Japanese Culture in New York - Chopsticks NY

Beauty & Health

Salon Vijin in the concourse level of Rockefeller Plaza is probably the only beauty salon in the world that has completely dedicated itself to negative ion concept using negative ion water, products, and treatments. All the water, including drinking water, as well as the air purifier, hair products and professional tools such as hair dryers are ionic at this salon. But for most of you that’s reading this, you may know the term “negative ion” from chemistry classes way back when, while only a big question mark pops in your head at best. To briefly explain, negative ion water, or ionized water are smaller water molecules, roughly 1/1000 the size of a regular water molecule, that are negatively charged. The reason these particles are thought to be good for the body is that negative ions can neutralize the oxidation that occurs in the body as the body produces energy. Some believe that oxidation of the body is directly linked to various diseases. However, because of the sheer size of these negative ions, these molecules can reach deep within the body and neutralize as well as hydrate the body and hair from the core.

I must say I was wary of this concept at first. I had encountered a number of people who had sworn by negative ions in the past, but frankly, it never sparked my interest, that is, until I recently experienced it myself. The experience I had at Salon Vijin changed my perspective altogether. So how did Salon Vijin come about using negative ions anyway? It all started when the salon owner, Mr. Minoru Minamida started experiencing health problems several years ago. In his case, it was unexplainable fatigue to an extent he had trouble standing on his feet. First he started from drinking ionized water, 3 liters of it a day! After about a month, he realized he was not experiencing the fatigue anymore. This started his personal journey towards healthy living with negative ions. As Minoru explained this to me, he allowed me to try this ionized drinking water for myself. To my surprise, the water had no coarseness whatsoever, and felt as though it was seeping directly into my cells like water getting absorbed by soil. But then came the real treat, the negative ion hair treatment.

First my hair was rinsed with negative ion water that came out of a showerhead called CERA, a specialized showerhead that contains two types of ceramic balls that releases Far-Infrared Rays, breaking up the water molecules to create the negative ions. Then a small amount of ionic lotion was put in my hair, which was then wrapped up into a bundle, and placed in ionic steamer that filled up like a balloon as steam with more ionic particles filled it. After my hair was rinsed, the affect was immediately noticeable. Not only was my hair softer, it had a completely different glow to it. What was most surprising was that my naturally curly hair which usually takes hours of blow drying to straighten became completely straight after a few minutes of blow drying, and the ionic blow dryer delivered heat to the hair shaft to restore moisture balance and seal the cuticles. It made it soft, smooth, radiant, and bouncy.

Needless to say, after this, I was hooked. I took home the CERA showerhead for a trial as Salon Vijin is currently offering customers to try it out for a week. Minoru says, out of more than 100 that have gone home with customers so far, none has come back. They have all been bought, in some instances the next day, and I can understand why. Since using the showerhead, I have noticed that my skin is a lot softer, almost to the point where I do not need any body lotion. I have even tried it on my cat that had dandruff I just could not get rid of. But after one shower with CERA, Voila! Fluffy coat, and no more dandruff. Amazing!! After all, our pets deserve what’s good for them, too. The only problem is… I just might have to shlep out the $250 to keep the CERA showerhead, and that cute little dress I was eyeing will have to wait! (Not bad price for an everlasting product, though)

Reported by Maya Robinson

Salon Vijin
10 Rockefeller Plaza, Concourse level, New York, NY 10020
TEL: 212-664-0664 / www.salonvijin.com

The ceramic balls in this showerhead are resistant to rust. Unlike other ionic water showerheads there is no need of replacing the insides every few months, saving you several hundred dollars a year. The see-through body available in three colors can also add a modern touch to your bathroom decor. The shower head has 3 modes: mist, massage, and spray.
*Salon Vijin offers one-week free trial of CERA shower head. Call for details. Easy Installation DIY, shower, holder and hose included.

My normally curly hair just after a few strokes with the ionic blow dryer and comb. Notice the sheen!