AI & The Beauty Industry
With the rise of AI and automation, where routine and mundane jobs will be automated, it is more important than ever to secure a role where you can learn and develop. Choose your next company not just based on salary, working hours, and culture, but also on its reputation and appetite for innovation. The next 10 years will look very different, and we must start upskilling ourselves. Start with the skills that you have and go from there.
If you are currently providing purely waxing services, upskill to a Level 4 laser and IPL qualification as this will remain in demand. Traditional nail technician roles will be replaced by Smart Nail Techs who will supervise 3D printers, adjust the print files, and apply the topcoat that will be a post-print coating. There will be a move to nail health analytics where digital sensor wraps will analyse the health of your nails and prescribe the best treatment. To future-proof your career, enrol in a 3D Nail Tech course where you learn to convert 2D sketches into 3D art.
Will a facialist’s job be impacted by AI and robotics? Yes, 100%. If you are currently working as a Beauty Therapist or Facial expert, you can expect your role to change to an interpreter of AI data. Currently, you might say to your client that you notice their skin is quite dehydrated, but in the future, you will say that the AI scan shows a 20% moisture deficit in their periorbital area. You will then prescribe a customised treatment, or AI will suggest exactly which active blend to use to combat the dryness. Robotic arms with soft silicone tips will perform manual lymphatic drainage moves or Gua Sha routines. The robots will excel at precision and repeatability, but you will have to calibrate the pressure, monitor the client, and handle nuances in such a delicate area.
Next upskilling steps: learn how to use AI-powered skin analysis tools confidently. Ensure their measurements are accurate, and then use those reliable insights to create fully customised skincare treatments for your clients. Your role will shift from a Facialist to a Skin Architect.
Key takeaway: Start by upskilling to future-proof your career.
Original material written by Linda Hill
- Author: Beauty Therapist to Entrepreneur
- Founder: Linda Hill Recruitment