New data reveals "go-to" destinations for skincare services in UK

Smaller towns and cities have become the "go-to" destinations for skincare services, according to a new study by beauty and wellness marketplace Fresha.

The research counted the number of skincare clinics across all UK areas with a population of at least 100,000—and scaled this against local populations to get a clinic count per 100,000 local residents.

As a result, the research has identified Chelmsford as having the most skincare clinics per capita than any other part of the UK. It is home to 58.1 skincare clinics per 100,000 residents, which is 111% above the national average of 27.5.

Bond Street Chelmsford

In real numbers, the city has 68 skincare clinics, giving it a higher concentration of skincare services relative to the population than anywhere else in the UK.

However, Chelmsford is not alone in its love for skincare. Residents of Peterborough are second on the list, with 50.9 skincare clinics per 100,000 residents. It has 97 clinics in the city, which is 85% above the national average.

Cheltenham is third, with 49.2 skincare clinics per 100,000 residents. The town has 57 clinics in total, placing it 79% above the national average.

Other areas in the UK with the most skincare clinics include Worthing, Glasgow, Bournemouth, Chesterfield, Manchester, London and Southhampton.

Where major cities like Bristol, Birmingham and Leeds didn't make it into the top ten despite their larger populations, the study suggests that smaller towns and cities have proven to be the "go-to" destinations for skincare services.

The findings also revealed the UK cities with the fewest skincare clinics per capita. At the very bottom of the list is Gateshead, with only 2.6 skincare clinics per 100,000 residents—a small fraction of the number in Chelmsford.

After Gateshead is the Welsh city of Swansea, with just 4.1 skincare clinics for every 100,000 residents - significantly lower than the national average of 27.5.

In third place is Basildon, with only 7.8 skincare clinics per 100,000 residents, followed by Oldham, which has 9.8 clinics per 100,000 residents. Rounding out the bottom five is West Bromwich, with 11.6 clinics per 100,000 residents.

Other areas in the UK with the fewest skincare clinics include Newcastle upon Tyne, Gloucester, Blackburn, Kingston upon Hull and Newport.

A spokesperson for Fresha said: "Budding aestheticians and derma specialists should take note of these findings when considering where to open their next clinic, as there is clearly a higher demand for skincare services in certain areas of the UK.

"And in areas with fewer skincare clinics, it could be a great opportunity for someone to establish themselves as the go-to skincare expert."