Still remember your first visits to a beautician in the 1990s or early 2000s? The quiet, cosy office, often in a converted flat. The smell of an algae mask mixing with the scent of hair removal wax. Relaxing music in the background. Henna, manual cleansing, facial massage - it was the height of luxury and synonymous with looking after yourself.
And now?
Enter a modern cosmetology practice. Instead of relaxing music, the steady sound of lasers is often heard. The walls are adorned with certificates on the operation of advanced apparatus. The conversation is no longer just about „moisturising”, but about „fibroblast stimulation”, „collagen remodelling”, „hydrolipid barrier” and „synergy of combination therapies”.
What has happened in the Polish beauty industry over the past two decades is not an evolution. It is a revolution.
As a brand that lives the industry and supports professionals on a daily basis, we want to take you on a journey through this remarkable transformation. How did the „lady Gienia” become the „lady cosmetologist-scientist”? And how did the outfit have to keep up with this change?
Pillar 1: „Yesterday” - Era of Relaxation and Craftsmanship
The memorable turn-of-the-century study was the site of a care and crafts.
Who was the „Beautician”?
She was primarily an artisan, a graduate of a cosmetic college or specialised courses. Her main weapons were her hands (for massage and cleansing), her knowledge of basic ingredients (algae, clays, fruit acids in low concentrations) and simple equipment (vapozone, darsonval).
What did the client expect?
The customer came for relaxation and basic care. The aim was to take a moment for oneself, to moisturise, to cleanse. The treatments were pleasant and the effect visible, but they rarely interfered with the deeper structures of the skin.
It was a world of manual mastery.
Pillar 2: Catalyst for Change - Internet and „Skintellectualism”
What triggered the revolution? Two factors: technology and... informed customer.
The advent of blogs, online forums, and later Instagram and YouTube, triggered the phenomenon of „skintellectualism”. Customers stopped being passive. They started to read ingredients (INCI). They learned what retinol, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C were.
Suddenly, the „algae mask” was no longer enough. Clients started coming to the practice with a specific problem and knowledge: „I read about fractional laser for scars”, „Will this treatment rebuild collagen?”, „What technology do you have to combat oval loss?”.
This change has forced surgeries to take a giant leap in competence and technology. Those who stayed with henna and algae have gone out of business.
Pillar 3: „Today” - The Era of Science, Technology and E-E-A-T
The modern cosmetology practice or aesthetic medicine clinic is now a high-tech laboratory. What was once the domain of dermatology has now become standard in cosmetology.
Evolution of the Professional: From Beautician to Cosmetologist
This is the most important change. The market has forced the emergence of university degree in cosmetology, often at medical universities. Today's cosmetologist is a specialist with a three- to five-year degree who has studied not only anatomy and dermatology, but also cosmetic chemistry, biophysics, immunology and pharmacology.
He understands how the laser interacts with the tissue, what biochemical processes occur in the skin after the stimulator is administered and how to put together a multi-month rosacea treatment plan in collaboration with a dermatologist.
Evolution of Hardware: Cosmos in the Cabinet
An investment in a modern practice today represents hundreds of thousands of złot. The standard has become:
- Fractional lasers (ablative and non-ablative): For radical skin remodelling, scar removal and rejuvenation.
- HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound): Focused ultrasound technology for non-invasive facelift.
- Radiofrequency (RF) Micro-needling: A combination of micropuncture and radiofrequency for spectacular skin thickening effects.
- Carboxytherapy, Endermology, Cryolipolysis: Advanced technologies for body shaping.
The Evolution of Treatment: From Relaxation to Therapy
The client no longer comes „for a facial”. He comes for therapy. Modern cosmetology is based on combination therapies (e.g. chemical peel first, then mesotherapy) and long-term treatment plans (beauty plans), spread over 6-12 months and combined with strict home care.
Pillar 4: A New Professional Requires a New Uniform
And here we come to the heart of the revolution that is closest to us.
Think about it. Can a specialist who has just graduated from medical school, operates a 150,000 zł laser and lays out a chemical skin therapy look like a 1990s „Mrs Gienia”?
Absolutely not.
Image has become a key element of authority building (E-E-A-T). The client, when paying 1000 zł for a treatment, must feel that he is in the hands of an expert. The outfit is the first message he receives.
The old cotton apron is gone. Its place has been taken by professional clothing, which must fulfil three new functions:
Psychological Function (Authority and Aesthetics)
In the beauty industry, aesthetics is everything. The customer subconsciously judges whether a cosmetologist's attire is clean, modern and stylish.
Cosmetic tunichas ceased to be a shapeless bag. It has become a fashion item. Slim-fitting cuts, modern necklines (e.g. V-neck or envelope necklines), asymmetrical fastenings and a wide range of colours (from sterile white to medical navy blue to fashionable pastels) have become the hallmark of the practice.- Modern
cosmetic tunicshe communicates: „I'm professional, I pay attention to detail, I'm modern and I know what I'm doing.”.
2. Ergonomic function (Physical work comfort)
The work of a cosmetologist is hard physical work. 8-10 hours on your feet. Leaning over the patient. Precise hand movements at the laser. Changing positions.
- Flexibility: The outfit must not restrict movement. Therefore, the following have become standard
cosmetic trousersmade of fabrics with added elastane (lycra). They must „work” with the body. - Cut: is king joggers. Why. They are looser at the hips (comfort) but tapered at the bottom (professional look, the leg doesn't get tangled by the gear).
- Breathability: Working under stress, under a warm treatment lamp. The material must be breathable (which is why high-quality viscose in blends is so valuable) and not be „plastic armour”.
3 Hygiene function (Safety)
This is the foundation. The garment needs to be a barrier, but it also needs to be washable frequently at the right temperatures without losing colour or cut. Modern polyester-viscose fabrics are much more durable and easier to decontaminate than the pure cotton of the 1990s.
Pillar 5: Przyszłość - Hyper-Personalisation and Holistics
The revolution is not slowing down. What lies ahead?
- Genetic Cosmetology: Treatments selected on the basis of skin DNA testing.
- Hyper-Personalisation: Creams and therapies created „bespoke” for a specific client.
- A Holistic Approach: The cosmetologist becomes a life counsellor. He or she understands that skin condition is linked to diet, stress, supplementation and hormonal management. Collaboration with a nutritionist, endocrinologist and mental coach will become standard.
In this przyszłity, the role of the expert cosmetologist will only grow. And with it, the expectations of his or her professionalism.
Summary: From Craft to Science
The path that Polish cosmetology has taken is from craftsmanship to science. From relaxation to therapy. From intuition to technology.
At Scrabme, we are proud to be part of this revolution. We are watching the competence of our female customers grow and are in awe of their investment in knowledge and equipment. Our mission is to ensure that their image - their workwear - keeps up with this competence. Because professionalism deserves a professional setting.
When choosing a beauty salon, don't just look at the price. Pay attention to the specialist's knowledge, hygiene standards and equipment. Trust professionals who continually invest in their development.
And if you yourself are the expert who pushes the industry forward - your outfit is your calling card. Check out our collection Scrabme cosmetic clothing. We have created it so that your cosmetic tunic i cosmetic trousers were a reflection of your authority, comfort and style.
