News

Government pledges support for therapists in aesthetics

The Government has pledged to work with beauty industry representatives to move towards the development of accredited pathways for therapists working in aesthetics.

The first National Occupational Standards (NOS) for aesthetic treatments at Levels 4 and 5 have now been approved, marking a step forward in creating recognised qualiications for beauty therapists working in the ield. Habia and SkillsActive worked with industry experts and regulators nationwide to develop a suite of NOSs for Aesthetic Treatments, reviewing the standards for radiofrequency, laser and light, superficial skin peeling, microneedling, electrocautery, and micropigmentation and advanced micropigmentation.

Separately, Caroline Larissey, director of quality and standards at the National Beauty Federation (NBF), met with representatives from the Department of Health and Social Care to gain support for the development of pathways of accredited qualifications to demonstrate competence.

Larissey, who is also a trustee of the Joint Council of Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) and chair of Beauty Aesthetic Special Interest Committee (BASIC), put forward the difficulties faced by the beauty industry, including barriers put in place by the JCCP to a vocational route for injectables and fillers. The Government representatives expressed an interest to work with BASIC and the beauty sector, with the ultimate aim of developing and implementing a system of self-regulation, licensing and accreditation.

Habia intends to develop additional National Occupational Standards for Beauty Aesthetics to Levels 6 and 7 in the future.

Moisturising twice a day could prevent age-related chronic diseases

Regularly moisturising your skin could prevent the onset of age-related chronic diseases, according to a new study by researchers at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). Looking at the role of skin in chronic conditions including heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s, the team investigated whether decreasing inflammation by treating skin dysfunction (keeping it moisturised) could reverse the risk of developing these diseases. This study was triggered by other scientific research which found that the forming of small cracks in the skin that signal the release of cytokines into the blood supply had been shown to lead to systematic inflammation and disease.

While cytokines effectively help to repair cracks in younger skin, in older skin the body continually releases the inflammatory messengers because the skin is harder to heal. Once in the blood, cytokines can travel around the body and cause inflammation. 33 participants aged 58–95 had their cytokine levels measured at the start of the study, then again after 30 days. During this time, participants applied moisturiser to their bodies twice a day which included three types of lipids: cholesterol, free fatty acids and ceramides.

At the end, participants’ cytokine levels had been reduced in the blood and were also lower than in other adults in the same age bracket.

However, the team acknowledged that owing to the small sample, more research will need to be undertaken before reliable conclusions can be reached.

inbrief

// A sauna on the beach has been launched by entrepreneurs Liz Watson and Katie Bracher in Brighton. The seven-person Beach Box Spa has been converted from a horse trailer. The duo are currently building a second, larger sauna to hold 15.

// The National Beauty Federation (NBF) is warning beauty salons that they are at a high risk of being targeted by scammers, especially with four in 10 of its members unaware of invoice fraud – where criminals pretend to be your regular supplier and persuade you to update your bank account details.

// A new conference for beauty professionals will take place in London this summer. The Salon Life Beauty Convention 2019, at the ILEC Conference Centre on July 8, comes from the team behind Spa Life and will feature management education and networking opportunities.

// The global medical spa market is forecast to reach $27.5 million (£21m) by 2025, growing 12.2% per year, according to the Medical Spa Market by Service report. Demand for results-driven treatments that are medically supervised is said to be behind the growth.

// A new gin-inspired spa break has launched at Donnington Valley Hotel and Spa, Berkshire. The Spring into Gin package aims to showcase the health benefits of antioxidant-rich junipers, which can improve circulation and digestion, and includes a 55-minute botanical treatment and gin-themed afternoon tea.

Nail treatments and healing therapies see biggest growth in bookings

Nail treatments saw the biggest growth in bookings of any beauty service last year, while yoga came in as the most-booked fitness class. Treatments booking app Mindbody analysed its internal data of around 800 million bookings and found that the top 10 service bookings (based on the highest percentage of growth between 2017 and 2018) were:

1. Nails (up 2,457%)

2. Make-up, lashes and brows (up 1,538%)

3. Hair removal (+664%)

4. Tattoo/piercing (+556%)

5. Rock climbing (+396%)

6. Cryotherapy (+162%)

7. Coaching/healing (+155%)

8. Face treatments (+146%)

9. Physical therapy (+113%)

10. Water therapy (+107%)

Charlotte Newton, senior manager of EMEA marketing at Mindbody, said: “We’re clearly a nation that enjoys looking after our appearance [but] water therapy, cryotherapy, and coaching/healing are also having a moment. We’re seeing a trend in consumers seeking something more unique from the wellness market that goes beyond traditional services, highlighting the importance of establishing your USP in an everchanging, evolving market.”

Meanwhile, the top 10 fitness or wellbeing class bookings of 2018 (based on percentage of bookings in total) were:

1. Yoga (25%)

2. Barre (6%)

3. Pilates (6%)

4. Cycling (4%)

5. Bootcamp (3%)

6. Circuit training (3%)

7. Dance (2%)

8. Interval training (2%)

9. Gym classes (2%)

10. Weight training (1%)

Beauty therapists in the North taught how to spot the signs of domestic abuse

Two new training schemes that teach beauty therapists how to spot the signs of domestic abuse on clients have launched in the North of England. Cut It Out Rochdale is a councilfunded two-hour workshop that’s teaching beauty pros how to identify the signs and the correct way to refer clients for help.

“With proper training, salon professionals can become invaluable in reducing the impact of domestic abuse and ensuring victims know someone is listening”, said Jaria Hussain-lala, early help domestic abuse officer at Rochdale Council.

On completion, therapists are given a badge to act as a visual aid to open up the conversation with clients. Book your training: rochdale.gov.uk/cutitout Meanwhile, a free RealTalk workshop that aims to empower beauty therapists to help victims of domestic violence and abuse is also being held in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, on May 21, run by BACP registered counsellor Jane Thoy. You will need to register for a ticket by emailing realtalktherapy@outlook.com

inbrief

// A free glass recycling service has launched to help beauty businesses that are struggling to meet their sustainability targets due to administrative and financial burdens. The scheme is run by FreeCollections. Apply at freecollections.co.uk

// A holiday and restaurant site in Denbighshire is opening a spa this summer. White Spa will include an indoor pool, sauna, steam room, outdoor hydrotherapy pool, treatment rooms and gym, and create six new jobs. The owners of White House restaurant and Rhuallt Country Park touring site are investing £750,000 into it.

// Lycopene when taken orally can protect skin from UV damage, according to new research. Wellness company Lycored’s study showed that supplementation of a carotenoid-rich tomato nutrient complex for 12 weeks caused UV-exposed skin to appear calmer on both molecular and physiological levels.

// Lily’s Beauty Salon in Whitchurch is hosting an event on June 30 to celebrate the business’s fifth birthday. Owner Gemma Holt is inviting customers to the salon for afternoon tea and demonstrations of Comfort Zone’s new treatment Beauty Reloaded – the salon will be one of the first in the UK to offer it.

// Moddershall Oaks Country Spa Retreat has added a rasul treatment room to its indoor facilities, providing guests with a more immersive and private wellness experience. The multisensory facility features heated seats, warm rain, coloured lighting and self-applied organic mud.

Pro brands launch “real” beauty campaigns as part of body-positivity movement

Professional brands are backing the movement to promote body-positivity in the beauty industry.

Day spa chain Spa Experience by Better has launched a “Keep it Real” campaign (below), promoting its facilities using real spa clients in London between the ages of 18 and 54. The aim of the shoot was to celebrate every body type and show a group that reflects the people who use Spa Experience on a daily basis. “We want to promote mental as well as physical health and wellness, and the anxieties around body image are well documented”, said Melissa Evans, Spa Experience’s national spa and fitness class manager. “The decision to stop using professional models and to use our clients to showcase our facilities was an obvious one.”

Meanwhile, beauty brand HD Brows has also taken a stance against body-shaming with its new “Love Yourself. More” campaign (above), which features unedited photos of models to help spread self-love.

The shoot shows six people, including the brand’s lead brow stylist Jamie Long, styled with different make-up looks to “represent beauty in every form”, and none of the images have been retouched.

Neck and shoulder massage best for stress relief, shows research

A neck and shoulder massage is the most stress-reducing spa treatment, according to new research.

An interactive study by BuyaGift examined the stress levels of mum bloggers to reveal the most relaxing spa treatments for busy mums.

The study analysed mums’ stress levels by measuring heart rate variability – the variation between consecutive heart beat intervals.

A reading was taken during the most stressful moment of each blogger’s day and after their spa treatment, comparing the readings to see which treatment most improved stress rates.

The 10 most relaxing treatments were:

1. Neck and shoulder massage

2. Wash, cut and blow dry

3. Deep-tissue massage

4. Steam and sauna

5. Swedish full-body massage

6. Pedicure

7. Facial

8. Hot stone massage

9. Indian head massage

10. Manicure

inbrief

// The power of social media shows no signs of slowing down, with 81% of consumers admitting they have made a purchase following a link shared by an influencer, according to The 2019 Influencer Marketing Global Survey.

// Sweet Squared (S2) has become the official UK distributor for Sachajuan Professional Haircare, a premium Scandinavian hair brand. The products are available to purchase from the S2 website.

// Machines brand CACI has received more acclaim for its results-driven facial. The company’s Synergy Advanced Non-Surgical Facial Toning Treatment, which combines electrical microcurrents with LED light therapy, was named as the best procedure for electrical skin tightening by beauty journalist Alice Hart-Davis in the Daily Mail.

// More than three quarters of Brits (85%) still love shopping on the high street, preferring to physically buy products if they can, according to research by digital marketing agency Marketing Signals. However, nine in 10 UK shoppers will research a product online before going in store to purchase to make sure they’re getting the best deal.

// The Alchemist Spa in North Devon’s Woolacombe Bay Hotel has opened a rasul to broaden its offering. The team brought in consultancy Spa Vision to work on the project, helping to deliver an ancient Arabic bathing ritual which uses mineral-rich mud along with heat and steam.

A third of UK women feel judged for tanning

One in three UK women are being shamed for fake tanning, according to new statistics from tanning brand St Tropez.

More than half a million UK women have experienced negative comments online for wearing fake tan, with 60% saying insults and judging looks have knocked their confidence, the report found. However, 42% of the women surveyed said they won’t stop tanning because it makes them “look well” and “feel confident”.

The UK’s tanning habits were also revealed. Those living in Liverpool and the North West are the keenest tanners, with 55% and 48% of women respectively sporting a golden glow, while 73% of women in the South East admit that they never book themselves in for a tan.

Plus, more than half (55%) of women in Yorkshire get a spray tan before going on holiday, compared to only a third (35%) of those in London.

Make-up brands become more inclusive with “accessible” products

Two make-up brands are backing the movement to make beauty accessible to everyone with innovative new products. Look Fabulous Forever (LFF) is a collection of “pro-age” make-up and skincare products developed specifically for mature women by founder Tricia Cusden after she became “disillusioned with cosmetic brands who only wanted to sell her anti-ageing items”.

The brand launched in 2013 but is now coming to the professional market, seeking beauty salons and MUAs to become LFF ambassadors. Meanwhile, disability-friendly brand Grace Beauty has developed a range of mascaras with different handles for those with mobility issues. Launching later this year, the Ring Grip is a handle with a ring attached to it, “giving a more secure hold, which makes it nearly impossible to drop”, said the brand.

The Square Grip has a hexagonal shape to allow for easier opening, hold and control, while the larger bulbous shape of the Safe Grip gives better control when using it at an angle.

NEWS IN PICTURES

Lemoga – yoga with lemurs – is the latest trend at The Spa at Armathwaite Hall in Keswick. Classes are held at the hotel’s adjoining Lake District Wild Life Park, aiming to “heighten the sense of wellbeing for both lemur and human”.

Elemis names Oriele Frank UK MD, following L’Occitane deal

Former Elemis chief marketing officer Oriele Frank has been promoted to UK managing director as part of a reshuffle.

The British skincare brand has restructured its management team following its acquisition by the L’Occitane Group in January.

Frank will oversee the business in the UK market, focusing on growth, while Noella Gabriel remains president of the company but will be based in its New York headquarters, continuing to drive the brand’s expansion in the US.

Meanwhile, chief executive Sean Harrington is relocating to Asia to open Elemis’s first Hong Kong office, with the aim to build the brand’s presence across the Asia Pacific market.

“This next period will strengthen the continued growth and momentum behind our timeless brand”, said Harrington. “Together as a team, brand and family, we have an incredible opportunity for success and we are more ready for it than ever.”

Australian Bodycare and Phytomer distributor sold in MBO

Ken Lamacraft Marketing (KLM), distributor of beauty brands including Australian Bodycare and Phytomer, has undergone a management buyout by Australian Bodycare UK operations manager Fiona Peerless, and financial accountant Kevin Gambrill.

KLM distributes waxing and tea tree skincare brand Australian Bodycare in the UK, along with eyebrow make-up brand Billion Dollar Brows and French marine-inspired skincare brand Phytomer.

Both KLM and Australian Bodycare UK were formally owned by Ken and Maggie Lamacraft, who will stay on to support the new management team during the sale transition period. Fiona Peerless has worked with Australian Bodycare UK for almost 20 years, having held positions in marketing, logistics and, most recently, as operations manager.

Peerless commented: “Australian Bodycare has a solid foundation within the beauty industry which we will build on. Kevin and I believe there are significant opportunities for continued growth and expansion driven by investments in people, infrastructure and marketing.”

diarydates

// May 6–7 World Spa & Wellness Asia

Le Méridien Phuket Beach Resort, Thailand Asia edition of the World Spa & Wellness conference with networking and brand showcase. 020 7351 0536 worldspawellness.com/asia

// May 17–19 IMATS

Olympia, London Make-up show for trade with classes and exhibitors. +1 360 882 3488 imats.net

// May 19–20 Beauty UK

NEC, Birmingham Trade event for beauty with awards and forums. 01332 227680 beautyukshow.com

// May 23 Forum Hotel & Spa

The Four Seasons, Paris Conference with delegates from spa and hospitality. +33 (0)1 4240 9077 forumhotspa.com

// May 26 Superyacht Lash Conference

Sunborn Super Yacht Hotel, London UK Lash Institute event for techs with speakers. 07860 680116 lashevents.co.uk/superyacht

// June 5–8 Spatec Europe

Grand Hotel Dino in Baveno, Italy Event for spa pros with speed-dating style meetings. +356 2134 6454 spateceu.com

// July 8 Salon Life Beauty Convention 2019

ILEC Conference Centre, London New management conference for senior beauty professionals, including networking opportunities. 01268 745892 salon-life.co.uk