Starting either a wax bar or full-service spa are both great business opportunities and each has its own set of benefits and considerations. Prior to deciding which business structure is best for you, it is important to do your research and build a business plan. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each will help you make an educated decision on which to choose.  

MASTER OF ONE 

Wax bars focus on waxing and the team is encouraged to perfect that skill to offer the best wax possible. Most wax bars have an expanded menu of waxing services which include multiple areas of the body that not all spas offer. Specialization allows the business to differentiate itself from other businesses because clients who are seeking a wax will most likely be more attracted to a specialized business. Clients will assume that a business that focuses on one service will be able to provide a high-quality, more comfortable waxing experience. Additionally, being known as a specialized business can boost the overall reputation of the business and build credibility in the waxing space. Although many full-service spas do offer waxing as part of their service menu, the professionals are not often dedicated to that service and therefore do not have the opportunity to build their skills as quickly as someone who is only doing waxing.  

Lindsay Miller is the president of LYCON Wax North America. Having first discovered LYCON wax in the United Kingdom 10 years ago, she has dedicated her time to growing the brand across North America, including introducing LYCON to Canada. Training and product quality are extremely important to Miller and she prides herself on building a strong team around her that can offer the best customer experience possible. LYCON continues to be a market leader in hair removal wax and is used in top spas and salons around the world.  

When we think of the skin care industry, we may not immediately think of what has traditionally been known as men’s skin care; however, it is an important segment of the consumer group, and worth time and consideration. 

In a study by Straits Research, the global men’s skin care products market was valued at $12.981 billion in 2022.1 It is estimated to be valued at $15.23 billion in 2023 and is expected to total $37 billion by 2033. The adoption of men’s skin care products is likely to advance at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.4% during the forecast period.2  

A FEW GOOD MEN 

The growing demand for gender-specific products such as shampoos, conditioners, shaving creams, face masks, and peels by men is expected to positively impact the market.3 Interestingly enough, it appears that men’s spending habits differ from women’s when it comes to impulse buying. Men are more than willing to splurge on skin care as a form of self-care due to their growing awareness of skin care products. In Deloitte’s latest update to its ongoing Global State of the Consumer Index, researchers found when men splurge, they spend 40% more than women globally and in the United States on various items.4  

However, the surging disregard of gender binaries among Generation Z consumers is a major growth opportunity the men’s skin care market offers.5 Nearly 40% of adults aged 18 to 22 have shown interest in gender-neutral beauty products, according to the NPD Group’s iGen Beauty Consumer report.6 

Digital Development  

 Men have been exposed to much more information about skin care, beauty products, and cosmetics as a result of the rise of social media beauty bloggers and influencers. While TikTok and Instagram have similar membership numbers, TikTok has a larger audience for male-centered beauty content. According to market and consumer data platform Statista, as of January 2023, approximately 54% of TikTok global users were women and 46% were men. The #mensskincare hashtag currently draws up approximately 350,000 results on Instagram; on TikTok, the same hashtag has over 295 million views. A representative from TikTok pulled up the viewership count for several of the most popular male-centered beauty hashtags: #mensgrooming has 1.5 billion views, #mensmakeup has 326.8 million, #mensskincare has 292.7 million and #mensskincareproducts has 31.7 million.7 

Lila Castellanos has focused her energies into the beauty industry for the past 19 years, specializing in skin rejuvenation. As a licensed aesthetician, she has lent her expertise to several different environments including working as a paramedical aesthetician in the medical spa field as well as in both day spa and mobile spa business models. It was through these varied experiences, along with the interactions with her loyal clientele, that she honed her passion for improving and maintaining the health and integrity of her clients’ skin. Castellanos thrives on being able to use her extensive knowledge to customize each treatment to help her clients achieve the results they are searching for. Her adaptability and versatility are equally impressive in providing antiaging facials, treating acne, and minimizing the appearance of scarring or when addressing skin conditions that arise as a result of hormonal changes.  

Welcome back to The Melanin Diaries. No one wants to walk on eggshells, especially passionate skin professionals. The bedrock of client care is effective communication, not the fear of offending them. There is a large advantage in leading a consultation with the positives of providing optimal solutions for clients and not with what could possibly go wrong. It is a level of confident empathy that can be felt.

Many skin professionals soar in their empathy levels, however, have to work a bit more on their confidence levels. It is not automatic for most. With the plethora of mishaps and miscalculated outcomes that have transpired in the treatment room for melanin-rich skin, some would argue that the concern is warranted. However, if risk alone was reason enough to not provide services, there would be no medical clinics, medical spas, or skin care studios. 

Therefore, mitigating risks, negative experiences, and mishaps for clients, rests on the levels of knowledge skin professionals possess. When it comes to caring for melanin-rich skin, there are at times invisible barriers that clients come to a skin health space with. 

C.R. Cooper is a connective, knowledgeable, and compassionate educator who has been a skin enthusiast for over 24 years. As the education manager and master educator for a renowned global institute of learning in the skin health industry, Cooper values organizational and individual industry standards, professional and personal brand integrity, but most importantly the inherent worth in every skin professional.

Bridging the Microbial World: Exploring the Microbiome, Skin Barrier, & Beyond

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Licensed skin care professionals know how important it is to understand the fundamentals of the body's integumentary system. For professionals who treat acne, it is even more important to understand two key functions within that system: the microbiome and barrier. Join licensed aestheticians Alex Hernandez and Kelsey Duque as they discuss the importance of the microbiome, how to recognize and address an impaired barrier, and how to help your clients get clear skin for good using the Face Reality Clear Skin Method. Plus, a deep dive on Face Reality’s brand-new Barrier Balance Creamy Cleanser, a powerful creamy cleanser developed specially for the needs of acne-prone skin.

MEET THE PRESENTERS- Alex Hernández & Kelsey Duque

Alex Hernández, a licensed aesthetician for over seven years, first joined Face Reality’s Clinic as an acne specialist, then became lead aesthetician, managed their Clinic, and then assumed responsibility as lead educator. She oversees professional training, and develops Face Reality’s educational materials, protocols, and classes nationally for the brand’s Acne Professional Program

Kelsey Duque, a licensed aesthetician of over eight years and a certified acne expert for five years. Trained by Laura Cooksey herself, Duque began treating acne clients in the Face Reality Acne Clinic and later played a key role in onboarding and supporting Face Reality’s Acne Expert community. As education development manager and educator, she oversees professional training, and develops Face Reality’s educational materials, protocols, and classes nationally for the brand’s Acne Professional Program

Skin by Sharon is nestled in Floral Park, New York, servicing the Queens and Long Island boroughs. The founder and owner, Sharon Subdhan, is a huge advocate for wellness and promotes living a healthy, balanced lifestyle. She focuses on a holistic approach with a touch of technology during treatments. Subdhan prides herself on educating and uplifting each client, no matter where they are in their skin journey. Her clients love that she is relatable, transparent, and always looks out for their best interest at heart. Subdhan is recognized for having a 5-star review rating on Google and a great rapport with each person she meets. Her goal is to exceed all expectations in the treatment room, have clients feel and look their best, and introduce a piece of wellness during each visit.

What pushed you to open your own spa, and at what point in your career did you open it?

I started in an untraditional way; the industry is what pushed me to become a solo aesthetician. I went on numerous interviews after getting my aesthetics license. I was not hired due to my lack of experience in the field. I wanted to perform facials to gain experience, so I decided to start offering my own services. One thing led to another, and next thing I knew, I had a full-on business.

A licensed aesthetician, Kodirova is the owner of LAZ Skincare in New York, New York. 

What is your educational background, and how do you continue your education in the industry?

I graduated from Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics, and now, I am pursuing a degree in marketing management, which complements my expertise in aesthetics and assists me in managing and growing my business. I also attend conferences, workshops, and engage with professional organizations. Active participation in online forums and communities keeps me updated with valuable insights to best service my clients.