29th November 2023
I have just recently been introduced to Schwarzkopf Professional’s SalonLab by the global education manager responsible for the concept.
Mai-Lan Nguyen Huu took me through a virtual presentation of this fascinating new development in the world of haircare. It’s not new as in just launched, but new as in the latest edition of the equipment.
Over my many years of being involved with products companies I have seen quite a few ‘hair scanners’; cameras that show the condition of the hair structure through a camera placed on the lengths of the hair and then projected onto a screen. Cumbersome and clumsy, with imagery that didn’t really suggest anything; at the most what you saw was a strip of something (hair) illuminated by the camera’s light that hairdressers had to try and explain to their clientele. Whilst the concept was great, the reality was the equipment never lived up to the expectations, and the concepts faded away without creating any lasting impact on the professional haircare world.
But SalonLab (https://www.salonlab-server.de/en-GB/)is very different, this technologically advanced scanner reads the inner structure of the hair from roots to ends and gives a reading of the inner hair strength in 3 stages, roots, mid lengths and ends. Better than that, it shows you visually on the app that accompanies the handheld device the measurements it takes, giving an overall inner strength score. Even better than that, it also recommends the best treatments to help restore and repair the hair, and then shows the % improvement after the treatment has been applied. SalonLab then goes another step further and recommends the best products for home use … with the option to add and (or) remove /change the selection, giving hairdressers total control over the products clients take away with them.
Schwarzkopf Professional state:
“The Smart Analyzer measures the breakage of naturally occurring original bonds inside the hair and measures the ‘Base Inner Hair Strength’. Haircare products can create and maintain new bonds when used regularly, therefore for salon clients on subsequent salon visits, the hair assessment ‘Complete Inner Hair Strength’ can be measured, which represents the inner strength of the hair after product use”.
Regular readers of this blog will know that my current craze (actually it’s been an obsession for a while now) is the concept of bespoke haircare, products that are truly unique for each individual client. There are brands out there that salons can buy into that have their own labelling on which adds kudos to every recommendation. It’s a great concept and one that talks to the desire for more personalised experiences in hairdressing salons.
With SalonLab&Me (https://www.salonlabandme.com/gb/en.html) Schwarzkopf Professional takes this concept to a new level. Salons have the opportunity to offer unique bespoke products personalised with the client details on the labels. Salons submit the information from the Smart Analyzer to Schwarzkopf Professional and the products are sent out direct to the client’s home address. For me this is a truly amazing step forward as it most definitely fits the narrative of ‘just for me’, what could be more personalised than products that have your very own name on the label?
It’s fair to say that there is an investment that needs to be made to be able to offer SalonLab as a service within salons, but for those who are serious about in-salon treatment services and home care, and passionate about delivering the ultimate service whilst improving the condition of client’s hair, then SalonLab is the ultimate tool to help you achieve this.
Personally, I am mightily impressed with the concept as a complete, holistic programme, and would highly recommend anyone who is interested to get in touch with their Schwarzkopf Professional representative because my words simply cannot do this revolutionary concept the justice it deserves.
