Development of Beauty Care in Switzerland (1980–2024)
1980s: The First Innovations
The 1980s marked a period of transformation for beauty care in Switzerland. During this decade, Switzerland began to see an increase in beauty-care services, ranging from hairdressing to aesthetic treatments.
Hairdressing: Hairdressing began to become more professional. Hair salons multiplied and modernised, offering increasingly sophisticated cutting, colouring, and styling services. Hair products started to diversify with the arrival of new international brands on the Swiss market.
Aesthetic Treatments: Beauticians became more present in beauty salons and spas. Facial and body treatments—such as skin cleansing, massages, and anti-ageing care—started to gain popularity.
Cosmetic Surgery: Although less common than today, cosmetic surgery began to develop, with procedures such as facelifts and rhinoplasty becoming more accessible.
1990s: Expansion and Diversification
The 1990s saw an expansion and diversification of beauty services in Switzerland.
Hairdressing: International trends strongly influenced styles and techniques. Salons now offered personalised hair services, including in-depth consultations and specialised hair treatments. Hairdresser training became more rigorous, with hairdressing schools offering more advanced programmes.
Aesthetic Treatments: Spa treatments became popular. Therapies such as aromatherapy, thalassotherapy, and mud baths were introduced. Beauticians used more advanced technologies such as lasers for skin treatments.
Cosmetic Surgery: Demand for cosmetic procedures increased. Technologies and techniques improved, making interventions safer and results more natural. Liposuction and breast augmentation became more common.
2000s: The Era of High Technology
The 2000s marked the advent of cutting-edge technologies in the field of beauty care.
Hairdressing: Hairdressers now used high-tech tools such as ceramic straighteners and curling irons. Hair products contained innovative ingredients such as silk proteins and essential oils, promising healthier, shinier results.
Aesthetic Treatments: Non-invasive treatments gained popularity. Technologies such as lasers for permanent hair removal, LED for skincare, and microdermabrasion became common. Spas and wellness centres multiplied, offering complete care experiences.
Cosmetic Surgery: Switzerland became a renowned centre for cosmetic surgery. Minimally invasive techniques developed, making procedures safer and recovery times shorter. Botox and filler injections for facial rejuvenation became very popular.
2010s: The Rise of Personalisation and Sustainability
The 2010s were characterised by increased demand for personalised and sustainable beauty services.
Hairdressing: Hairdressers offered increasingly customised services, tailored to clients’ specific needs. The trend toward natural and organic hair products grew stronger. Hair salons became places of overall well-being, often offering scalp massages and deep hair treatments.
Aesthetic Treatments: Personalised aesthetic treatments were in high demand. Clients sought solutions tailored to their skin type and specific concerns. Technology continued to play a crucial role with advanced treatments such as ultrasound therapies and fractional lasers. Natural and organic skincare products gained popularity.
Cosmetic Surgery: Cosmetic surgery became more mainstream and diversified. Procedures increasingly focused on natural and subtle results. Demand grew for interventions such as “liquid facelifts,” which use filler and botox injections to tighten and rejuvenate the face without surgery.
2020–2024: Innovation and Holistic Integration
The current period is characterised by a holistic integration of beauty care, combining cutting-edge technology with overall well-being.
Hairdressing: Hair salons incorporate overall well-being aspects, offering relaxing environments and complementary services such as nutrition consultations for hair health. Smart technologies, such as connected hair tools, enable real-time personalised care.
Aesthetic Treatments: Aesthetic care continues to evolve with the integration of artificial intelligence and biometric data for ultra-personalised treatments. Holistic care—combining modern techniques with traditional practices such as cosmetic acupuncture—is gaining popularity.
Cosmetic Surgery: Innovations in biotechnology and tissue regeneration are transforming cosmetic surgery. Techniques such as using stem cells for skin regeneration and smart implants that adapt to body movements represent the future of cosmetic surgery in Switzerland. Environmental and ethical concerns are driving increased demand for sustainable and responsible practices.
The development of beauty care in Switzerland from the 1980s to today shows a significant evolution toward more sophisticated, personalised, and sustainable practices. From hairdressing to cosmetic surgery, each sector has innovated to meet changing consumer needs while integrating technological advances and environmental concerns.