Advancing WITH AESTHETICS

The line between skincare treatments provided by salons and by specialised skin centres is blurring. As the consumer becomes more aware and demands personalised solutions, salons are investing in hi-tech devices to create bespoke aesthetic beauty treatments. Kanishka Ramchandani follows the growth arc of aesthetic treatments.

Aesthetic beauty, once limited to dermatology clinics and medispas, is now becoming a key offering in professional salons. Clients are no longer seeking just traditional haircuts and facials; they want advanced treatments like skin rejuvenation, non-invasive facelifts and customised skincare backed by technology. While there is a surge in demand for aesthetic beauty treatments, it is important for salons to do things the right way to ensure maximum customer satisfaction and prevent unwanted results.

Vinu Kripalani, Owner, Vinus Hair and Skincare Centre, explains, “I started in this industry more than 40 years back in Muscat. In those days, the beauty industry only had salons, and doctors were not a part of it. Skin treatments were done by dermatologists, which included minor procedures such as wart and skin tag removals, cauterisations etc. Major work was done by plastic surgeons. But since the past 20-25 years, both in India and abroad, the aesthetic beauty business has evolved into a major industry and doctors from different fields have become a part of it.”

As the professional skincare industry is growing organically, salons are joining the fray. Devicebacked skin rejuvenation treatment such as micro dermabrasion and laser treatments such as hair reduction have become a part of a salon’s offering. However, such treatments are to be administered only by qualified cosmetologists. This ensures that the salon customer is getting cutting-edge skincare solutions in a safe and hygienic environment, under the supervision of a qualified aesthetician. Going a step further, several salons have identified the need to offer advanced dermatological treatments under the same roof. This has led to the creation of dermatologist-led aesthetic skin clinics that complement the offerings of the salon, thereby retaining the customer and ensuring repeat footfall.

Renu Kant, Owner, Envi Salons, says, “People choose aesthetic services in a salon atmosphere because they appreciate the experience, the feel-good factor, and the trust we’ve built over the years. That’s why we introduced aesthetics in our salons. While many salons offer these services, what sets us apart is our commitment to maintaining brand integrity—we have a dermatologist who’s personally overseeing all services. I wouldn’t compromise on my brand, and trust is everything. The same trust our clients have in our salon, I want them to have in our aesthetics offerings as well.”

Dr Vijaya Salunkhe, Business Consultant - Beauty & Wellness, recalls, “A couple of years ago, Renu Kant mentioned to me about wanting a space where the best technology meets the highest level of supervision. Our challenge was blending a salon and a clinic—two very different verticals, one rooted in medicine and the other in lifestyle. We conducted extensive studies and surveys, not just from a business perspective, but also to ensure it was the right kind of investment, especially as we were committing heavily to technology. All the technologies we use are FDA-approved, which is a key guideline in any medical line of care.”

ACING THE AESTHETICS

While salon services provide good results, customers today are looking beyond the ordinary. They want specialised and personalised treatments for their skin and hair. That’s where aesthetic treatments come into the picture. Some of the common concerns that can be treated by cosmetologists or by aestheticians under the guidance of dermatologists include:

• Acne and acne scarring: Chemical peels, laser treatments, and medical-grade facials

• Hyperpigmentation and melasma: Laser therapy, chemical peels, microdermabrasion and prescriptionstrength skin-lightening treatments

• Rosacea and redness: Specialised facials, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy and LED light therapy

• Fine lines and wrinkles: Microneedling, radiofrequency (RF) treatments and laser skin resurfacing

• Sagging skin: High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), RF skin tightening and collagen-boosting treatments

• Dark circles and eye bags: Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, specialised eye peels and laser treatments

• Hair loss and thinning: PRP therapy, mesotherapy and low-level laser therapy (LLLT).

• Dandruff and scalp infections: Scalp exfoliation treatments, medicated hair treatments under supervision.

Kripalani warns, “Everyone wants to look a certain way after the trends are set, which in turn is boosting the demand in the market and hence we are delivering it. However, cosmetologists cannot hide or give incorrect information as the consumers have come a long way, thanks to social media.”

GETTING TRAINED THE RIGHT WAY

If the salon owners and staff are correctly educated and adequately trained, then they can provide aesthetic treatments. Also, they can have visiting doctors to do the injectables and provide required service,” suggests Kripalani.

A cosmetologist is a professional trained in hair, skin and nail treatments, often working in salons, spas or dermatology clinics.

• Diploma / Certification in Cosmetology (duration: 6 months – 2 years)

• Bachelor’s Degree in Cosmetology (optional)

• Advanced Diploma in Medical Cosmetology (for clinical settings)

• Many countries require state-approved licensing exams (e.g., CIDESCO, CIBTAC, VTCT, NVQ and City & Guilds internationally).

• In India, courses from institutions like VLCC, Lakmé Academy, Pearl Academy, or LTA School of Beauty can be useful.

An aesthetician specialises in advanced skin treatments, working in dermatology clinics, med spas or cosmetic surgery centres.

• Diploma / Certificate in Aesthetics and Skincare

• Medical Aesthetics Training (for clinical treatments)

• Postgraduate Certification in Dermatology Aesthetics (for working under a dermatologist)

• Laser and Light Therapy Certification (for laser hair removal, skin resurfacing)

• Chemical Peeling and Microneedling Certification

• PRP Therapy Training

• HydraFacial, RF Therapy and Cryotherapy Training

• In the USA, some states require a medical aesthetician license.

• In the UK and EU, professionals must have a Level 4/5 qualification in Advanced Aesthetics.

• In India, no strict licensing is needed, but certificates from Indian Academy of Aesthetic Medicine (IAAM) or Institute of Cosmetic & Laser Surgery (ICLS) can help.

GETTING STARTED

Starting an aesthetic beauty section in your salon requires thorough research and market understanding. This checklist might help:

• Know the concerns of your existing customers and whether they would like to avail of aesthetic beauty services in a salon set-up.

• Assess the physical space available to set up a separate section for aesthetic beauty.

• Hire qualified and experienced staff. If you are planning on adding advanced treatments, hire a dermatologist to helm this section.

• Check out the vendors for medical-grade devices and equipment. Beware of cheap imitations.

• Ensure a welcoming ambience to put the customers at ease.

• Set up a retail counter for homecare products.

STAYING ON TREND

“Currently salmon DNA, skin boosters and lasers are trending all over the world. Botox is no longer a scary topic to discuss. The entire industry is getting into regenerative and restorative treatments. The bio stimulators and bio modulators are giving amazing results to prevent ageing. For hair, hair growth boosters are trending,” states Kripalani.

She adds, “I use organic peels, which are mild to the skin and are loved by all our clients as there is no peeling, dryness and downtime. We also make use of microcurrent technology, as it works on lymphatic drainage, acne scars and signs of ageing.

“Imagine getting a vitamin-Cand glutathione IV drip while enjoying a pedicure or relaxing with a foot massager while receiving a treatment. This seamless blend reflects how the beauty industry is evolving, because change is the only constant. And this, truly, is the future of beauty,” underscores Dr Salunkhe.

ASPIRING FOR AESTHETICS

Salon owners who are looking at adding aesthetic beauty to their repertoire of services or aspiring cosmetologists and aestheticians, here’s a word from the wise. Kripalani advises, “There is a lot of competition in the market right now. You need to be the best in what you do because when you lose a client, you lose that person forever. You need to be confident and try treatments on yourself before suggesting. This will build a lot of trust in the clients for them to believe in you.”

The aesthetic beauty segment is off to a strong start and is only going to scale up in the near future. Salon brands that are able to identify this surge and harness its benefits, stand to gain considerably.