Dermalogica partners with Shear Haven to offer anti-domestic violence education to skincare professionals

Dermalogica has partnered with Shear Haven, a charitable initiative that provides anti-domestic violence education to skin care professionals across the UK and Ireland. 

As an official charity partner, Dermalogica will engage its community of skincare professionals by offering Shear Haven’s anti-domestic violence training on both its learning and social media platforms. 

Anti-domestic violence training

The brand will also work alongside Shear Haven’s UK and Ireland ambassadors – European Spa contributing editor Mark Smith and salon business expert Liz McKeon – to ensure that all skincare professionals are taught how to recognise signs of domestic violence and how to respond appropriately.

“Having a well-established reputation in the industry for championing education and skills development, and recognising the importance of human connection for wellbeing, Dermalogica is well placed to share Shear Haven’s invaluable training with their wide industry following,” said a statement from the brand.

Invaluable training

Commenting on the partnership, Candice Gardner, Dermalogica education manager, said: “Knowing how to guide clients and team members to the right support services and professionals when they need it could be life-saving for an individual.” 

“Every skin therapist needs this training, and we are passionate about ensuring that it is easily accessible.”

Liz McKeon, Shear Haven UK & Ireland ambassador added: “My long-term vision is to educate and empower salon professionals to help vulnerable clients and staff, provide a safe environment for victims and hopefully save lives, while recognising the role our amazing industry can play in highlighting the severity of domestic violence in our communities.

“I am honoured and privileged to partner with Dermalogica to work together to help make this vision a reality,” she added.

Shear Haven initiative

Founded in the US in 2017, Shear Haven is a YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee initiative that offers anti-domestic training to spa and salon professionals. It was co-founded by Nashville salon owner and stylist Susanne Post, a domestic abuse survivor herself, with the mission to equip skincare professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to identify signs of domestic violence, manage difficult conversations with clients and signpost available resources to help victims. 

During the pandemic, Post teamed up with disinfection brand Barbicide to offer the Shear Haven training online. To date, more than 50,000 beauty professionals have taken the course worldwide. 

Speaking to European Spa, UK Shear Haven Ambassador and European Spa contributing editor Mark Smith said: “Operating on the wellness front line, therapists are often trusted by their clients and the intimate relationship that clients have with their wellness professionals enables dialogue and guidance that can help people find the right support that they need. Being able to signpost people to the relevant support services is a simple, yet powerful way of making lasting change in people’s lives.”