike a traditional massage, I didn't have any muscle soreness the next day. It was an amazing, entirely different kind of experience. We practiced different techniques then incorporated it into Solari Head Spa as its own service. Today, guests can book ASMR as a standalone session or as a pre-relaxation treatment before any of our facials or head spas.
The Science Behind the Sensation
I always tell my clients that the deep relaxation they feel isn't just in their heads. There is science backing it up. According to resources, ASMR triggers specific regions of the brain associated with relaxation and emotional feelings.
When you experience ASMR, your brain releases a rush of feel-good neurotransmitters, like endorphins that boost your mood, oxytocin that makes you feel warm and connected, and dopamine that reduces stress and promotes calm. putting your mind in a restorative, meditative state similar to what you experience during deep focus or mindfulness exercises.
A Familiar, Comforting Touch
When clients call to ask what our ASMR sessions are like, I describe it as a deeply familiar, comforting feeling. It triggers a physical sensation, often a tingling, almost like getting goosebumps or a light tickle just before you can't stand it and move away.
Many of our guests tell us it reminds them of being a child, when their mom used to gently play with their hair or run their hands up and down their arm to soothe them when they were upset. As adults, sometimes we miss the experience of that kind of purely nurturing attention. ASMR is a meditative experience that provides comfort and calm to those who are ready for it.
The ASMR Experience: What to Expect During Your Session
If you have watched ASMR videos online, you might expect a lot of tapping, whispering, or clicking noises. Our sessions look and feel quite different. We focus on engaging the five senses to help relieve stress from your body and mind, but we do so in a deeply relaxing, professional spa environment.
You will be in a darkened spa room with soft spa music playing. We use a touch of aromatherapy to invite relaxation, eliminating any outside distractions. The only sounds you will hear are the spa music and the gentle, rhythmic noises made by our specialized tools.
The Tools We Use (And What We Leave Out)
Because this is not a massage, we use very specific implements to create sensory triggers using gentle, slow, and repetitive movements. We love discovering what each individual client prefers so we can customize the session completely to them.
Brushes: We use a variety of brushes, often starting with a coarse, stiff brush followed by a much softer brush over the scalp, face, neck, upper shoulders, arms, and back.
Chopsticks: One of our guests' absolute favorite sensations is the feeling of chopsticks slowly drawing lines through their hair and across their neck and shoulders.
Temperature Tools: We use cold and warm tools, including ice globes. When turned upside down near the ear, the ice globes create a soothing water-gurgling sound.
Facial Tools: We utilize jade gua sha, stainless steel, and scraping tools to gently relieve facial and neck tension.
Fan Brushes: You might see feathers used in online ASMR videos, but due to strict sanitation standards, feathers are difficult to properly sanitize. Instead, we use incredibly soft facial fan brushes that deliver the exact same light touch while maintaining perfect spa hygiene.
Tuning Forks & Rollers: We use the light vibrations of tuning forks and various body rollers to engage different sensory receptors on the skin.
The Biggest Misconception About Spa ASMR
The most common misconception clients have before their first appointment is expecting a massage. ASMR is not a massage; it is purely for deep nervous system relaxation. We are conditioned to think that relaxation has to come from deep physical pressure, but sometimes the lightest touch creates the deepest peace. You won't leave with the sore muscles that sometimes follow a deep tissue massage. Instead, guests frequently tell us they feel almost "buzzed" or in a trance-like state because they are so profoundly relaxed. For the service, you remain mostly clothed. We simply have you change into one of our comfortable spa wraps so you can easily feel our tools and hands on your head, neck, shoulders, back, and arms.
Who is the Perfect Candidate for ASMR?
ASMR is for anyone carrying mental, emotional, or physical tension. Being located in Oklahoma City, we see a wide variety of guests who use ASMR to cope with high-stress situations.
College Students: We see a massive influx of students during finals week who need to force their brains to power down and achieve deep relaxation before going back to studying.
Pre-Surgery Patients: We are located near a major hospital, and we frequently have patients sent to us right before surgery. When they are anxious but aren't allowed to eat, drink, or take medication, they can lay on our spa bed and get a calming ASMR session to ease their nerves.
Military Trainees: We welcome many individuals visiting from Tinker Air Force Base. The training there can be incredibly intense, and they visit us to decompress and reset before heading back to their hotel rooms.
How to Prepare and the Lasting Benefits
To get the most out of your first ASMR session, I always recommend clearing your schedule afterward. Do not plan a busy afternoon. You are going to feel very heavy, drowsy, and warm following the session. Immediately after is a deep sense of calm, security, and an incredibly improved mood. We joke that we may need a designated driver to drive our guests home after their ASMR appointment. Moving into the days following your appointment, you will likely notice better mental focus and a sustained feel-good mood. Research has shown that ASMR can effectively lower your heart rate, and our clients constantly report vastly improved sleep for several days after their visit. It is a legitimate, therapeutic way to care for your mind and body.
Comments