The Professional Beauty Equipment Survey found skin tightening, LED light therapy and microdermabrasion to be the top technologies salons want to invest in. We talk to Steve Plakotaris, GM Marketing and Communications at INSKIN Cosmedics about the findings.
Professional Beauty: The Professional Beauty Equipment Survey found that skin tightening (33 per cent), LED light therapy (17.6 per cent) and microdermabrasion (17.6 per cent) were the top technologies salons and practices would invest in. Why do you think this type of equipment is so popular?
Steve Plakotaris: The short answer is they work. Technology delivers enormous advantages to the expert. If you can bolt these technologies onto an aesthetician’s existing skincare expertise, the results that can be achieved in salon are potentially greatly improved.
PB: Nearly half of respondents said that aesthetic technology would be “significantly valuable” to their business. What are the key benefits in having this type of equipment in a salon?
Steve Plakotaris: Technology theoretically enhances a salon owner’s business in many different ways. In INSKIN’s view, this combined modality approach is what really delivers skincare and skin heath results. That, in turn, means clients are in the salon more often, which makes a business more profitable without increasing hours or physically expanding a business. Of course these technologies need to be mastered, but once mastered, they have the potential to improve productivity and profitability.
PB: Nearly half of respondents said that aesthetic technology would be “significantly valuable” to their business. How difficult is it for salons to adapt?
SP: Technology is one of the top growth sectors in the industry and the potential growth over the next four to six years is going to be extraordinary. Small business owners are some of the bravest people in the world. Anyone who can hang a shingle and start up their own business isn’t risk adverse, so it’s not too difficult for them to adopt new technology.
PB: How savvy are clients these days in terms of which equipment is used by a salon?
SP: People want results. As the population ages, of course they are interested in new technology, absolutely; we are a population going face first into old age in huge numbers. But clients really are led by the aesthetician’s mastery; they are informed and educated by the expert.
PB: How can professionals be sure of the quality of a product? What are the things to look for?
SP: Like everything else you do for your business, you’ve got to do your research. Push brands and people to prove they can achieve the best results.
PB: How important is it to professionals that equipment industry is regulated?
SP: When dealing with the human element, it is important that the risk be regulated. We’re dealing with people and the skin so there needs to be regulations to protect the client and the aesthetician. I would also say that skincare professionals need to be recognised by these regulations as skincare experts. Just because we are dealing with machines, doesn’t mean that doctors should be the only professionals operating them.
For more information go to INSKIN
The Professional Beauty Equipment Survey was sponsored by The Global Beauty Group.