How can we improve lighting in hair salons?
In a hair salon, the quality of lighting is even more crucial than in other businesses. Tasks such as haircuts, coloring, or highlighting are performed in this environment, making good lighting essential to respect colors and create a shadow-free space.
A visit to the hair salon doesn't end when the customers leave. It's important that hair colors are presented realistically during the visit so that clients are completely satisfied with the result and return.
In a hair salon, it's necessary to have lighting solutions for specific areas, combining warm and cool light, functional and decorative light sources, thus creating an inviting atmosphere.
We then moved on to explore the lighting solutions that are fundamental in a hair salon.
1. General lighting
For general lighting, we recommend the use of panels, downlights, or track lighting, which provide a base of illumination that allows people to move comfortably. The chosen color temperature is neutral white (4000K–4500K), which provides balanced brightness.
In this general space, we will have the reception and waiting room. These two spaces are usually very close together, and there you can opt for warmer lights, close to 3000K, to create a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. Pendant lights, or decorative lamps, could be an interesting option to match the space's decorating theme.
In this area, we recommend a lighting level of 300 to 500 lux.
2. Lighting of work areas
Washing area
The washing area should convey a sense of calm and well-being to customers, which can be achieved through indirect lighting with warm white light (3000K). However, this space can also be used for some coloring processes. Therefore, adjustable lighting will be the best option, allowing for switching between warm white color temperature (3000K) — the optimal temperature for washing — and cool white (5000-6500K) — the optimal temperature for coloring.
Cutting and coloring zone
The cutting area usually includes a mirror. Homogeneous, diffused, and colorless light ensures a favorable lighting image, making clients look good when they look in the mirror, and reduces shadows, dark circles, and irregularities. In this area, neutral white light (3500-4000K) should be used, which provides a balanced brightness.
The coloring area must be fully illuminated to ensure optimal visual conditions. For careful work, a cool light (5000-6500K), a brightness of at least 500 lux, and excellent color rendering (CRI) of at least 90 are necessary.
The color rendering index (CRI) is the index that measures the fidelity of an artificial light source in reproducing the colors emitted by the sun. The value ranges from 0 to 100, with 100 being the CRI corresponding to 100% reproduction of the sun's colors.
Lamps with a CRI of 90 allow you to see the true hair colors, meaning that the shades are correct on the first coloring attempt, minimizing requests to redo the process.
A CRI of 90 guarantees that the client likes the hair color (or makeup, if applicable) inside the salon and that, when going outside, she/he see the same color.
What types of light fixtures can be used?
Rotating track spotlights can precisely direct the work light onto the client's hair. The correct angle is crucial to avoid distracting shadows. LED panels and downlights are also an excellent alternative.
3. Product lighting
In addition to the services offered in a hair salon, products such as shampoos and hair treatments are usually also available. With proper lighting, these products can be presented in a favorable and attractive way, drawing the attention of customers. To achieve this, it's necessary to create a lighting level that allows for easy reading of prices and descriptions. This requires a high level of illumination. LED projectors can be used for this purpose.
Finally, we will list some items that can be applied to different areas of hairdressing:
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our experts via email at info@wattlamp.net .
