EDITOR'S COMMENT
Regulations in the beauty and wellness sector are changing, and a new report from the UK Spa Association highlights a major shift in how we approach inclusive treatment menus. While an encouraging 75% of therapists now feel confident delivering cancer-adapted care, nearly half (46%) were unaware that cancer is legally classified as a disability under UK law, leaving businesses open to discrimination claims. See page 7 for more on the report.
The discussion around inclusive care also highlights a more urgent conversation regarding therapist vulnerability inside the treatment room. On page 56, we tackle a persistent industry stigma, speaking to massage therapists about sexualised client comments and inappropriate behaviour. From solo therapists enforcing strict referral-only bookings to the need for safety training in colleges, we look at how salon owners can implement zero-tolerance policies and establish professional boundaries.
Safeguarding your business also means ensuring your team's advanced clinical expertise is up to date. And if you need proof that upgrading your team's technical skill set pays off, look no further than our interview with Kelly Edges, Professional Beauty Awards 2026 Therapist of the Year, on page 35. By immersing herself in advanced skin training, chemical peels and microneedling, she completely transformed her revenue and her confidence.
That consumer demand for high-efficacy, measurable results is also driving our feature on laser and light-based therapies for facial redness, rosacea and broken capillaries on page 38. Clients are hyper-informed, and investing in this category allows operators to service a growing demand while increasing treatment-room profitability.
Scaling your advanced service menu means your business operations also have to be streamlined, and our feature on page 48 explores real-world examples of how salon owners are using AI to strip out repetitive admin – from resolving client queries to speeding up a stocktake.
We hope you enjoy this issue!