13 mins
NEWS
Global interest in alternative healing and therapies surges by 837%
Global interest in alternative healing has skyrocketed, with a new analysis revealing an 837% increase in search volume since 2016.
From yoga and Pilates to acupuncture and chiropractic care, more people than ever are tuning in to complementary therapies.
According to research by Healthnews, searches for 35 key alternative therapies jumped from 7.09m in 2016 to 66.41m in 2024.
While the number of global internet users increased by 70% during this period, the growth in interest for alternative wellness has significantly outpaced digital expansion.
Yoga remains the most searched alternative therapy worldwide, with Google queries rising from 3.2m in 2016 to 30m in 2024.
Pilates, while starting from a smaller base, saw a 942% surge, growing from 960,000 to 10m searches per month.
Other therapies seeing significant growth include meditation, up 823%, and acupuncture, which increased by 569%. Ayurveda has also broken into the top 10 most popular healing modalities for the first time.
Shifts in popularity have also occurred, with Thai massage climbing from 11th place in 2016 to 7th in 2024, while herbal medicine dropped from 14th to 26th.
In the US, interest in alternative healing rose by 694%, with acupressure seeing a 1,300% increase in searches.
Experts suggest the rise is driven by a growing focus on holistic health, dissatisfaction with conventional medicine and increasing preference for proactive wellbeing.
Professional Beauty Group launches video to inspire young people to pursue a career in beauty or hair
Professional Beauty Group has created a video to inspire young people to choose a career in the beauty or hair industry.
The beauty industry recruitment video shows where a career in beauty or hair can take you.
We spoke to some amazing people, all with different careers and experiences in the hair and beauty industry. But one thing they all have in common? They love being part of such an amazing industry that gives them great job satisfaction, allows them to travel the world, give back to clients, work in varied places and gain new experiences.
Inspirational professionals including spa leader Kay Pennington, award-winning nail tech Lucy Price, spa manager Tendai Mundumbwila and salon owner Lola Dansu shared their experiences.
The video campaign, targeted at schools and colleges, will be used to promote careers in the beauty industry, from salon owners and skin specialists to trainers, session nail and makeup
artists and business coaches, showcasing the wide variety of roles in the sector.
Watch it at professionalbeauty.co.uk/careersvideo
News in brief
Riverhills Health Club and Day Spa in Ipswich is collaborating with gardener and presenter Ade Sellars, to design a spa garden as part of its day spa redevelopment, set to launch this spring. Highlights will include a water feature focal point and a reflection zone, reflecting Riverhills’s ethos of creating spaces that foster health and relaxation.
On March 4, skincare brand Repêchage will be hosting a Day of Empowerment at Lincoln Plaza Hotel in London. The agenda will cover the importance of wellness and science, success at every level, the art of recommendation and a facial treatment demonstration.
Spa recruitment agency Spa Elite has launched the Spa Elite Temp App and Portal, which offers flexibility when booking temporary therapist cover. The app can create temp shifts, send instant job alerts to Spa Elite therapists in real-time and manage temp bookings.
Nail salon Nails by Danielle has opened on Broad Street in Newton. Nail tech and owner Danielle Rimmer started her nail business as a hobby in 2023 with one client a week. The new salon also has a beauty section at the back for brow waxing, tinting, facials and pedicures.
Victoria Hargrave, founder and chief executive of The Tanning Room Group, has been awarded the Entrepreneurial Businesswoman: Consumer and Retail accolade at the Great British Businesswoman Awards. Held at Leonardo Royal London St Paul’s, the event recognised and celebrated the achievements of leading women in business across the UK.
Aura Indigo and Cherry Red among Pinterest’s five trending colours to watch
Pinterest has unveiled its 2025 Pinterest Palette, a curated selection of five trend-driven colours set to shape beauty, fashion and design.
The palette – Cherry Red, Butter Yellow, Aura Indigo, Dill Green, and Alpine Oat – reflects emerging cultural and aesthetic shifts, aligning with broader trends like Pantone’s Colour of the Year, Mocha Mousse.
“The Pinterest Palette is inspired entirely by pinners – what they’re searching, saving and shopping for on our platform,” said Xanthe Wells, vice president of global creative at Pinterest.
Cherry Red, a bold and vibrant shade, draws influence from the Cherry Coded trend, with searches for “cherry vibe” up 325%.
Butter Yellow embodies warmth and playfulness, while Aura Indigo offers a mystical, ethereal touch.
Dill Green brings a tangy freshness, trending in manicures and interiors, and Alpine Oat serves as a cozy neutral, perfect for natural textures.
With colour playing a crucial role in creative industries, Pinterest’s trendspotting helps professionals to stay ahead.
Shades like Cherry Red and Butter Yellow are already making an impact in beauty and fashion.
Biohacking and treatment stacking among top 10 aesthetic trends
Cosmetic insurance provider Hamilton Fraser has unveiled its top aesthetic trends for 2025 report, highlighting the developments shaping the future of aesthetics. They include:
1. Longevity and biohacking: Tools like epigenetic testing and hormone profiling are increasingly providing insights into individualised treatments.
2. The rise of regenerative aesthetics: Polynucleotides, bio-stimulating fillers, and exosomes are driving natural, long-term rejuvenation.
3. "Less is more" – The end of overfilled faces: Patients are increasingly moving towards subtle, natural “tweakments”.
4. Combination treatments and "treatment stacking": The global combination therapy aesthetics market is forecasted to reach $8.03 billion (£6.46bn) by the end of 2034.
5. Advancements in personalisation: From diagnostic testing and AI-powered skin analysis to personalised skincare and hormone therapies.
6. Weight-loss repair: Clinics are developing complementary treatments to address skin laxity and facial ageing caused by rapid weight loss.
7. A push towards regulation: Increased regulation and the legitimisation of aesthetic procedures as medical treatments are transforming patient safety.
8. Advances in botulinum toxin: Innovations including longer-lasting formulations and AI-guided injection techniques, are enhancing precision and results.
9. Hair-loss treatments: Regenerative treatments like PRP, exosomes, and stem cell therapies for hair loss are gaining traction.
10. Women’s health and menopause: Addressing the impact of hormones and menopause on women’s overall health (and skin) will continue to rise.
News in brief
In London’s Mayfair district, hotel and wellness location Montcalm Mayfair will be re-opening after a renovation in spring 2025, designed by architectural and interior-designer, Jean-Michel Gathy. The extensive refurbishment has covered the hotel’s 150 rooms and suites, restaurant and wellness space.
Skincare brand Swissline has acquired Labo Spa in Zurich. The 500sqm day spa consists of a boutique, nine treatment rooms, a hyperbaric chamber and relaxation areas. Alongside the acquisition, Swissline will be relocating its corporate headquarters from nearby Zollikon to the office space above Labo Spa.
Beauty business coach Katie Godfrey has written a book, which will launch on April 14. It aims to provide clear, practical guidance, no-nonsense strategies, mindset shifts and the blueprint that helped her turn her struggles into a successful brand.
Foot care brand Footlogix has been officially endorsed by the Institute of Podiatrists. The endorsement follows the successful completion of an evaluation involving a team of clinical podiatrists and foot health experts who assessed the products against criteria including quality, compliance, technical materials, evidence-based research and client satisfaction.
Lucknam Park hotel and spa has appointed Tania Drouot as its new spa and wellness manager. In her new role, a key focus for Drouot will be creating innovative wellness experiences and spa treatments, while developing the guest journey to help boost growth at The Spa at Lucknam Park.
58% of Brits say wellbeing trends didn’t work out for them
A new study has revealed that while 75% of UK adults want to try a wellness trend in 2025, 58% have had negative experiences with past trends.
Conducted by hot tub manufacturer Platinum Spas, the research explores how Brits choose their wellbeing routines and why some struggle to maintain them.
Social media plays a major role in trend adoption, with TikTok, Instagram and YouTube among the top sources of inspiration.
The study found that the UK’s most popular wellbeing trends in 2024 included hot and cold water therapy, hormone health awareness and magnesium supplements.
While some, like digital detoxing and Sunday reset routines, proved sustainable, others – such as the 5-9before 9-5routine and the 75 Hard programme – were abandoned quickly.
Beyond trends, many Brits are making lasting lifestyle changes, from exercising regularly to reducing screen time.
Phorest Salon Owner Summit focused on AI, client retention and resilience
The Phorest 2025 Salon Owner Summit was held at the Royal Convention Centre in Dublin, Ireland, on January 26-27, 2025.
With over 650 attendees, the Summit marked its largest turnout to date, and featured a line-up of speaker who shared insights on trends, marketing, personal development, business growth and more.
The theme for 2025 was Elevate and the two-day programme included Ronan Harrington, a resilience expert, who discussed cultivating highperformance salons while preventing burnout.
Consumer behaviour expert Ken Hughes explored how customer experience drives brand success.
Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE, a social entrepreneur and computer scientist, spoke on embracing AI for empowerment, wellbeing and inclusivity.
The founder of Ground Wellbeing, Peigin Crowley, shared strategies for managing burnout and highlighted a healthy work-life balance as being key for sustainable growth.
Kati Whitledge of marketing brand Mya highlighted how marketing is key to attracting and retaining clients, comparing it to a romantic relationship, focusing on communication, connection and understanding.
Salon owners also had insights from Phorest and previewed features that will be rolled out in 2025 to help elevate their business.
Guests enjoyed networking events, including Bingo Loco, a walking tour of Dublin, and drinks on the Summit’s closing night.
News in brief
Health resort Champneys is marking its centenary this year with a “100 Years Young” campaign of experiences and offers throughout the year, including centenary signature treatments and a renewal of community dining experience The Champneys Table.
Nail brand Famous Names has moved its manufacturing in-house, enabling the brand to reduce costs while maintaining quality. These savings are now being passed directly to beauty professionals through the new Releaf Pricing initiative, offering discounts of up to 55% across its premium product range
Lucy Goff, founder of wellness technology brand Lyma, has been recognised on the first-ever Forbes 50 Over 50 global list. The list honours visionary women over the age of 50, from 32 countries, who are breaking barriers, driving innovation and redefining success to make a lasting impact on the world.
Independent skin health accreditation authority Skin Health Alliance has partnered with social commerce skincare app Clear to integrate Skin Health Alliance’s accreditation into the platform. This will enable users to easily identify products that meet high standards of skin safety and efficacy.
Budock Vean Hotel and Golf Course in West Cornwall has appointed Darryl Reburn as its new general manager. Reburn has already unveiled a new spa partnership with Gaia Skincare and an inclusive dog-friendly policy for all bedroom accommodation (excluding suites), cottages and holiday homes.
10 international wellness trends set to impact spas
The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) has released its 2025 Future of Wellness Trends report, highlighting 10 developments set to influence the US$6.3tn (£5.06tn) global wellness industry:
1. Analogue wellness: A movement towards device-free experiences that foster human connection.
2. Sauna reimagined: Saunas are evolving into dynamic communal spaces, with unique designs and rituals like Aufguss enhancing their appeal.
3. The supplement paradox: While the supplement market grows, consumer scepticism rises, leading to demand for scientifically validated products.
4. Teen wellness: With teen mental health crises rising, the wellness industry is prioritising accessible solutions, from off-grid sanctuaries to resilience initiatives.
5. Watershed wellness: Solutions emerging to address water scarcity include water-efficient spa designs and treatments that promote conservation.
6. Augmented biology: Advances in health tech, AI and genetic engineering are enhancing cognition, mobility and longevity. Think wearable robotics, brain-computer interfaces and personalised medicine.
7. Longevity redefines work: With the 65-plus-aged workforce growing, companies are adapting with flexible schedules and initiatives to support longevity and productivity.
8. Wellness tackles addiction: Wellness is expanding into addiction recovery, integrating holistic treatments, harm-reduction products, med-tech innovations and psychedelic treatments.
9. Wellness on the line: Cruises and train travel are booming as travellers seek slower, wellness-focused journeys with spa treatments and immersive local traditions. Trends like “astrotourism and “calmcations” are growing.
10. The Middle East’s wellness ambitions: Investments in spas, wellness resorts and health initiatives reflect the region’s commitment to wellbeing.
For more spa-specific wellness trends, check out our feature on page 65.
Complaints against beauty ads almost double in five years
Complaints about health and beauty adverts have almost doubled in five years, with a 96% rise since 2019.
Between 2019 and 2023, the industry received 25,740 complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority, representing 14% of the total number submitted across all sectors.
The number of complaints nearly doubled over the five-year period, increasing by 96% from 3,779 in 2019 to 7,415 in 2023, according to analysis by law firm Shakespeare Martineau. A year-on-year comparison shows a 55% spike between 2022 and 2023 alone.
Selina Hinchliffe, commercial and intellectual property partner at Shakespeare Martineau, said, “Misleading claims are the most common pitfalls and brands should ensure every statement can be substantiated before publication.
“Equally important is staying attuned to evolving standards around greenwashing, where claims about environmental impact must be backed by documented and credible evidence.”
Diary dates
// March 2 Professional Beauty and World Spa & Wellness Awards 2025 The Brewery London Celebrating the top UK salons, spas, clinics, teams and individuals. 020 7351 0536 professionalbeauty.co.uk/awards
// March 2–3 Professional Beauty London 2025 ExCeL London PB London is back with stellar education, competitions, networking and the industry’s biggest brands. 0344 443 4411 professionalbeauty.co.uk/london
// March 2–3 World Spa & Wellness Convention ExCeL London Global networking event for independent and group-run spas, hotels and wellness professionals taking place alongside PB London. 0344 443 4411 professionalbeauty.co.uk/london
// March 14-15 Aesthetics Conference and Exhibition (ACE)
Business Design Centre, London Trade show featuring education and aesthetics suppliers. 020 3096 1228 aestheticsconference.com
//March 21-23 Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna BolognaFiere exhibition centre, Bologna Trade fair for beauty with a UK pavilion. +39 041 2719009 cosmoprof.com
// March 28–30 Beauty Düsseldorf Messe Düsseldorf Trade fair for beauty, nails and spa. +49 211 4560 7602 beauty-duesseldorf.com
Vagaro acquires Schedulicity scheduling software
Beauty, wellness and fitness software brand Vagaro has acquired Schedulicity, a scheduling software for businesses across beauty and wellness industries.
Vagaro will continue the support Schedulicity business users while providing a customised onboarding process, giving access to business tools and 24/7 support.
Schedulicity founder and chief executive Jerry Nettuno said, “My purpose in launching Schedulicity was to create the ideal platform for businesses to thrive. I couldn’t be more pleased that they can now experience the extensive tools and support that Vagaro provides.”
Vagaro founder and chief executive Fred Helou added, “This strategic move strengthens our dedication to equipping industry service providers and business owners with simple-to-use technology that empowers them to thrive.
“We want to assure all incoming users of a seamless transition. We look forward to creating new, innovative solutions based directly off your feedback.”
111Skin receives investment from Skky Partners
Skincare brand 111Skin has received a significant minority investment from Skky Partners, the consumerfocused private equity firm co-founded by Jay Sammons and Kim Kardashian.
With Skky’s support, 111Skin aims to strengthen its direct-to-consumer business while expanding its customer base in key markets, including North America and Asia
Co-founders Eva and Dr Yannis Alexandrides will retain majority ownership and continue to lead the company, along with chief executive Vanessa Goddevrind and the rest of the 111Skin management team.
“We are excited to join forces with visionary partners that will help us write the future success story of our brand.” said Dr Alexandrides.
Goddevrind added, “The Skky Partners team has tremendous experience working with distinctive, growth-oriented brands.”
Aqua Natural launches sustainable sugaring course
Sugaring brand Aqua Natural, founded by Rosie Khandwala, has launched a sustainable brand training course to support the British Beauty Council’s new Planet Positive Beauty Clean Up initiative.
The Habia-approved Strip Sugar Course uses strip sugar wax as an alternative to synthetic waxes.
The course covers theory and practical skills, alongside information about sugar wax’s natural benefits.
Strip sugar wax is a natural alternative to chemically formulated waxes, is petrochemical and resin free, helping beauty professionals to reduce their environmental impact and providing clients a gentle treatment.