EDITOR’S COMMENT

It was positive this month to see the challenges faced by the beauty industry discussed in a parliamentary debate (see page 11). While no promises were made for immediate support, the Government did at least acknowledge the pressures many are facing and indicate plans for both measures to help small businesses and a long-awaited response to the previous government’s consultation regarding regulation.

Part of the debate surrounded the vital role of the beauty industry in providing careers for women, particularly those who need to fit work around family. In reality, the value of the industry in allowing people, predominantly women, to become financially independent, is often underestimated.

Training in beauty has helped women around the world to escape difficult circumstances by finding work that supports their needs, and this month we hear about a project that is amplifying that; a charitable initiative that provides free, accredited beauty education to women from disadvantaged backgrounds. Read more about it on page 67.

The power of the beauty industry can be lifechanging, not only for therapists entering it but also for the clients they treat. We all know there are many conditions for which people seek help from beauty professionals after struggling for years to find medical solutions. One of these is lipoedema and our in-depth look at the condition on page 62 discusses the impact beauty therapists can make for lipoedema sufferers by providing non-surgical treatments, advice and even referral for diagnosis.

Meanwhile, in our Q&A on page 80, we meet an electrologist who trained in the treatment after her own difficult journey with PCOS and managing the hair growth that it caused.

We hope you find something in these pages to support your business and your clients. Send us your feedback to pb.editorial@thepbgroup.com

Editor