Editor’s Comment

The news this month that the value of the global beauty, personal care and anti-ageing market has rocketed to £829 billion (see page 13) will be welcomed by the industry. However, while an increase in consumer demand for treatments is undoubtedly a positive thing, the resulting rise in competition is having a knock-on effect in terms of salon price wars and therapist recruitment struggles.

To retain both customers and skilled therapists, many salons have diversified, introducing aesthetic treatments that offer both higher profit margins and a point of difference from local competitors.

However, recent changes in the market could make it harder to branch out into this lucrative area. While responsible practitioners are in agreement that regulation is needed, there is on going dispute between those with skin in the game about how that should work, and some are calling on therapists to make their voices heard now or risk being squeezed out of the market. Our news analysis on page 47 explores the outlook for therapists offering advanced treatments.

This month, we also meet some inspirational women who are successfully bridging the divide. In our interview with the director of The rapie Clinics on page 65, we find out how an understanding of the key trends in aesthetics is fuelling exponential international growth for the group. Meanwhile, our profile on successful skin clinic The Face offers up a prime example of medics and therapists working together to offer a full range of advanced procedures to treat the skin in a holistic way. See page 86 for the full story. “Traditional” skincare formulations are also set to get more advanced this year. So, don’t miss our feature on page 82, which explores the new textures and delivery systems set to shake up the market.