The future of hair salons and hairdressing

From making a fortune of the stock exchange to working out what the next big thing will be, predicting the future is big business.

The major colour houses use trend agencies that work two years ahead to predict what the most popular shapes and the hottest shades will be in the forthcoming seasons.

But while trends come and go, some things change beyond all recognition. Research for L'Oréal Professionnel has developed three distinct visions of what hairdressing could look like in the future.

Eco-systemic | Lab and Salon | Ultimate Creativity

Science fiction, or not so far away from where the most progressive salon owners and stylists already are? You decide.

Eco-Systemic

FUTURE VISION

Widespread awareness of sustainability, coupled with advances in research, will lead to a greener approach in salon design.

• Salons will be carbon neutral and water wastage will be kept
  
  to a minimum.
• Hair colour will be 100% natural to meet environmentally conscious demands.
• Styling products will be based on resins, be paraben-free and biodegradable.
• Natural temperature control will be generated by roof-top solar panels along with wind turbines.
• Calming vegetal walls will mute outside noise and commotion. 
• High-resistance flooring made from recycled tyres will help to reduce the impact on hairdressers' knees. 
• Untreated wood panels will naturally purify the air.

CURRENT

Francesca Cragg won the NatWest Everywoman Award for most inspiring female entrepreneur aged under 25 for her environmentally friendly salon Revitalize Hair & Beauty Spa in Bolton.

"There is so much focus on the environment these days and I wanted my first salon to do its bit for the planet. I was approached by a company called Groundheat, which had some innovative ideas about how we could heat the salon using underground bore holes. It was more environmentally friendly than gas or fuel and 75% cheaper to run, so I jumped at the chance.

"As well as the underground system, we have solar panels on the roof that power the salon during the summer months, and any excess energy is channelled down into the bore holes to be stored for the winter. We use a similar system with the water and heat from the backwash because that is traditionally an area that wastes a lot of energy.

"I have just taken on TIGI's Love, Peace and the Planet range and use Bare Escentuals make-up in the beauty salon and, in the future, I would like to introduce a green colour range as well. I'm really proud of the salon, and the publicity it has generated has certainly brought in lots of environmentally aware new clients.

"I'd fully recommend salon owners take the green approach. There are lots of grants available for businesses that want to help the environmental situation and, even though the initial outlay is more expensive, in the long term it will save you money."

Lab and Salon

FUTURE VISION 

Increasingly in-depth understanding of science will improve care and treatment of the scalp, hair and skin.

• Hairdressers will adopt a scientific approach that enables them to analyse the individual's specific needs.
• The consultation will include an online diagnosis that will use the next generation of internet technology and enable a customised treatment to be formulated. 
• Stem cell research will enable complaints such as alopecia and whitening of hair to be treated in the salon.
• At the styling station, each client will have a skin and hair ID card.
• The hairdresser will customise haircare for each client at the in-salon laboratory.
• Clients will take home a regularly updated care programme.

CURRENT

Philip Kingsley has been applying his diagnostic approach to scalp and hair health since 1960.

"Each new client at the Philip Kingsley Trichological Clinic, London, undergoes a thorough consultation that includes general health, stress factors, complete nutritional history and eating habits.

"They will also have blood tests and a careful examination of the scalp and hair to determine any causes of hair loss or problem hair. By following this process, we are able to give each client the right treatment for their complaint.

"I believe that the potential for correct salon trichotherapy treatments in hair salons is enormous and the service would be very much appreciated by the clients as well as a good source of extra income."

Charles and Karen Dodds of Cutting Room Creative, Leeds, have introduced a Kérastase scalp camera to their service menu, and have reaped the retail rewards.

"We have the ability to analyse hair and scalps with a scalp camera and offer the service free of charge. However, in 99% of the cases, it results in a sale of retail products - usually of several products.

"We also find it incredibly useful for colour consultations. New colour clients often have hair and scalp damage. We use the camera to show them that we need to strengthen the hair and improve the condition of the scalp before we start to colour the hair.

"This results in excellent product sales, immediate client trust, and still leads to a colour sale. This diagnostic approach to clients has very much become the way in which we work and we can't see any reason why that would change."

Ultimate Creativity

FUTURE VISION 

Technology will push back the boundaries of hairdressers' creativity, enabling them to create looks beyond their wildest dreams.

• Variable dyes will enable women to change hair colour as the mood strikes.
• A limitless colour palette will create highlights that look the same in any light.
• The golden bob and other metal hair colour shades will shine on the catwalk. 
•  Laser scissors will make cuts more precise and faster than ever. 
• Synthetic hair extensions will be lightweight and mimic feathers and fur that will not be differentiated from the real thing.
• Fibre optic lighting threads will add an explosion of light and drama to the hair.

CURRENT

Often described as the most creative hairdresser of his generation, Angelo Seminara's creations include hair crafted into sushi and bamboo.

"The creative side of hairdressing is what I love doing and is my passion. Unfortunately, you cannot only be creative to succeed in this industry, though. Other aspects such as customer service have to play an incredibly important role, which is great for everyone but sometimes it can be frustrating for an artist.

"To keep pushing the boundaries, I find inspiration in just about everything in the world around me: from art to architecture and nature to avant-garde fashion designers - anything that has shape, consistency and colour can bring about a new collection.

"That inspiration starts as a feeling and translates into a sketch or a reference followed by research, tests, hard work and fun. It has led to so many images that I love, but my favourite is a bob-illusion that I call the colourmetrix. It is a hairstyle that incorporates many modern/futuristic elements in a very dramatic, stylish way.

"In the future, creativity will come from colour research and product development. Both will have an enormous impact on our business, and the possibilities will be infinite."