Editor's Comment

There’s currently a lot of focus on how to futureproof beauty businesses by attracting gen Z and even gen alpha clients – and rightly so. But while these young make-up and skincare-savvy consumers represent the future of our industry, it’s vital to remember that it’s still the 55-plus market that is the most engaged – with both men and women in the “boomer” generation spending more time on beauty treatments and homecare than any other age group, according to new data (see page 11).

With margins squeezed, it’s never been more important to identify and nurture those client groups that continually bring money into your business and shift focus on to them, even if that means running the risk of losing some of those who don’t. As Hellen Ward points out in her column on page 33, sometimes it’s the “nice to have” extras that have to be sacrificed in order to protect the services – and the people – that actually make your business grow.

As we all emerge from a hectic festive season with health and self-care on our minds, taking care of our teams is also high priority, and this month we find out how 2023’s PB Employer of the Year Rockliffe Hall does that in our interview with spa director Ashley Ashton on page 80.

Plus, we take a closer look at the treatments clients are prioritising as part of their New Year’s resolutions. With body care set to trend in 2024 (see page 11), we explore the growing popularity of skin rejuvenation from the neck down and, in particular, how light-based treatments are helping clients achieve their skin goals (see page 48).

Meanwhile, our focus on the gut-skin axis (see page 58) investigates the link between gut health and skin health, and for those looking to take the “eat yourself well” concept even further, we meet the owners of two wellness retreats that incorporate the ingestion of psychedelics, alongside meditation, yoga and coaching, to help clients effect change in their lives. Find out how it works on page 64.