Why We Still Head To The Salon During Uncertain Times
In an unpredictable world, the beauty salon remains a sanctuary. From a fresh blow-dry to a quiet hour of reflection, treatments go beyond skin-deep – they nurture the mind, body and nervous system
Over the past few weeks, conversations across the UAE have understandably been dominated by global events and the regional tension. People feel anxious, distracted, and unsure about what might happen next.
Yet during times like these, something interesting happens inside beauty salons, clinics, hairdressers and spas. The appointments don’t stop. Yes, naturally it would have slowed down temporary for the first couple of days, but it soon bounced back to people continuing to book their treatments.
Hair appointments, facials, brows, nails, aesthetics, the diary remains full. To someone on the outside, this can sometimes raise eyebrows. In moments of global uncertainty, there is often a question that can run through your mind… Should people really still be doing these things?
But after spending over 17 years in the beauty industry, I’ve come to understand something very clearly. Beauty treatments are rarely just about beauty. They are about how we cope, connect, and care for ourselves when the world feels unsettled.
Continuing With “Normal Life”
Human beings crave stability. When the outside world becomes unpredictable, our brains instinctively look for routines that create a sense of safety and normality. Something as simple as keeping a regular salon appointment can provide exactly that.
It’s not about ignoring what’s happening around us. It’s about maintaining the small rituals that remind us that life is still moving forward. Psychologists often talk about the importance of maintaining routine during stressful times. Routine signals to the brain that we are still in control of our environment. It grounds us. It stabilises us. For many women, beauty treatments form part of that routine.
It might be the nail appointment every two weeks, the facial booked once a month, or the regular blow-dry before an important meeting. These moments provide structure, in a time that’s needed the most.
The Mental Health Value of Self-Care
There is also a deeper wellbeing aspect that is often overlooked. In the beauty industry, we see clients come in carrying the weight of busy lives, family responsibilities, work pressures, and everything in between. For many, that hour in the salon chair is the only time in their week where they truly stop. Phones go down. Conversations slow. The outside noise quietens.
This time becomes a moment of self-care, reflection, and reset. When we talk about mental health today, we often focus on large interventions, therapy, wellness retreats, lifestyle changes. But sometimes it’s the smaller moments that help regulate our emotions the most. An hour to pause and a chance to feel looked after instead of us looking after others. A moment to leave feeling refreshed, confident and more like yourself again. All these experiences have a huge impact our mental health, a lot of the time without even realising.
Even now as a huge multi-billion-pound industry, there can still be stigma attached to beauty treatments, particularly during difficult periods. Some people view them as indulgent or unnecessary. But I believe that perspective misses the point entirely. Looking after yourself is not frivolous. In fact, when we feel good about ourselves, we show up differently in our lives. Confidence affects how we interact with others, how we perform at work, and how we manage stress.
Something as simple as freshly done hair, polished nails, or glowing skin can subtly shift how someone carries themselves. It’s not vanity, it’s emotional wellbeing.
Another often overlooked aspect of the beauty industry is the sense of community it creates. Salons are social spaces. They are places where people talk, laugh, share stories, and sometimes even process what’s happening in the world around them. They are a lot of people’s safe spaces. Clients build relationships with their therapists, stylists, and technicians. Over time, those relationships become familiar and supportive. That human connection is something we need now more than ever.
Supporting Local Businesses During Difficult Times
The beauty industry is built on thousands of small and independent businesses, many of them run by women and local entrepreneurs. Salons, clinics, and wellness spaces provide employment, support families, and contribute to the vibrancy of our communities. When people continue to book appointments, they are not just investing in themselves. They are supporting local businesses, keeping teams employed, and helping communities remain resilient during challenging periods. Choosing to show up for your appointment and booking your future appointments, becomes a small but big act of support for that business.
During uncertain times, people cope in different ways. Some turn to exercise, some work more, others just want time with family indoors. For many, beauty treatments are part of that coping mechanism. They offer familiarity and provide connection. They create space to pause, take care of yourself, and forget about the outside world and stresses for a moment.
Most importantly, they remind us that even when the world feels unsettled, there are still small moments of normality we can hold onto. Sometimes, carrying on with the simple rituals of everyday life is exactly what helps us move forward, and face the world.
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