Operational advice
Managing burnout
Burnout has become all too common in the beauty industry. Josie Jackson explores the signs, how salon owners can support their teams, and what self-employed therapists can do to protect their wellbeing
Long hours, physically demanding treatments and emotional labour mean stress, anxiety and poor sleep are often seen as "part of the job". However, if left unchecked, they can lead to full burnout – an increasingly common issue among beauty therapists, salon staff and self-employed professionals.
Signs of burnout
Burnout is a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. According to the NHS, it negatively affects wellbeing and can worsen over time if left unaddressed.
Burnout often builds quietly over time. Jo Irving, a salon business coach with over 25 years’ experience as a business owner, explains, “Common signs include emotional exhaustion, reduced motivation or creativity, and a sense of detachment from work that once felt meaningful.”
It can also show up as noticeable changes in behaviour or personality. “Someone who was previously calm or patient may become more emotional, reactive, short-tempered, or easily frustrated,” Irving adds. “Anger, reduced tolerance, or a lack of patience are often overlooked signs of burnout rather than character flaws.”
Burnout can also lead to physical symptoms, such as chronic fatigue, poor sleep, headaches, muscle tension, or frequent illness.
As burnout can occur gradually, it can be challenging to spot directly. Lilac Miller, director of Sleeping Beauty Salon, which has five sites in Scotland, also has a Master's in Management and Economics. She explains, “Sometimes you might notice burnout in employees indirectly at first; for example, more issues developing with the team or standards slipping on treatments or customer service.”
Supporting staff
When it comes to supporting salon staff, Miller believes that consistency is key. “Regular one-to-one check-ins create a safe, private space for people to speak honestly, especially about things they might not want to share in a group,” she says. “During these one-to-ones we specifically ask the team member if they feel they are being supported or have anything they want to discuss with their manager.
“Alongside that, we recently introduced group wellness sessions every quarter to normalise conversations around stress, mental health, and physical strain, so no one feels alone.”
To further develop this sense of togetherness, Miller adds that daily huddles also play a role, sharing, “They’re a quick way to take the temperature of the team and notice if someone seems off, even if they don’t explicitly say so.”
When it comes to regular check-ins, Irving advises other managers to listen without immediately trying to fix or minimise what’s being shared. “Often, being heard and understood is the first step in preventing burnout,” she explains.
If you’re unsure where to start, Irving suggests asking open questions, for example:
• How are you really feeling at work right now?
• What feels heavy or draining for you at the moment?
• What support would make the biggest difference?
The role of salon culture
Salon culture plays a defining role in whether burnout is prevented or allowed to take hold. As Miller explains, “A supportive, communicative culture where people feel valued can be incredibly protective against burnout. When teams feel appreciated and connected, they’re more resilient.” In contrast, environments that don’t promote rest or vulnerability can push people to suffer in silence.
Irving agrees, noting that when people don’t feel psychologically safe, they hold back. “They stop sharing how they’re really feeling and they stop contributing ideas. Over time, this leads directly to burnout.” As such, Irving believes that creating a safe working environment is a key responsibility of managers, leaders, and business owners.
“When teams feel appreciated and connected, they’re more resilient”
Self-employed therapists and burnout
With self-employed therapists often wearing multiple “hats” – managing bookings, producing content for social media, tracking finances – it’s not surprising that they too can suffer from burnout.
Hanna Webb, a self-employed waxing specialist and owner of HW Waxing in Bridgwater, recalls, “I knew that I was in the depths of burnout myself when it started to affect my life outside of work. I felt both physically and mentally drained and had lost my drive to do anything other than slump on the sofa.”
One way that Webb addressed this issue was by setting clear boundaries. “As beauty providers, we are naturally nurturing and caring by nature, so saying no to clients can feel like we are going against our DNA. But if your business closes at 5pm, it needs to close at 5pm. Setting hours that work for you, your lifestyle, and potentially even your health, will allow you to continue showing up to your business at 100%.”
Other boundaries Webb suggests for self-employed beauty therapists include:
• Scheduling in your lunch break
• Only accepting online appointment bookings rather than via email, text etc
• Replying to messages within your working hours only.
The impact on revenue
Miller asserts that therapist burnout can affect multiple aspects of the business. “Staff who are exhausted or emotionally drained are more likely to leave, which increases turnover and recruitment costs,” she explains.
“Clients can sense when energy is low, and their service may feel rushed or below the normal standard, which impacts loyalty and rebooking. Over time, this directly affects revenue. Investing in staff wellbeing isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s essential for long-term business sustainability and growth.” Burnout in the beauty industry isn’t a personal failing – it’s a structural issue that requires awareness, support and boundaries.
Whether you’re a salon owner managing a team or a self-employed therapist juggling every aspect of your business, prioritising wellbeing is essential not only for mental health, but for long-term business success.