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Salon Ishi takes hair care beyond the standard cut and color, with advanced treatments designed to heal and protect damaged locks. The slick, sophisticated space, done up in halogen lights, orchids, and acoustic panels that absorb sound, bustles with clients, many of whom swear by Ishi’s renowned hair-straightening procedure, which lasts for six months. The street-level salon has a second floor with additional style stations, as well as small private areas where clients enjoy signature Shiatsu head, neck, and shoulder massages with shampoos. (Shiatsu manicures and pedicures are also on the menu.) Since opening the space in 1992, pony-tailed owner Ishi has been importing the best Japanese treatments, as well as ionic blow driers and a salon-wide water purification system designed to remove chemicals. Clients fill out a questionnaire before one of fifteen stylists suggests a cut or a procedure; the latter could be the Water Treatment, during which the level of moisture in hair cells is measured and balanced, or the Intensive Keratin Treatment, in which keratin, protein, elastine, and collagen are applied to hair to eliminate frizziness. Many Japanese products are exclusive to the salon, including the Seeds Tea Clay Hairpack by Armino, which unclogs the scalp to control dryness and oil, and Collabo’s Thia conditioner, a rich protein treatment. — Chrissy Perisco

Packages of four are offered for many treatments, including the Protein Treatment, Water Treatment, Intensive Keratin Treatment, Ionic Treatment, and Straight Treatment (for in between straightening).

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