Research & data
For salons & spas.The white paper
The long-form case for workplace wellness in the beauty and wellness industry, written for owners, schools and brand partners who need the whole argument in one document.
research & data
For salons & spas.
The white paper
The long-form case for workplace wellness in the beauty and wellness industry, written for owners, schools and brand partners who need the whole argument in one document.
research & data
For salons & spas.
The white paper
The long-form case for workplace wellness in the beauty and wellness industry, written for owners, schools and brand partners who need the whole argument in one document.
The research
Prioritizing wellness in beauty
Insights from the professional beauty community.Pivot Point surveyed 129 licensed, actively working cosmetologists, using quantitative data and open-ended comments. The primary focus was social and mental health, with physical health, financial health and personal safety captured as well. Respondents reflected the community’s range of generations and roles: 47% independent rental stylists, 20% commission salon stylists, 15% chain salon stylists, 12% commission salon owners and 6% chain salon managers. A partnership with The Tease supported the research.
Executive summary
The growing importance of wellness for beauty professionals
The pandemic brought workplace mental health and wellness into sharper focus, emphasizing how disruption, stress and burnout impact employees across all industries. This growing concern is underscored by national data. According to the American Psychological Association’s 2024 Work in America survey, 77% of employees report experiencing work-related stress, with 57% citing emotional exhaustion or decreased motivation. Mental Health America’s 2024 Mind the Workplace report reveals that 71% of Generation Z employees and 59% of Millennials are scoring poorly in workplace wellness.
While anecdotal information on wellness challenges is widespread in the beauty sector, there has been no data specific to our industry. With over one million licensed professionals in the U.S., even issues affecting a small percentage have significant impact.
What they face
91% of respondents were facing at least one wellness-related challenge, primarily related to work-life balance, mental health concerns such as stress, anxiety and depression, physical health issues and financial pressures.
What it costs
These struggles affect workplace attendance, engagement and relationships with coworkers and clients, reducing motivation and, in some cases, leading professionals to leave their jobs or the industry altogether.
What it means
This research highlights a need to prioritize wellness for beauty professionals as part of our broader industry efforts to support a thriving workforce. While this report represents an initial exploration, it provides a foundation for further study and action.
Findings · Beauty professionals
No single issue. Many shared ones.
The majority of licensed beauty professionals (91%) report experiencing one or more wellness-related challenges. While no single issue emerged as predominant, several challenges were shared by a significant percentage of the professionals surveyed. Many cite social and mental wellness issues as contributing to decreased motivation. Alarmingly, one in four professionals indicated that these challenges have reduced their interest in remaining within the industry.
What professionals say they personally face
What mental and physical health challenges do you personally face? Select all that apply.
How it shows up at work
Have social and emotional challenges affected your work performance, if at all? Select all that apply.
One in four say it has reduced their interest in staying in the industry.
Findings · Wellness coping mechanisms
Most have a support system. Almost half lean on it regularly.
Most salon professionals say they have an emotional support system of friends, family and colleagues, and almost half rely on it regularly. They also rely on a wide variety of activities to manage their wellness.
How often they rely on their support system
How frequently do you rely on your support system (friends, family, colleagues) for emotional support, if at all?
What they do for their own well-being
Which of the following activities do you personally engage in to support your overall well-being? Select all that apply.
Findings · Professional beauty wellness resources
They feel resourced. They still want industry-specific tools.
Perhaps due to their strong personal networks, most professionals feel that they have the resources to support their emotional and mental wellness. Still, over two-thirds would be interested in having beauty-industry-specific resources available to support their well-being, specifically information resources, professional development, stress training and information about counseling or therapy.
“I have all the necessary resources and tools to support my mental and emotional wellness.”
Interest in beauty-industry-specific wellness resources
How interested would you be in having beauty-industry-specific resources and tools available to support your mental, emotional and physical wellness?
What would help at work
Which of the following would help support your physical, mental and emotional well-being at work? Select all that apply.
In their own words
“What is the most challenging aspect of being a beauty professional you currently struggle with?”
“Client Retention: Keeping clients satisfied and loyal in a competitive industry.”
Licensed beauty professional“Managing customer expectations and providing personalized services.”
Licensed beauty professional“The toll it takes on my body after all the years.”
Licensed beauty professional“How to alleviate some of the pain and stress.”
Licensed beauty professional“Managing time effectively, especially with varied appointments, and maintaining a work-life balance can also be difficult.”
Licensed beauty professional“The demands of marketing and social media management.”
Licensed beauty professional“Getting older, having to compete with younger girls, and keeping up on being relevant.”
Licensed beauty professional“Staying up-to-date with constantly evolving trends and techniques while balancing client expectations.”
Licensed beauty professional“Expensive continuing education.”
Licensed beauty professional“Handling low season as finances decline.”
Licensed beauty professionalCompanion research · The beauty school community
It starts in school
Pivot Point’s companion research explores the wellness challenges within beauty schools today. By examining the experiences of both students and their instructors, it highlights barriers to student engagement, graduation and instructor retention while identifying strategies and tools to address them. Wellness is no longer a secondary issue. It is vital for ensuring students can successfully complete their programs and for fostering the long-term retention of dedicated educators.
Wellness information and references
Pivot Point wellness resources
- Wellness Research, Schools
- Wellness Research, Professionals
- The Vitality Project
- Pivot Point Fundamentals Wellness Curriculum: Healthy Mind and Body, Ergonomics, Basic Communication, Communicate With Confidence, Human Relations, Resilience
- Shear Haven Domestic Violence Awareness Guide
- Industry Wellness Resources
- Diversity and Inclusion Resources
Beauty industry wellness resources
- Beyond the Chair
- Confess Project
- Cosmetologists United
- Dresscode Project
- Hair Has No Gender
- Hair Love Retreat / The Vitality Project
- Head Up
- Professional Beauty Association
- SalonCentric Retreat
- Sensory Space Salon
General wellness resources
- Mental Health America
- National Institute of Mental Health
- Anxiety and Depression Association of America
- Mental Health First Aid
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- The Sanctuary Challenge
- IDONTMIND
Mental health research cited in the paper: McKinsey on Gen Z behavioral health; the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis on economic stress, technology and Gen Z mental health; Emory University Rollins School of Public Health on social media and Gen Z; the Annie E. Casey Foundation on Gen Z mental health trends; the American Psychological Association’s Monitor on Psychology; the RAND Corporation’s 2023 report on teacher well-being; Lyra on mental health trends in the workplace; the Ipsos World Mental Health Day 31-country report; and the Global Wellness Economy Monitor.
Other research
Outside the Pivot Point study
Separately cited, not part of the Pivot Point white paper. Published research on the mental and physical health of salon professionals.
L’Oréal Professionnel’s 2023 research across six countries found that 65% of hairstylists have experienced anxiety, burnout or depression during their professional career, and named mental health the number one challenge facing hairdressers. Hairstylists are exposed to more than 2,000 hours of client conversations a year. The findings launched Head Up, a free mental health program built with NAMI.
L’Oréal Professionnel Paris, Head Up, 2023A scoping review of 44 studies on hairdressers’ musculoskeletal health found 12-month prevalence of disorders ranging from 13% to 76% for the lower back, 9% to 58% for the neck, 28% to 60% for the shoulder and 11% to 53% for the hand and wrist. Risk factors include working with arms above shoulder level, repetitive movements, awkward postures, standing and a lack of adequate breaks.
Kozak, Wirth, Verhamme and Nienhaus, Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology, 201977% of U.S. employees report experiencing work-related stress, and 57% cite emotional exhaustion or decreased motivation. The beauty industry’s 91% sits well above that line.
American Psychological Association, Work in America survey, 2024. Also cited in the Pivot Point paper.71% of Generation Z employees and 59% of Millennials scored poorly on workplace wellness in a survey of 3,915 employees across 21 U.S. industries.
Mental Health America, Mind the Workplace report, 2024. Also cited in the Pivot Point paper.These citations are from published sources outside the Pivot Point paper and should be checked against the originals before print use.
The bottom line
This research highlights a need to prioritize wellness for beauty professionals as part of our broader industry efforts to support a thriving workforce. It is an initial exploration, and a foundation for further study and action, ensuring that beauty professionals have the tools and support they need to succeed.
Download our research report
Prioritizing Wellness in Beauty: Insights From the Professional Beauty Community. The Pivot Point International white paper, with The Tease.
Download the report
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REFER A FRIEND.
Help us grow the movement and get rewarded for doing it. Change lives, get paid!