Regulations and Safety
Compliance is not glamorous, but it protects your clients, your team and your business. This hub tracks the regulations and safety issues that affect UK salons — ingredient bans, allergy and patch-test guidance, advertising rules, licensing and the bodies like the MHRA and CTPA shaping them. We translate official changes into what salons actually need to do, and flag emerging risks before they become problems. If you want to run a safe, compliant salon without wading through legalese, this is the place to keep watch.
50 articles
Henkel invests €45m in warehouse amid regulatory and retail shifts
Henkel invests €45m in a new Düsseldorf warehouse as the beauty industry navigates increased regulatory checks and evolving retail strategies.
ASA Cites Small Samples, No Controls in Beauty Pie LED Mask Ruling
ASA bans Beauty Pie's "clinically proven" wrinkle reduction claim for its LED mask due to insufficient, methodologically flawed evidence.
Diabetic Foot Care: Salons Must Adapt Pedicure Practices
Six percent of the UK population has diabetes, requiring nail technicians to adapt pedicure practices for client safety and well-being.
Diabetes and Pedicures: Nail Techs Must Check for Foot Issues
Six percent of UK adults have diabetes, impacting foot health and requiring specific care during pedicures for nail technicians.
EU Outlines Plan to End Animal Testing for Chemicals
The EU has released a roadmap to phase out animal testing for chemical safety assessments by 2029, with a new scientific framework and updated regulations.
Superdrug drops Ahava over West Bank settlement ingredient concerns
Superdrug removed Ahava products after evidence suggested ingredients were processed at an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank.
CTPA Offers Free Sustainability Guide to UK Beauty Firms
The CTPA has released a free digital handbook, 'Navigating a Volatile World', to guide UK beauty firms on sustainability.
Wig Services Demand Technical Rigour Equal to Traditional Hair
Celebrity stylist Keisha Moore asserts wig services demand technical expertise equal to traditional hairdressing, highlighting a gap in training and product development.
Color Cosmetics: Performance, Trust, and Sustainability Key for 2026
Colour cosmetics in 2026 will prioritise performance and reliability, with transparency and sustainability as key consumer expectations.
India tightens rules on aesthetic treatments amid market growth
India's government is increasing oversight of its fast-growing aesthetic treatment sector amid surging demand for cosmetic procedures.
UK Consumers Push for Clearer Beauty Ingredient Information
Britons show mounting concern over cosmetic ingredients, with 61% worried about safety and actively seeking transparent brands.
Parliamentary Report Urges UV Safety Strategy for UK Salons
A parliamentary report outlines a national UV safety strategy, recommending VAT cuts on sunscreen and better education amid rising melanoma cases.
Beauty Sector's Legal Battles: From Trademarks to Safety Recalls
Legal disputes over trademarks, licensing, and product safety are increasingly shaping the beauty industry, with significant financial and reputational implications.
Salon Payment Processing: Fees, Features, and Business Pitfalls
Integrated payment processing systems offer crucial revenue protection and operational efficiency for UK salons. Key features like card-on-file and deposit collection can recover thousands annually.
BHC Urges MPs for Tax Reform Amid Sector Decline
The British Hair Consortium (BHC) is campaigning for tax reform, urging industry professionals to contact their MPs due to employment decline and new tax regulations.
REVAMP Wig Bank Offers Free Restored Wigs to Those in Need
REVAMP Wig Bank, in partnership with Hair Reborn, offers free, restored human hair wigs to individuals with medical hair loss.
Salon Owner: Apprenticeships Build Skill and Fresh Ideas
Urban Hair & Beauty owner Marlene Lamont details how apprenticeships bring fresh skills, support senior staff, and foster innovation in salons.
Nail Allergy Prevention: CTPA Expert Shares 7 Safety Steps
CTPA's Caroline Rainsford provides 7 essential steps for UK nail pros to prevent acrylate allergies from gel and acrylic treatments.
Beauty Brands Face Scrutiny on Claims, Marketing, and Finances
Beauty brands face increased scrutiny on marketing claims and brand partnerships, alongside mixed financial results and significant corporate restructuring.
ASA faults La Roche-Posay on claim substantiation clarity
The ASA has ruled that La Roche-Posay failed to make verification of its 'No.1 dermatologist recommended' claim clear and accessible to consumers.
Remi Cachet Backs British Beauty Council Push for Standards
Hair extension brand Remi Cachet becomes a Patron of the British Beauty Council, with founder Victoria Lynch joining the Hair Committee.
Free Allergy Training for Hair Professionals Launched
Free one-hour online allergy awareness courses are available for UK hairdressers from April 22-28, offered by TrichoCare Education and Colourstart.
Global Regulators Tighten Grip on Beauty Industry Standards
Global regulators are introducing stricter rules for the beauty industry, focusing on safety, ingredients, and advertising claims across various regions.
Free £10K Allergy Course for Hair Pros
TrichoCare Education and Colourstart offer free £10,000 worth of online allergy awareness courses for hair professionals April 22-28, 2026.
Morovan Gel Polish Remover Recalled Due to Banned Chemicals
Morovan gel polish remover recalled by FDA due to banned, hazardous chemicals methylene chloride and chloroform.
Beauty Supply Chain Faces Cost Hikes and Innovation Push
Beauty supply chains are transforming, with rising costs, regulatory pressures, and a strong push for innovation in sustainability and wellness.
MHRA Investigates Peptide Clinics for Unlawful Health Claims
The MHRA is investigating UK clinics for making unlawful health claims about experimental peptide therapies, citing a lack of evidence.
Italian Watchdog Questions Sephora, Benefit Over Child Marketing
Italian regulators are investigating Sephora, Benefit Cosmetics, and LVMH for potentially marketing adult beauty products to children, some under 10.
HEMA in Nail Products: No UK Ban Confirmed
No ban on HEMA in UK professional nail products is planned, despite social media rumours. Experts confirm current regulations remain in place.
Age-Defying Haircuts: Salon Insights on Youthful Styles
Experts highlight that shoulder-length layers, lobs, and curtain bangs can create a more youthful appearance by adding softness and movement.
Nail Product Quality Hinges on Ingredients, Safety, and Support
High-quality nail products deliver expected results and client satisfaction, underpinned by ingredients, safety, and regulatory compliance.
GB bans TPO in nail products from August 2026
Great Britain bans TPO in nail products from August 2026, impacting manufacturers, suppliers, and technicians.
Toray's Biodegradable Microparticle Tech Aids Cosmetic Compliance
Toray Industries' new bio-based biodegradable microparticles offer cosmetic brands a compliant alternative to plastic ingredients. Production scales up by March 2029.
Pat McGrath Labs to Restructure Under GDA Luma Capital Management
Pat McGrath Labs will cede majority control to GDA Luma Capital Management in a bankruptcy restructuring deal.
Vanderbilt Minerals Bankruptcy: Talc Lawsuits Hit $117M
Vanderbilt Minerals filed for bankruptcy due to over 1,400 talc lawsuits, with costs reaching $117.2 million.
Wella Company Eyes US Stock Market Float by KKR
KKR is preparing Wella Company, owner of OPI and Wella Professionals, for a US IPO, with investment banks advising on a valuation potentially exceeding $4.3 billion.
Beauty Sector Faces Consolidation, Sustainability Push
Dove's refillable antiperspirant launch and AS Watson's plastic reduction target highlight sustainability efforts amid sector consolidation and evolving retail strategies.
Salon Owners on Navigating 2026: Adaptability is Key
Salon owners Casey Coleman, Andrea Dorata, and Charles Rose discuss business safety in 2026, stressing adaptation, community, and evolving employment models.
Beauty Tech Integration Accelerates Beyond 2026
Beauty tech innovations at CES 2026 demonstrate technology now leads the industry, influencing everything from product design to consumer trust.
Bangle Nails: 3D Trend Forges Ahead in 2026
Bangle nails, a 3D jewellery-inspired trend for 2026, offer customisation but require precise application by technicians.
Hair Extensions: Treat as Core Skill, Not Luxury Add-on
Marlene Lamont argues hair extensions are a core hairdressing skill, vital for inclusivity and client confidence, not just a luxury add-on.
Saks Global CEO Replaced Amid Bankruptcy Speculation
Marc Metrick has resigned as CEO of Saks Global, replaced by Richard Baker amidst speculation of a potential bankruptcy.
Nail Tech Wellbeing: Lighting, Fumes, and Posture Advice
Nail technicians must prioritise wellbeing through better lighting, fume protection, and posture adjustments to maintain career longevity and work quality.
2025: AI Dominates Beauty Tech Amid Stricter Rules
2025 saw AI, immersive commerce, and automation become core beauty industry infrastructure, while regulation and cybersecurity risks grew.
UK Beauty Firms Face Rising Court Cases in 2025
2025 saw a surge in beauty sector lawsuits over data, safety, marketing, and market power, making legal risk a core operational issue for UK firms.
Cosmetics Trade Body Wins Award for Consumer Safety Work
The CTPA has won a Business Hero Award for its extensive work supporting Trading Standards and consumer safety in the cosmetics industry.
Nail Techs Over-Filing Causes 'Rings of Fire', Experts Warn
Red rings on nails, or 'rings of fire', are caused by improper filing techniques leading to thinned nail plates.
ÜLKA's UK Push: Safer Nail Tech Workspaces for 2025
Ukrainian brand ÜLKA is pushing for safer nail tech workspaces in the UK, sponsoring Nailympia London to champion technician health.
Facial Filler Safety: Should Ultrasound Be Standard Practice?
New research reveals serious vascular risks with facial fillers, prompting calls for ultrasound use. What does this mean for UK aesthetic businesses?
Beauty Businesses: How a Global Data Breach Affects Your Salon
A massive global data breach highlights the critical need for UK beauty businesses to prioritise client data security and maintain trust.