Several years after the use of cannabidiol (CBD) extract became commonplace, the market is hot, with a valuation of approximately $5 billion dollars and the expectation to grow. This product is not just part of a fad. The beauty industry has seized this opportunity to develop products and services that offer clients the stress-reducing and pain-relieving benefits associated with CBD.
But, as CBD use continues to grow in popularity, salon owners will have to stay on top of trends and find new and innovative ways to utilize the product to stay competitive. Further, they’ll have to conduct due diligence to ensure they only work with CBD products they understand
and are confident will deliver a beneficial experience to their clients.
A Look at the Uses and Benefits of CBD in Salons and Spas
CBD has been found to be particularly beneficial and appealing to clients in particular aspects of beauty care including the following:
- Skin care: CBD’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties have been found to help with redness, inflammation, acne and more. Skincare products with CBD are widely available including moisturizers, serums, lip balms, sunscreens and more. Salon and spa owners and operators should consider finding new ways CBD can be incorporated into treatments to help clients with wellness and ailments. For instance, a study in the National Library of Medicine found CBD could be used to treat psoriasis.
- Massage therapy: Some of the most well-known benefits of CBD are also key reasons why people seek out massages, including stress, pain and tension relief. Because CBD is not the same as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient extracted from cannabis plants, clients can reap the relaxing benefits, without feeling out of control. However, it is important for salon and spa owners to be thorough when choosing a CBD massage oil as there are differences in dosage, types of CBD extracts and more.
- Haircare: One of the lesser known, but increasingly popular uses for CBD products involves haircare as it is thought to stimulate hair growth and nourish the scalp. CBD is packed with omega acids that nourish and promote healthier, longer hair. Similar to providing wellness benefits, salon and spa owners who choose to utilize CBD to help with challenges such as hair loss and breakage could take advantage of growing customer demand and separate themselves from their competitors.
Choosing the Products and Services Right for Your Salon
It’s important to note that not all CBD products will work as advertised, and some will contain inactive ingredients or claim to provide benefits without having the necessary ingredients. As such, salon and spa owners should ensure they are informed before using and promoting products in their businesses.
To start, salon owners should identify their goal in implementing a CBD product and assess their needs from there. Next, salon and spa owners should research the science and thought behind achieving that goal. This will help them understand important aspects such as how many milligrams of CBD should be in a product to achieve the goal, which active ingredient should be listed and more. Words like “hemp extract,” “cannabidiol” or “hemp CBD” on the label will disclose if the product contains CBD or a different byproduct. For example, if a salon is looking to provide a service that provides anxiety or stress relief, through research, they will learn they might need to explore CBD products with a higher potency to deliver the results they are seeking.
Delving into the CBD beauty market can be a daunting task, but failing to do so could put your salon or spa at risk of falling out of touch with your customers or your competition. CBD is here to stay, and clients will likely ask for their salon or spa professional expertise when exploring options. Begin by doing the research, understand how CBD can benefit clients and choose the best product to fill their needs.
Kathy Lopez, Account Manager for SASSI, the Salon and Spa Specialty Insurance program at Brownyard Group. She can be reached at klopez@brownyard.com.
