Pleasure-led wellness, skin longevity and stress regulation to shape spas in 2026, says Global Wellness Summit

UK beauty salons and spas are being urged to rethink how they position treatments and experiences in 2026, as new global research predicts a shift away from high-tech, data-driven wellness towards skin longevity, nervous system regulation and more pleasure-led, human-centred care.

The predictions come from the Global Wellness Summit’s (GWS) new Future of Wellness report, which outlines 10 trends expected to shape the global wellness economy over the next year, from changes in how beauty approaches ageing to the growing role of stress management, women’s health and sensory spa experiences.

Skin longevity emerges as a defining beauty trend

One of the most relevant trends for the professional beauty industry is the rise of skin longevity, which the report says is replacing traditional “anti-ageing” narratives.

According to GWS, beauty is increasingly being reframed around maintaining skin health, resilience and regeneration over the long term, rather than reversing visible signs of ageing.

Advances in skin diagnostics, regenerative treatments, biotechnology and AI-driven analysis are accelerating this shift, with skin positioned as both the body’s largest organ and a marker of overall health.

The report noted that innovations such as advanced skin scanning, new active ingredients and preventative treatments are reshaping professional skincare, with the concept of longevity extending beyond the face to include scalp and hair health.

For UK salons and clinics, this signals growing demand for results-driven, personalised skin programmes rather than one-off corrective treatments.

Backlash against high-tech, data-driven wellness

The report also identifies a growing backlash against over-optimisation, driven by consumer fatigue with constant self-tracking, diagnostics and performance metrics.

GWS suggests wellness is moving away from dashboards and data towards sensory, emotional and human-centred experiences.

For spas, this is reflected in rising interest in touch-based therapies, low-stimulation environments, relaxation rituals and treatments designed to regulate the nervous system rather than optimise performance.

Social saunas, pleasure-led wellness experiences and therapies focused on emotional repair are cited as areas of growth, as consumers seek balance rather than perfection.

Nervous system regulation moves into mainstream

Closely linked is the rise of neurowellness, which the report describes as the next frontier of health and wellbeing.

While consumer neurotechnology is growing globally, GWS highlights that established spa therapies, including massage, breathwork, somatic movement and bodywork, are increasingly recognised for their role in regulating the nervous system.

For spas, this reinforces the relevance of existing treatment menus, with growing consumer awareness of stress, burnout and sleep disruption driving repeat visits for regulation-focused services.

Women drive new wellness and longevity models

The report also predicts 2026 will be a pivotal year for women’s wellness, particularly in longevity and physical health.

GWS said longevity models built around male biology are being re-evaluated, with growing focus on female healthspan, hormonal health and strength-based fitness.

This shift is expected to influence diagnostics and preventative care across multiple sectors. For beauty and spa businesses, this trend supports demand for treatments and education tailored to women at different life stages, including menopause, recovery and long-term skin and body health.

What it means for spa and beauty businesses

According to GWS, the wellness market is entering a period of correction, where client prioritise trust, experience and emotional benefit over complexity and optimisation.

This echoes the findings od the recent Positive Luxury report, which asserted that transparency and proof will also define sustainable beauty businesses in 2026.

For UK salon and spa owners, the GWS report suggests opportunities lie in:

• Positioning treatments around long-term skin and wellbeing outcomes
• Emphasising sensory, calming and human-centred experiences
• Integrating nervous system regulation into existing services
• Moving away from “anti-ageing” language towards skin health and longevity

The full Future of Wellness 2026 report is available from the Global Wellness Summit.