A new trans-awareness course, certified by Habia, has been launched for the spa sector to help teach spa staff how to accommodate, attract and support transgender clients.

Named Trans Awareness for Spas, the programme includes guidance for spa teams on how to manage gender dysphoria during treatments plus how to use the correct pronouns, titles and language in-person and online.

The course will also cover:
• Treatment adjustments.
• Inclusive marketing.
• Managing temporary non-surgical alterations (such as wigs and binders).
• De-gendering services.
• Understanding the needs/expectations of non-binary clients.

The programme was created by trans awareness educator and salon owner Sam Marshall and founder of Hair Has No Gender, Keri Blue.

The duo was moved to create the course in response to discovering that very few transgender people feel comfortable visiting spa settings.

Costing £197 (€235, US$263) per person, Trans Awareness for Spas can be hosted through Zoom or conducted in-house at spas. To register, contact Marshall via email.

Back in 2020, Marshall launched a similar programme designed for salons called Introduction to Trans Awareness for Hair, Nails and Beauty.

This training covers where most people go wrong when it comes to transgender clients and staff, the common mistakes people make and how to implement a new business and marketing strategy to help business thrive.

This introductory course costs £97 (€116, US$130) each and is delivered online over Zoom.

“Every hair and beauty brand, business owner and practitioner should complete trans awareness training and ensure they’re educated to represent, respect and welcome everyone they serve as well as their colleagues and peers," comments Helena Grzesk, chief operating officer at the British Beauty Council.