Editor’s Comment

With consumers increasingly making choices based on the ethical and sustainability credentials of a business, it’s becoming more important for spas and salons to not only make changes but also to make those values clear in their marketing.

Finding ways to save energy and water are high on the sustainability agenda for most businesses now, and spas are undoubtedly among the biggest consumers of both. While a lot of savings are dependent on the materials and equipment chosen at build stage, there are also some simple changes that can be made in existing set-ups, many of which can also save costs in the long-run. We explore the options for both in our feature on page 114.

Client interest in all things CBD is also on the rise, and our Trend Watch piece on page 126 explores the practicalities of introducing this ingredient into your treatment menu.

Of course, the influence of consumer demand should only go so far when it comes to making changes to the ethos of a business, which, first and foremost, needs to reflect the objectives and needs of the owner and their team. Beauty therapy is an unusually intimate profession so it’s imperative that business owners have the right to protect the safety of both therapist and client.

In our Hot Topic column on page 77, waxing specialist Sam Marshall asks, when is it OK to say no to performing an intimate wax? Clearly, it’s never right to discriminate but if a client makes a therapist feel uncomfortable, or they’re unqualified to perform the treatment requested, we need to protect our rights to say no in certain circumstances.