News

Government consultation on aesthetic procedure licences: have your say

Beauty professionals are being urged to have their say as the long-awaited Government consultation is launched into a licensing scheme in England for aesthetic procedures including injectables, laser, microneedling and others.

The full consultation document outlines a proposal to divide procedures into a red, amber and green “traffic light” system based on the risk of complication.

Many have expressed concern that a lot of treatments commonly performed by beauty therapists with advanced training – such as radiofrequency, electrolysis, and all treatments using dual-technology devices – have been classified as “amber”, meaning they would only be allowed to be performed with the oversight of a healthcare professional if the proposed classifications go ahead.

However, the online consultation document does ask for opinion on whether any of these treatments should be reclassified – which is why it is vital for beauty professionals to make their voices heard.

Under the proposed scheme, which will be operated by local authorities in England, practitioners will need to be licensed to perform specific procedures, and the premises from which they operate will also need to be licensed.

The full categorisations can be found at professionalbeauty.co.uk/consultation, where you will also find a link to the consultation form.

Check our news analysis piece on page 25 for more on what has been done so far, the next steps, and industry opinion.

NHBF releases first ever report on ethnic mix within the beauty industry

The NHBF has released a report that outlines the ethnic mix in the UK hair and beauty industry.

The report, Analysis of the Trends Within the Hair & Beauty Industry by Ethnicity Across the UK, aims to better understand trends within the industry.

Key findings from the research revealed that, despite the hair and beauty sector growing from 2,141 units in 2017 to 2,340 in 2022 in locations with a larger proportion of black, black British, Caribbean or African people in the local population, total market share among this ethnic group declined from 5% in 2017 to 4% in 2022.

Similarly, despite rising from 4,306 in 2017 to 5,471 in 2022 in Asian or Asian British postcode sectors, overall market share reduced from 11% in 2017 to 9% in 2022.

Meanwhile, predominantly white neighbourhoods saw their market share rise from 84% in 2017 to 87% in 2022 across all hair and beauty categories.

Regionally, Black/Black British/ Caribbean and African businesses were most resilient in the East Midlands, while this same group has seen the biggest

decline in the South East. Asian or Asian British units saw growth in Greater London and the South West across all time periods, and saw the biggest decline in the East of England.

A third of brits are vitamin D deficient according to new research

A third of Brits are vitamin D deficient, according to a study research review by the Health & Food Supplements Information Service (HSIS), published in The Food and Nutrition Journal.

The UK recommends a dose of 10 mcg daily to achieve a serum concentration of 25(OH)D of at least 25 nmol/litre.

However, in Europe and the US, where the target level of 25(OH)D is more than 50 nmol/litre, data suggests that 10 mcg daily of vitamin D would allow only around 50% of the UK population to achieve the European target.

HSIS GP Dr Nisa Aslam points out, “We’d need to take 25 mcg of vitamin D daily to achieve the European target level of more than 50 nmol/litre in 97.5% of the UK population.”

Closing the gap to prevent deficiency is essential to tackling nutritional rickets and osteomalacia, as well as consolidating bone mass in adulthood and reducing the risk of osteoporosis in later life.

Not getting enough vitamin D can impact the muscles, immune function, respiratory system, and susceptibility to cardiometabolic disease, type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.

Remembering Champneys co-owner Dorothy Purdew OBE 1932–2023

Dorothy Purdew OBE, founder and chair of spa group Champneys, died on September 5, aged 91.

Widely regarded as a pioneer of the UK spa industry, she evolved her spas from weight-loss-focused health farms to modern wellness destinations.

Born in London in 1932, she started her first business, WeightGuard, in 1970 with just £60 and opened her first health farm, Frimleys, eight years later.

With her late husband Bob and son Stephen Purdew, she went on to buy Henlow Grange, Springs Hydro, Forest Mere and then Champneys Tring.

The Purdew family then created the Champneys group in 2002 with all four properties, more recently adding Eastwell Manor and Mottram Hall.

Champneys said in a statement, “Dorothy could never believe a girl from a working-class background could become one of the world’s most influential spa operators.

“Champneys became her life. Even into her 90s, she would read the guest feedback every morning, eager to learn of how the business could improve. The Champneys brand is now valued at over £300 million.”

Dorothy is survived by her sons Stephen and Simon, her grandchildren James, Daisy, Robert, Raffaella and Barnaby, and her great grandchildren Charlie, Olivia and Henry.

A quarter of Brits suffer from a nail infection according to new research

Some 25% of the UK population is likely to be suffering from nail infections, according to a new report published by footcare brand Excilor.

More worryingly, only 11% are aware that they have a nail infection and 89% didn’t know that nail infections are contagious.

52% of sufferers questioned in the poll said that the pain was the worst thing about having a nail infection while 32% said they were embarrassed about it – showing that fungal nail infections can impact sufferers’ day-to-day lives.

GP and foot expert Dr Gill Jenkins said, “Fungal nail infections are notoriously hard to get rid of without treatment and they can cause pain, swelling and itchiness.

“They are often incredibly contagious, so contagious in fact, that even touching the feet, and then touching other parts of the body, can cause the fungus to spread.”

Andrew Hansford launches aesthetics training subscription service

Aesthetics trainer and practitioner Andrew Hansford has launched a subscription service that aims to provide a trusted resource for practitioners looking to set up or grow an aesthetic clinic or advanced beauty salon.

For £59 a month, website theachgroup.co.uk will give subscribers access to a broad range of clinical data and business support. For example, it includes guides on the protocols and benefits of numerous popular aesthetic procedures – alongside downloadable clinical studies – plus video demonstrations of treatments, product reviews and downloadable legal document templates such as employment contracts and non-disclosure agreements.

Hansford commented on the launch: “I wanted to give back to an industry which has been so supportive of me by putting together a repository of information that will be useful in many areas of the business we find ourselves in that can often be misleading or complex; clinical, business and personal support, from a non-biased and honest perspective. I hope you enjoy it, it is as much yours as it is mine.”

Men’s beauty horizons expand as spend surges 77%

Men are investing more in selfcare and beauty, according to new research from finance platform Clearpay.

Overall spending among men within the beauty category has increased 77% year on year, with male shoppers making up 21% of all beauty purchases this year, a rise from just 1% in 2022.

The rise comes at a time when more male celebrities are launching their own beauty and wellness brands and stepping into ambassadorships, including Harry Styles’s Pleasing, Idris Elba’s S’Able Labs, and Tom Daley being named as Rimmel London’s brand ambassador.

As more men embrace painting their nails, the nail sector has seen an impressive 103% rise from 2022.

Skincare spend increased 33%, and men also invested more in self-tanning products, with a 44% increase.

As for generational divide, Gen Z men are embracing beauty the most, with men accounting for 27% of beauty product purchases within the Gen Z age bracket.

Hayley Snishko launches course for therapists

Massage therapist Hayley Snishko is set to release a course to empower therapists in enhancing clients’ mental wellbeing.

Snishko, who also founded the Massage4MentalHealth campaign, designed the course as an exploration of subjects that are crucial in today’s therapeutic landscape, including mental health awareness, the therapeutic relationship, and massage and mental health.

Backed by psychotherapist Helen Farrell, the course is scheduled to launch in November, with more information to follow.

Snishko said, “I am committed to equipping therapists with the knowledge and skills necessary to make a meaningful difference in clients’ lives.”

Syrup nails the latest K-beauty trend to take TikTok by storm

“Syrup nails” is one of the latest K-beauty trends to blow up, accumulating 8.1 million views for the #syrupnails hashtag on TikTok.

Meanwhile, searches for the manicure increased exponentially on Google during August and September, according to research from online discount platform Wethrift.

Jelly nails have also been doing the rounds, with glassy shades becoming popular, either as a base for nail art or for a standalone Y2K aesthetic.

Head over to professionalbeauty.com/ syrupnails to learn more about this look and how to create it.

Alma Lasers signs Kate Hudson as ambassador

Alma Lasers has announced award-winning actress, entrepreneur, and influential figure in beauty and wellbeing Kate Hudson as its new global brand ambassador.

Hudson is known for her performances in films such as Almost Famousand 2022 Netflix hit Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.

Beyond her acting, she is admired for her philanthropic efforts and her authentic approach to wellness. Hudson has partnered with Alma to front its global educational campaign to look “Beyond The Trend” in aesthetics, which aims to showcase the empowerment of embracing natural beauty, while Alma commits to delivering safe, effective, and evidence-based solutions.

The campaign highlights Alma’s products, including Alma Harmony, Soprano, Opus and PrimeX, and how they have helped people with body confidence.

Harpar Grace International to distribute RevitaLash

Athena Cosmetics, parent company of RevitaLash Cosmetics, has formed a partnership with Harpar Grace International (HGI), UK distributor of skincare, beauty, and wellness brands including IS Clinical and Déesse Pro. Harpar Grace will now distribute lash growth product Revitalash in the UK. The collaboration marks an exciting new chapter for RevitaLash

Cosmetics as they aim to enhance their presence in the global market.

Revitalash Cosmetics president Lori Jacobus said, “We are excited to join forces with Harpar Grace International. Their..relationship-first aproach with best-in-class business solutions aligns with our vision of providing the very best products and services to our customers.”

RevitaLash added that the collaboration would bring new opportunities to reach consumers through an omnichannel strategy.