Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/618738
www.ascpskincare.com 49 TARGETED TREATMENTS Customization and personalization are driving the trend toward targeted treatments—by age, health condition, gender, and ethnic diversity. These niche markets are providing skin care professionals with a growing clientele. While baby boomers remain the largest target audience for skin care services, look for growth in other age segments, including teens and tweens, millennials, and even children's skin care services. Emerging target markets that address specific conditions such as acne, diabetic skin issues, or rosacea are also fueling demand. The rise in the number of acne treatment skin care clinics is responding to a dual-age demographic of both teens and tweens and menopausal acne. Aging boomers reaching menopause have provided an entirely new market for your services. Individuals undergoing cancer treatment or in survivorship are seeking specialized, community-based skin care services, increasing the demand for skin therapists who are educated and confident in working with them. The male demographic will continue to expand, and the savvy skin care specialist will need to stay on top of this trend. Other niche markets positioned for growth are individuals with global skin or ethnic considerations, ayurvedic services, organic skin care services and treatments, and products using gluten-free, halal, or kosher products. The good news is that skin care specialists have more continuing education, tools, and products available to address these potential niche clients. WHERE WILL YOU WORK? As a skin care professional, your options for employment continue to grow and diversify. Solo skin care studios are on the rise, helped in part by the rapid growth of salon suites that offer an affordable option for those who wish to fly solo. Contract employees in the spa market have declined, according to the ISPA 2015 US Spa Industry Study. This trend toward professionals working as employees rather than contractors is evident across all market segments, including spas, medical spas, resorts, and destination hotels. Options are also growing for those disinterested in going it alone. Businesses now offering skin care services range from dental spas to fitness and wellness studios, big box stores, and beauty retail outlets. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities have expanded services for residents. Health food stores, compounding pharmacies, and even higher- end grocery chains are adding skin care services as a complement to their products and other services. Mobile skin care services are expanding, and, in states that allow it, "house call" mobile services are poised for growth.