The easiest type of wellness trip is to get a haircut on vacation

Queen's Hair, an unassuming hair salon, blended seamlessly into the charming streets of Turin, Italy, its low-key facade giving no hint of the vibrant environment that awaited inside.

Stepping inside, I was immediately greeted by a petite, cheerful woman with shiny purple hair who showed me to a place to curl and trim. With each stroke of the scissors, it became clear that this visit would not be just a fleeting beauty treatment, but a discussion about the rich history of Italian fashion and new knowledge about how not to be afraid to experiment with your own style," shares her impressions Pooja Shah, author of the article on Thrillist.

It turns out that visiting a hairdresser or getting a haircut while traveling is part of many travelers' itinerary, and there are several reasons for this. At the more obvious end of the spectrum is the aesthetic aspect of wanting to feel attractive while traveling, and often for a relatively inexpensive price.

Italian-American Kat Lapelosa makes appointments for moisturizing treatments when she's abroad to cure dry scalp and hair after a day of traveling.

"I hate the condition of my hair and scalp after flights, even short ones. I've booked hair treatments in Mexico, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Greece, Cyprus, France, Serbia, Japan, Thailand, and on some Caribbean cruises," she says. "It also helps me get in the mood for a vacation knowing that I look as good as I'm going to feel while traveling."

In addition, the price is a huge motivator for foreign visitors. For Hena Velez, during a recent trip to the Philippines, hair treatments cost half the price of those in the United States.

"I have naturally wavy, fine, and curly hair, so I wanted to get a J-curl restoration procedure along with a haircut. Even though I was in a very high-end spa in Manila, Philippines, the experience was better than in the States and more affordable. I spent about $150 versus $500."

Along with the benefits of getting your hair treated abroad, there is a therapeutic element that is undeniable given the intimate nature of the service itself. Unlike many other tourist activities, getting your hair done requires you to sit still for an extended period of time, creating an opportunity for conversation and interaction with your stylist or hairdresser. This personal interaction provides a glimpse into cultural norms and preferences that broaden our understanding of global diversity in a way that is accessible to the passing traveler. In a sense, our stylists and hairdressers act as temporary therapists - and that can be a pleasure.

Travel Wise wrote about the 2024 pioneers in wellness travel.