The permanent hair removal market in France

Permanent hair removal is an increasingly popular method of permanently eliminating hair from various parts of the body, for both men and women. It can be performed on various parts of the body, including the face, legs, underarms and pubic area. Each part of the body is classified according to "zones", as they may have a longer or shorter elimination process.

There are two types of method for permanent hair removal:

laser hair removal

pulsed light hair removal

Both of these techniques require several sessions to completely destroy the hair bulb, which is why they are known as "long-lasting hair removal". Permanent hair removal is equally suitable for men and women, although there is an age constraint: it is preferable towait until the subject is18 to begin the procedure, to ensure complete hormonal maturation.

The rise of permanent hair removal is part of a more general trend of increasing attention to physical appearance in our society. Today, aesthetic treatments play a major role in French people's spending, amounting to almost €240 a month for face and body care, of which hair removal is a part.

However, until recently, this market was partly limited by legal constraints. Indeed, laser hair removal procedures were exclusively reserved for medical professionals, notably dermatologists and certain trained practitioners. For a long time, this medical monopoly, introduced in the interests of safety and control, represented a barrier for many beauty salons and specialized centers, preventing them from offering this service directly to their customers.

With new legislation coming into force in May 2024, this situation has changed. The French authorities have decided to relax regulations, putting an end to the medical monopoly on laser hair removal. From now on, beauty centers and specialized institutes, subject to specific training and strict certification, can offer laser treatments.

This legislative change has opened up new prospects for market players, enabling them to develop their offer and respond even more effectively to growing demand, while making services even more accessible in terms of price and geographical reach. This new legislation will also enable innovation, with new methods such as high-frequency hair removal.