Zen Spa — Local services in San Francisco

I had high expectations for this spa based on its five-star reviews, but unfortunately, my experience fell short. While the spa itself appeared clean and well-decorated, the Deluxe Head Spa service did not justify its $150 price tag (plus tip).

Typically, head spa services begin with a thorough scalp analysis, where the esthetician examines multiple areas of the scalp using a camera and provides expert insights. However, Cindy only took a single photo of my scalp and did not take the time to explain her observations or the treatment plan in detail.

After showing me the image, she had me lie down and gave a brief neck massage lasting approximately 5-10 minutes before beginning the shampoo process. Unfortunately, each time she turned my head to the left, my cartilage earring hit the side of the sink, causing discomfort. She eventually noticed and used her hand to shield my ear, but it was an issue that could have been avoided with greater attention to detail.

Additionally, the water drained from the sink into a container beside my head, producing loud, disruptive noises that detracted from the relaxation aspect of the service. There were also moments where I was left waiting, unsure if she was preparing the steamer or another step in the treatment, but the experience felt lacking—there were missed opportunities for additional massaging or stimulation.

The Water Circulation Rack, which is typically meant to move up and down for even distribution, remained stationary on one part of my head for about 10 minutes. At the conclusion of the treatment, Cindy took another single photo of my scalp and stated it looked cleaner but did not provide any further insights.

She then directed me to a chair for blow-drying. After approximately 5-10 minutes, she asked if my hair felt dry enough—something that, in my opinion, should not require a customer’s input. For a $150 service, I did not expect to leave with damp hair. Additionally, she did not ask how I preferred my hair to be parted and didn’t brush it through. When she left the room, I took it upon myself to fix my part and brush out the remaining tangles. As I was doing so, she re-entered the room without knocking.

While my hair did feel smooth and my scalp clean afterward, the overall experience did not meet expectations. Cindy did not seem fully proficient in the service, and it lacked the level of expertise and relaxation I have experienced at other head spas in Southern California. In comparison, other locations offer more thorough, 90-minute treatments—including detailed scalp analyses, videos documenting progress throughout, and a more comprehensive and relaxing experience—for the same price. Unfortunately, I will not...

My friends and I had our first experience at Zen Spa over the weekend and we all had a great time!

One friend got the deluxe head spa with scalp care service and she said it was so relaxing she fell asleep and stopped worrying about her kids for once! She loved the scalp massage and her hair dried with her natural waves looking so beachy and soft.

2 of us got 90 minute Swedish massages and both enjoyed them! I’m a former massage therapist so I’m a bit particular about my massages and I felt great during and after the massage. I’ve had a lot of tension in my neck/shoulders lately and felt it all melting away. And such competitive pricing compared to the rest of the city.

Highly recommend and want to go...

I’m new to spa treatments & am so glad to have experienced this “first” at Zen Spa today. The entire staff were friendly and welcoming as soon as we walked through the doors. I was booked for the head spa + facial, and it was everything I could have wanted! My esthetician was knowledgeable and gentle, careful to create a calming environment for the full 90 minutes. After the initial scalp analysis, scalp cleansing + massage, shoulder + neck massage, relaxing facial, and final scalp image reveal, I honestly felt like a new person. I highly recommend this place and will...