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From regulatory change to data that shows the community value of salons, here’s what’s shaping the industry now

High-risk aesthetic procedures set to be restricted under Government’s new draft rules

High-risk non-surgical aesthetic treatments, including deep chemical peels, PRP, dermal micro-coring and certain laser treatments, are set to be restricted exclusively to regulated healthcare professionals if newly published UK government draft regulations get the go-ahead.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has launched a 12-week public consultation on draft statutory rules governing high-risk cosmetic treatments in England.

Under the proposals, procedures carrying significant risks would be limited to doctors, dentists and qualified nurse, midwife and pharmacist prescribers.

In addition, liquid Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBLs) and dermal fillers injected outside the face would be reclassified as cosmetic surgery, restricting them strictly to medical doctors.

The draft rules also introduce criminal offences for treating under-18s and require clinics offering high-risk treatments to register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), with non-compliance risking fines of up to £4,000 or unlimited criminal penalties.

The announcement also reiterated the DHSC's commitment to introducing a licensing scheme for lower-risk aesthetic treatments.

Health Minister Karin Smyth said, "These changes mean that only properly trained professionals can carry out the most serious, high-risk procedures, and that young people will be shielded from treatments that can go badly wrong."

Victoria Brownlie, chief policy and sustainability officer at the British Beauty Council, said, "A lack of regulation in what has become a booming market has [been] placing members of the public at serious risk."

Babtac chair Lesley Blair welcomed the announcement but added, “It is also essential that responsible beauty professionals are recognised and supported, with clear distinctions between beauty treatments and medical procedures.”

The consultation runs until January 13, 2027, ahead of parliamentary consideration planned for spring 2027.

Beauty appointments drive high-street spending and tackle loneliness

Half of visits to beauty and hair appointments on UK high streets generate additional spending at neighbouring businesses, according to new research from the British Beauty Council (BBCo).

The report, The Impact of Beauty: Revealing Its Social, Cultural, and Economic Value, also found that 86% of consumers attending high-street appointments said their treatment was the main reason for visiting the area.

Compiled by Oxford Economics and supported by L’Oréal Groupe, the research also highlights the industry's social impact.

Among frequent salon-goers, 44% reported having meaningful conversations with beauty professionals, while one in five said appointments were among their few opportunities for weekly social interaction.

The report also found that 75% of frequent users felt personal care positively impacted their self-esteem, while 52% reported improved mood.

BBCo chief executive Millie Kendall said, “Beauty is about how people feel, how they connect and how they participate in everyday life.”

She called for beauty businesses to be recognised as essential to community infrastructure, particularly amid challenges surrounding loneliness and high-street regeneration.

The findings reinforce the messaging of Professional Beauty Group’s At The Heart Of The Community campaign, which highlights salons’ wider economic and social contributions.

More than half of women mistake menopausal skin changes for ageing, research finds

More than half (56%) of women initially mistake menopause-related skin changes for general ageing, according to new research from dermatology company Galderma.

The international survey of 5,090 women found that just 29% initially recognised menopause as a possible cause of skin changes, while half were unaware that hormonal fluctuations could affect their skin.

Declining oestrogen levels during perimenopause and menopause can affect collagen production, hydration, elasticity and barrier function, contributing to dryness, sensitivity and reduced firmness.

The research also found that 70% of women had purchased anti-ageing skincare to address menopausal changes, while 62% felt overwhelmed by skincare advice.

Meanwhile, 82% believed understanding the difference between ageing and menopause-related changes would help them make more informed skincare decisions.

Anne-Cécile Chevrier, global head of injectable aesthetics at Galderma, said, “Too many women are navigating changes in their skin without recognising that menopause may be playing a role.”

The findings highlight opportunities for beauty therapists to provide personalised consultations, tailored treatments and homecare advice to support clients experiencing menopausal skin changes.

“Beautrition” tipped as major trend for 2027 as beauty and wellness supplement sales soar

Beauty from within is set to become a major wellness trend in 2027, with Whole Foods Market identifying “beautrition” as one of eight key food and drink trends.

The retailer predicts growing consumer interest in foods and drinks associated with skin health, including collagen-infused cookies, collagen jelly sticks, olive oil shots, sea moss and nutrient-rich foods such as sardines.

Beautrition reflects the growing crossover between beauty, nutrition and wellness, as consumers increasingly explore how diet can complement topical skincare routines.

Separately, retailer Face the Future reported that searches for longevity-related supplements on its site, including NMN, NAD+, shilajit and lion's mane, rose by 279% year-on-year over the last 12 months.

In addition, it found that supplement buyers spend 2.2x more on skincare than the average skincare customer.

For beauty professionals, the growing trend presents opportunities to incorporate holistic skin health conversations into consultations and explore wellness-led treatments and retail offerings.

…IN BRIEF

Phorest team members have begun heading across the UK & Ireland to congratulate the winners of its Client Experience Awards. Winners are determined by verified client reviews collected through Phorest’s system, with businesses required to maintain an average rating of at least four out of five stars across the calendar year. Recipients include Fade Laser, Dublin (pictured).

So.Shell will launch its franchise programme before the end of 2026, opening the door to its first franchised salons. Alongside this, So.Shell is planning to launch its own product line, with more details to follow in the coming months. Since opening its first salon in Soho in December 2022, So.Shell has grown to six London locations with a team of more than 100 people and over 25,000 clients.

South Kensington Estate and International Workplace Group (IWG) have opened Humanly at 1 Cromwell Place, London. The facility is a health and wellbeing workspace concept that offers flexible, treatment-ready spaces for therapy, wellness, beauty, fitness, medical consultants, and rehabilitation professionals.

Following the launch of Superdrug’s Beauty Studios and in-store beauty services, online The retailer has now opened live online bookings across 72 stores, for services including nails, lashes, brows, piercing and more. Stores already offering online booking include White City, Manchester Arndale, Cribbs Causeway, Merry Hill, Stratford, Cardiff St Davids, Newry Buttercrane, Brighton Churchill Sq, Edinburgh Princes St and Doncaster Frenchgate.

Hospitality group Thwaites has provided new investment to all its spas in six locations around the country. This latest investment comes in three strands, which includes a new primary spa partner – Templespa – the addition of Harpar Grace Déesse Pro LED face masks, and installation of wave touch massage beds. The partnership with Templespa will be rolled out in all of the group’s spa hotels.

Men are redefining their beauty routines, according to new Pinterest search data

Men's approach to beauty and grooming is becoming more intentional, with Pinterest searches revealing growing interest in skincare, hair, nails, fragrance and wellness.

Searches for “men's skincare” were up 165% in Q2 of 2026, compared with the same period in 2025, while “men skincare products” increased by 280%.

Searches for “sunscreen for men” were also up 108%, suggesting that skincare is becoming less about occasional interventions and more about establishing a daily routine.

The growth in men's skincare searches is particularly significant; for salons, spas and clinics, this raises a useful question: does your business make skincare feel accessible to a man who is just starting to explore it?

The report also suggests that men's beauty is extending beyond traditionally accepted grooming categories, with searches for “silver nails men” up 87% year on year, suggesting that more men are actively exploring nail design as a form of personal style.

Pinterest's report also places men's beauty and grooming within a broader movement towards offline wellness and connection, with searches for “forest retreat” rising by 85% and “wellness retreat” by 83%.

Service and reliability trump value in beauty reviews, research finds

Friendly, professional staff and reliable appointment experiences are far more likely to earn positive reviews from salon clients than value for money, according to new data.

The research from global financial technology company SumUp investigated what really matters to customers when booking beauty appointments, analysing more than 325,000 UK reviews across skin clinics, nail salons, makeup artists, hairdressers and barbers.

Staff behaviour appeared in almost 39 out of every 100 positive reviews, while value for money featured in just 2.63.

Bristol emerged as the most positively reviewed city, achieving an overall score of 95.2 out of 100. Customers frequently praised the quality of treatments and experienced staff.

London ranked second with a score of 80.7. The capital received particularly strong feedback for its appointment management and reliability, making it the UK’s highest-scoring city for a hassle-free customer experience.

Meanwhile, Manchester recorded the highest overall complaint score at 79.3 out of 100. Concerns around appointment reliability and value for money appeared more frequently here than in any other major city analysed.

…IN BRIEF

Ishga has partnered with Trafalgar River Cruises to create a series of experiences on board its two ships – Trafalgar Reverie and Trafalgar Verity. At the heart of the Ishga offering is “Come Snore with Us” – a signature sleep-focused spa journey created to encourage deep relaxation and restorative rest. The menu also includes results-driven facials, marine body wraps and salt body scrubs.

Treatwell has appointed Coline Herné as chief marketing officer, bringing 16 years’ experience from L’Oréal Professional, Uber and Satispay. Herné joins to lead Treatwell’s next phase of growth across Europe, bringing together her experience scaling high-growth tech platforms with knowledge of the professional beauty industry.

A new framework designed to keep wild-harvested plants in commercial supply and out of danger has been launched by Traffic in partnership with British conservation consultancy Biodiversify. The Wild Harvest Improvement Project (WHIP) Framework is a step-by-step plan designed to help local communities and the companies buying from them make the harvesting of wild plants more sustainable.

British professional spa brand Tribe517 has launched an enhanced portfolio of accredited professional courses. At the forefront is Thermaclay, Tribe517's heated massage concept. It is joined by accredited training in MLD Wellbeing & Sound Massage, alongside Tribe517's specialist Oncology Adaptation and Pregnancy Treatment training workshops.

Five-star London hotel The Beaumont Mayfair has partnered with health and wellness music brand Myndstream to embedding science-informed functional music throughout every stage of the stay. This includes specialised in-room recovery programmes developed in collaboration with recovery specialist Hyperice, as well as restorative sleep turndown rituals.

SHABA celebrates 15 years of awarding Scotland's beauty and hair talent

The Scottish Hair & Beauty Awards (SHABA) celebrated its landmark 15th anniversary this year, bringing together some of the biggest names in hair, beauty and barbering.

Now established as one of Scotland's most anticipated industry events, SHABA welcomed hundreds of finalists, industry professionals, leading brands and special guests on September 20 at the Hilton Glasgow – with Professional Beauty as media partner for the first time.

SHABA founder and director Joanne Reid said: "When I started SHABA back in 2011, I wanted to create a platform where Scotland's hair, beauty and barbering professionals could come together, celebrate their achievements and receive the recognition they deserve.”

Winners from across the beauty and hair sector were recognised, with some of the standout beauty businesses including The Head Spa(ce) in Midlothian, which won Best Day Spa; Gloss Glo & Blo, Paisley, named Best Nail Bar; and Image Face & Body Clinic, Bathgate, as Best Beauty Salon.

Individual beauty winners included Montira Thomson of Raa Saa Massage in South Queensferry, who was named Best Massage Therapist; Jessica Harrison Cook of The Nail Palette, Glasgow, as Best Nail Artist; and Pauline Radzikowski of Aurora Beauty, Glasgow, named Best Beauty Therapist.

Registration for the Scottish Hair & Beauty Awards 2027 is now open.

UKSA launches National Spa Week 2026

The UK Spa Association has announced the return of National Spa Week from November 2 to 6, 2026, focusing on the essential role of therapist expertise, human connection and personal care.

The campaign, themed "The Human Touch", aims to highlight the dedication behind guest experiences while building public awareness around the health and wellbeing benefits of spa visits.

Structured around five daily focus areas, the initiative covers industry value, team recognition, holistic health, career pathways and community connections.

As part of the campaign, the UK Spa Association (UKSA) is encouraging operator members to showcase a "Signature Spa Experience" at standard pricing on the UKSA website to drive consumer bookings without relying on discounting.

Rachel Bevan, general manager of the UK Spa Association, said, "National Spa Week is an opportunity to remind ourselves, and the wider public, that the true value of spa goes far beyond the treatment itself. It's found in the expertise of our therapists, the care of our teams and the human connections that make a lasting difference to people's experiences."

…IN BRIEF

Rhug Wild Beauty has partnered with Chuan Body + Soul at The Langham, London, bringing the organic ingredients of its North Wales estate into the hotel’s spa. Bespoke treatments include the Connect with Nature facial, which begins with a smudging ceremony using organic sage harvested from the land; and the Wonders of the Mycelium facial, which uses plants and herbs found closer to the forest floor.

Sally Beauty has announced it is among the early beauty brands to launch advertising on ChatGPT in the UK, marking an important step in the retailer’s digital marketing strategy and its commitment to reaching customers through emerging channels. ChatGPT Ads launched in the UK in August 2026, creating a new advertising environment for brands.

VTCT Skills is bringing the beauty industry into the classroom with a new series of Beauty Collective Live events, giving learners and educators the opportunity to discover techniques, trends, products and opportunities from professional brands. Taking place at colleges across the UK, the interactive events will feature demonstrations and presentations.

Ye Olde Bell Hotel & Spa has introduced Wave Reset, a 30-minute technology-led relaxation experience designed to help guests step away from the noise of everyday life. It combines zero-gravity comfort, vibroacoustic sound, gentle vibration and guided meditation. At £40 per person, Wave Reset is designed to slot easily into a spa day.

Scrummi is launching its first loyalty programme, Scrummi Rewards Club, alongside a new Pro Hub and refreshed brand identity. The programme features three tiers – Fresh, Familiar and Frequent – with customers progressing through the tiers as they order more from Scrummi, unlocking additional benefits. The Pro Hub offers marketing toolkits, photography and video.

Elemis co-founder Sean Harrington joins investment bank Lempriere Wells as partner

Elemis co-founder Sean Harrington has announced he will join Lempriere Wells, the global investment bank advising beauty and wellness businesses.

The bank has rebranded to Lempriere Wells Harrington (LWH) with the appointment of Harrington as partner.

The appointment follows a restructure at Elemis last year whereby Harrington stepped away from his chief executive role to become non-executive chair and co-founder Noella Gabriel became chief executive. The new appointment marks the firm’s focused expansion into the US market.

Harrington co-founded Elemis in 1990 and led it from launch through the end of 2025, taking the business global and steering it through multiple transactions – including a $900m (£670m) sale from private equity to a holding company in 2019.

As a partner at LWH, Harrington will advise executives and founders on operational strategy and enterprise value as they scale their businesses.

He commented, “Together we will bring founders a unique perspective having lived through each side of the journey ourselves – from building category-defining businesses to navigating what comes next.”

Dermalux signs Teresa Tarmey as ambassador

Professional LED phototherapy brand Dermalux has signed British aesthetician and skincare expert Teresa Tarmey as its new brand ambassador.

A respected name in the beauty industry, Tarmey has been a long-standing advocate of Dermalux, using its professional LED phototherapy technology for years as part of the treatments she delivers to her clients.

The appointment coincides with the launch of the new Dermalux LED Face Mask; Tarmey features in the launch campaign, sharing her professional perspective on LED phototherapy, skin health and the technology behind the new device.

Louise Taylor, co-founder of Dermalux, commented, “Teresa has trusted and used Dermalux for many years…and we’re delighted to have [her] alongside us as we introduce professional LED phototherapy to an even wider audience.”

Teresa Tarmey added, “For me, the most important thing when collaborating with a brand is trust, and I 100% trust this technology. I can’t wait to shout about it.”

End-of-life textile recycling launched for spas

Hotel and spa textiles supplier BC Softwear has partnered with Avena Group, a textile repurposing company, to launch an end-of-life recycling initiative for the spa and hotel sectors.

Used towels, bathrobes, slippers, spa linens and any other end-of-life textile products will be collected by Avena Group and, wherever possible, repurposed into new products.

These include composite building materials such as insulation, sound boarding, geotextiles and fibre reinforced concrete.

The Secure Brand process removes any logos, monograms and bespoke designs during processing, ensuring brand security. By diverting textiles from landfill, the initiative offers spas a measurable way to strengthen sustainability credentials.

DIARY DATES

November 8

BABTAC & CIBTAC AWARDS

The Fairmont Windsor Park

Awards celebrating practitioners, salons, spas and educators.

01452 623110

babtac.com

January 28-30

IMCAS WORLD 2027

Palais des Congrès de Paris, Paris

International expo covering aesthetic procedures.

+33 (0) 140 738 282