November 13, 2025 issue
Hello! Salon owners, thank you for your hard work today.
There was a lot of exciting developments in the industry this week.
Major salons are starting to take care of their staff, and new beauty techniques with scientific backing are emerging. Of particular note are the "practitioner first" movement, which puts the staff first, and the emergence of "next-generation hydrogen beauty," which is scientifically proven.
We will deliver news that may provide hints for future salon management in an easy-to-understand manner.
📰 This week's hot news
1. Karada Factory implements "staff first" work style reform
Karada Factory, a major chiropractic salon chain, has launched a work style reform initiative to value its staff.
Our philosophy is that "in order to provide the best possible service to our customers, it is important that our staff are happy to work."
What are the specific initiatives?
- Improved system to ensure that hard work is properly reflected in salary
- Hair color and nails are allowed (respect your individuality!)
- Easy to work for mothers raising children (shorter working hours are allowed until elementary school graduation)
- Allowing paid leave to be taken for half a day
- Increase annual holidays and reduce overtime hours
Tips for salon management
Every industry is currently experiencing a labor shortage. Whether or not staff feel like they want to work at the salon for a long time determines the growth of the salon.
Even if large-scale reforms are difficult, why not start with what you can do, such as increasing the appointment fee, increasing freedom in hairstyles and nail designs, or making shifts more flexible?
If staff motivation increases, the quality of customer service will naturally improve.
Source: Factory Japan Group Co., Ltd.
2. Scientifically proven "next-generation hydrogen beauty" is here
Amazing J World Co., Ltd. has released "REGEN H2," a beauty product that uses the latest hydrogen technology.
There are three types: supplements, hair oil, and bath additives.
What's so great about it?
It utilizes the power of hydrogen, which has been proven effective in research conducted at Keio University and other institutions. Its effectiveness in defeating the "bad active oxygen" that causes aging in the body lasts for over 24 hours. The hydrogen concentration is also among the highest in the industry, and the product is backed by solid scientific data.
Tips for salon management
Products that are "scientifically proven" rather than "just seem good" have a different persuasive power to customers. This is especially true for customers who are health and beauty conscious.
Bath additives and hair oils are also easy to recommend as home care after treatments, so they are also a good opportunity to increase product sales. You can also reorganize your menu using keywords such as "antioxidant" and "anti-aging"!
Source: Amazing J World Co., Ltd.
3. Research by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare reveals that "the cause of stiff shoulders may not be muscles, but metabolism"
This is surprising. The latest research by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has concluded that the real cause of stiff shoulders and persistent fatigue is not muscle but a decline in the metabolic function of cells.
So what does that mean?
Until now, it has been thought that stiff shoulders can be resolved simply by loosening the muscles, but it turns out that the root cause may actually be a lack of energy at the cellular level (a decrease in metabolism). Do you know any customers who just can't get rid of fatigue no matter how much you massage them? Your metabolism may be the cause.
Tips for salon management
This is a great opportunity! You can change your image from a salon that simply provides massage to one that aims to improve metabolism and activate cells.
for example:
- Incorporating heat therapy and hot stones
- Introducing oxygen capsules and hydrogen inhalation
- New menu item: "Metabolism Promotion Course"
During consultations, if you say, "It's not just muscle fatigue, but your cell metabolism may also be slowing down," your expertise will increase dramatically. As a salon with scientific knowledge, you're sure to gain more trust.
Source: High Altitude Management Co., Ltd.
💡 Management tips you can use today
Here are some things you can do immediately based on this news.
Tip 1: Taking care of your staff means taking care of your customers
"Staff first" does not mean pampering staff. Creating an environment where staff can work for a long time with peace of mind ultimately leads to improved service for customers.
What you can do today:
- Make your efforts visible through salary and evaluations
- Review your grooming rules (respect individuality)
- Be a little more flexible with your shifts
Tip 2: "Scientific evidence" will be the differentiating factor from now on
We live in an age where people want things that are not just "comfortable" but also "proven to be effective." We should proactively adopt technologies and products with scientific data, such as hydrogen beauty products and metabolic improvement products.
What you can do today:
- Adding scientific explanations to existing menu items
- Add evidence-based products to your sales
- Reconsider menu names using keywords such as "antioxidant" and "cell activation"
Tip 3: Talk about metabolism during counseling sessions
"Stiff shoulders may be caused by a slowing of metabolism." This statement will change the trust you receive from your customers. Show your expertise as a salon that is aware of the latest research results.
What you can do today:
- Added metabolic questions to the counseling sheet
- Make time for all staff to learn about "metabolism and fatigue"
- Reviewing existing menus from the perspective of "metabolism improvement"
Conclusion
What I felt from this news is that the entire industry is shifting from "temporary healing" to "real care with scientific evidence."
And there is an accelerating movement to value the staff who provide it.
Change can be scary, but it's also an opportunity. Try one thing at a time.
We hope your salon will become a place that is loved by even more customers!
