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 Government has announced plans to crack down on illegal underage sunbed use, including banning unsupervised sessions and introducing mandatory ID checks as part of its forthcoming National Cancer Plan.

The Scottish Government has published its Non-Surgical Procedures Bill, introducing new safety rules for beauty treatments, including a ban on dermal fillers and strong peels for under-18s and mandatory licensing for certain procedures.

Beauty industry bodies are calling for support after the Government signalled a U-turn on planned business rates increases for pubs, without extending the same relief to salons, barbershops and clinics.

UK beauty salons and spas face a growing credibility challenge in 2026, as new research shows most consumers now distrust sustainability claims without independent proof, while tighter UK regulations place packaging, waste and transparency under greater scrutiny.