Hi guys, this will probably spark comments but I often sit and wonder (and no I am not ageist), how long I could feasibly work as a beautician?

I am 30 now and absolutely love my job, love working for myself etc but I wonder sometimes about retraining into something in case after so many years no-one wants an "older" beautician.

Hopefully it won't come to that and I could expand into education, or maybe have a salon of my own,

This thought was brought on by a hairdresser who once said she was giving it up as she didn't want to be a hairdresser who was "past it".

Personally I thought it was silly but everyone's opinion is different but it has had me thinking about my career length as a beauty therapist ever since. of course if there is one but personally I don't think there would be.

I wondered if anyone else had this thought or worry - the beauty therapy industry is fairly new in comparison to something like teaching, but it is a huge growth market and I am sure we will be employable until we reach retirement.

What are your thoughts?

the beautician i use (who is also a client of mine) is in her early 40's, very competent and busy. there is another beautician that i know of locally who is in her early 60's, she is busy with clients too. personally i believe it comes down to expertise, if you're good at your job then who cares how old you are?
that's my take on it anyway

That's good to know, it is also my opinion that age doesn't matter, but in a world of vanity I do worry sometimes...

nails are in the same category IMO, look at the number of peeps who are technicians into their 40's, 50's and beyond, if we're capable of cutting the mustard (so to speak) then age shouldn't be an issue.

Hi Vicky,

Funnily enough I was thinking about this just yesterday.

I agree with Sandi, I really do believe that f you are still compatent in what you do and still find it enjoyable then why not continue to practice.

In my old salon there was therapist that was 50+and she was brilliant. Well up for any treatment, any extra training and had such a way with the clients. No one could believe her age and because she was always so full of energy she looked youthful.

You know what i dont think there is a age limit as long as you feel happy in what you are doing its fine, i mean your age doesnt affect your work does it? x

I think if you keep ' up to date' then you will always be in demand .....and you will always have clients as long as you are happy in what you are doing....because the moment you are no longer happy the clients will feel it.....and they will choose to go eles where .So I don't think age has anything to do with it .....IMO

I'm only 16 ...I'll be 16 for another 11 years, when my 7 year old will be 18, then I have to have a birthday and be 17....I might be done with birthdays then and stick with 17 for quite a while!!!

If you take care of your health, as in eating properly (yes, this is hard and it doesn't mean that we scarf 3 Krispy Kremes and a cup of coffee between clients) it means we have to plan ahead and book time for a balanced meal. (with fruits and vegetables) It also means getting adequate rest (no more nail geek at midnight, and I know you all do because some of you are still on when I have time, usually around 3:30 or 4:00 in the afternoon which makes it 1:30 or 2:00 in the AM...) and last but not least the DREADED excersize...ugh!! (I'm not as good about this one as I should be, but I still fit a little in, even if it's just a walk around the building at lunchtime.)

If you take care of your body and don't wear it out, you'll have many, many years of enjoyment and sucess in this industry. For those of you who think teaching is easy, you've lost a marble or two....I work harder to keep my students interested and excited about what they are learning than I ever did when I worked in the salon. I have the privlage of working with people who have been in the industry for almost 40 years and we still have lots to learn. Each of us makes up a special part of the team so that we are rounded and give the students the best each of us has to offer.

When your "body" wears out, your mind has lots to offer, you are only as young as you feel, and like I said I'm only 16!!!

sorry - but give me a break - in my opinion - the older you get the more experience you get and the better you get,(if this is your vocation) look at geeg, she is the pinacle of the industry and she helps so many peeps, alot of clients prefer the older therapist as they feel (in my opinion again) that they have the more experience and are more commited than those that have just come out of college (and rightly so) and half of them are still wet behind the ears. i would hate to think that i was PAST IT, cos i aint, society seems to think that peeps are past it when they reach a certain age - not true, im hoping im still doing nails when im 80...........................cos i can because ill always be ahead of everyone else with my education

Imho age can be a factor that makes your client feel more at ease,who wants to get their kit off in front of an 18 year old,not me anyway.
Just my opinion,hth x

I totally agree Becki, people can feel more comfortable with a more mature therapist and this is something my clients used to talk to me about when I was doing their treatments. I began my career when I was in my thirties and did wonder if I was too old to be starting something new within the beauty industry but found it to be the complete opposite. I totally enjoy what I do and if you are happy and confident in your work this passes on to those around you.

If bordeom has set in then its time to look for a change, and many people will find they are ready for a change after 10 years or so of doing the same job. As we approach a new decade, be it turning 20, 30, 40 or 50 , it is perfectly normal to have a think about re routing our path in life.

I also wonder how many therapists find it difficult to return to work when they have small children as it is not the best paid industry to be in and was a certainly a big factor in why I didn't start my training years ago.

Anyway, thats my input for the morning, have a lovely day and keep smiling !!

Mandy x

Thanks for your replies,I hope I haven't offended anyone this wasn't my intention at all.

I have to say I agree with you all, age is not a factor as long as you are trained, have the energy and have a passion for what you do. It's just some people look at things negatively which can have you thinking I suppose.. anyway enough of the negative bug I will be doing this when I retire most probably, that is if I have the passion for it as I do now...

I think age does matter.

Older therapists are welcomed with open arms if they're considered specialists...............say in facials or body treatments. However, if it's something to do with trends, i.e. make-up, hair etc, generally, clients prefer a much younger person.

Although I'm 47, I'm still guilty of this myself. I had my hair coloured yesterday and my heart sank when I got the stylist who was my age as opposed to the girl in her 20's. Yeah, yeah, I know that my lady had twice as much experience but the fact was that she wasn't as on the ball. The younger girl was much quicker and seemed more confident.

My friend sees it in her salon all the time. The young girl who waxes is booked out all day although she isn't as good as the older lady.

You look in any salon and I bet you can count on one hand the therapists who are over 40 (if any).

Depressed????? Yeah..............tell me about it.

If you've got a solid client base and you keep learning new techniques, I don't think it will make any difference how old you are. If you produce beautiful enhancements when you are in your twenties, theres no reason they wouldn't be even more beautiful in your fifties.

When I book my CACI in a salon I always ask how long the person had been trained, I always try to book with the older more experienced therapist, as having worked alongside a lot of young therapists in a salon, | often found they were more interested in chatting on their mobiles and gossiping about the night before than their clients, they would get in late with a hangover and rush their treatments so they could nip to top shop, this attitude only lasted about a year, then the girls either settled down, gained confidence and became very professional or they gave up altogether.

But I am not ageist as I have the rest of my treatments done by a young girl who has just turned 21, she was one of these girls that i worked with, but she is now a brilliant therapist with her own salon.