The New Addiction or Self-Medicating Self-Worth?

New research from the organisers of Salon International, the UK’s leading professional hairdressing exhibition, has discovered that the love people feel for a new ‘do’, means that 19.4% of UK women have gone without, to afford a hair appointment, while 5% admit the same for a beauty treatment.

When questioned what they have sacrificed, nights out with friends topped the list, followed by daily treats like coffee, a new outfit or in some cases lunch/food to save the pennies. Regionally, women in the North West are the most likely to skip treats and meals to afford a new hairstyle; while those in Northern Ireland go without more regularly to afford beauty treatments.

Women in general spend an average of £370 a year on hair and beauty appointments, the equivalent of £22,000 over a lifetime. Over half of the respondents admitted to visiting a salon at least once a month, 11% of which went weekly; and when questioned if they felt ‘addicted’ to their treatments, 13% said yes/still deciding.

Commenting on the new research, Jayne Lewis Orr, executive director of Salon International said,

The hair and beauty industry currently generates £7bn in turnover each year, a figure which is rising annually. There is an incredibly strong correlation between how people look and how it makes them feel, and thanks to the rise in social media, celebrity culture and advancements in hair and beauty technology, people now see their visits to the hair or beauty salon as integral to their identity and well-being, and no longer just a luxury treat.

Women now visit salons every eight to ten weeks and are prepared to skip nights out to economise in order to do so. In such a pressurised world, the ability to take time out and enjoy a professional hair service is vital, not only to make you look fantastic - but feel confident and happy.

When asked if they didn’t go regularly for a hair or beauty appointment and how it made them feel - 60% of respondents answered ‘unkempt/messy’, ‘unconfident’, ‘sad/depressed’ and ‘dirty’.

Salon International is the go-to show for hair professionals from across the globe. With over 400 exhibitors including Goldwell, KMS, Wella, Balmain, BaByliss PRO, Great Lengths, milk_shake and Reuzel – it is guaranteed to provide the 40,000+ visitors the ultimate hair experience.