How to start a beauty salon in Dubai?

How to start a beauty salon in Dubai?

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As a country known for its luxury and style, the UAE presents numerous promising opportunities for entrepreneurs. The personal grooming industry of the United Arab Emirates is booming with both men and women having a high demand. So, you can start a beauty salon in Dubai to enhance the natural personality of the customers.

An average beauty salon in Dubai has a profit margin of 35% to 50% after expenses and staff salaries. However, it indicates the need for professional management of the beauty parlor. Skillful beauticians ensure excellent adorning services and full customer satisfaction.

Expatriates can capitalize on fulfilling the growing demand for high-end beauty services in the UAE. The global hub status and luxurious lifestyle make Dubai an attractive location for foreign investors. This guide provides essential information for getting a business license to launch a successful beauty salon in Dubai.

Reasons for investing in beauty studio setup in Dubai

The UAE has a high GDP per capita, growing affluent consumer population, and demand for luxury and high-end living. As a business and tourism hub, Dubai is an ideal city for opening new beauty studios. With the rising need of beauty services, Dubai offers an attractive market for salon entrepreneurs.

Dubai’s regulatory environment is favorable, with options for establishing salons in the mainland and free zones. The cosmopolitan population and growing craze for salon and wellness services make Dubai a perfect place for personality grooming businesses. Moreover, flexible business policies of Dubai provide access to professional beauticians and diverse customer base.

Keep in mind, the UAE is one of the safest and richest countries on the planet earth. If you are thinking of launching a beauty salon center in Dubai, this is the best time do to so. With a beauty salon setup in Dubai, you can make people pretty and get rich at the same time.

Process to register a beauty salon business in Dubai

Select the best location for your beauty center setup in the UAE. You can opt from Dubai mainland or free trade zone for providing your beautification services. This is the step-by-step procedure to launch a beauty salon in Dubai.

  • Decide on a trade name that follows government guidelines and is not offensive.
  • Finalize the jurisdiction for your salon, as it will determine the authority where you submit your documents.
  • Acquire initial approval from the chosen jurisdiction authority, such as the Department of Economic Development (DED) for mainland Dubai.
  • Otherwise, you have to get initial approval from any suitable free zone authority in Dubai, UAE.
  • Rent a salon space, ensuring it meets government criteria and has an attractive setup.
  • Leasing a shop can help reduce the cost of a salon setup, in comparison to owning it.
  • Submit your visa and passport copy to the authority overseeing your salon location.
  • Complete the salon license application within 24 hours, ensuring all legal documents are accurate and meet rules and regulations.
  • Remember that a professional license is necessary for starting a salon business in Dubai, as this is a skill-based business.
  • Renew the trade license every year to keep it valid.

Requirements for opening a beauty parlor in Dubai

It is essential to research the regulatory requirements for opening a beauty parlor in Dubai.

  • Business name
  • Trade license
  • Approved location by the Dubai Municipality (DM)
  • Federal and state Tax Ids
  • Licensed contractors
  • Certificate Of occupancy
  • Insurance

Beauty salons must have drawers and cupboards for client towels, a water heater, and a washbasin for facial treatments. Also, a signboard outside indicating the business, well-ventilated premises, clean and strong furniture is necessary. A special area for other treatments like hair removal, pedicure, henna designing, and manicure is ideal. There is a recommendation of a height of over 2.30m between the floor and ceiling for the beauty parlor.

Types of beauty salons in Dubai

There are two kinds of beauty salons in Dubai, and across the UAE.

Now, we briefly look upon these classifications of beauty salon setups in Dubai.

Ladies Salon

A ladies salon holds a license for providing beautification, hair care, henna services, and cosmetic treatments. Women’s hair care services include hair washing, hair trimming, hair setting, hair straightening, hair waving, hair coloring, and hair fixing. Cosmetic treatments include makeup and skin cleansing, skin hair removal, facial aesthetics, foot care, nail manicures, and treatment.

Men’s Salon

A men’s salon has a license for delivering gents’ hairdressing services. For example, hair cutting, hair trimming, hair waving, hair dyeing, hair straightening, hair setting up, shaving, supporting hair strength, etc. Special-purpose gent’s salons offer gentlemen’s grooming services like facial massages as well.

Cost of setting up a beauty salon business in Dubai

Beauty salon setup in Dubai requires careful budgeting including initial investment, licensing and registration fee, and monthly operational costs. Depending on the beauty salon’s size and services, licensing can cost between AED 10,000 and AED 30,000. Renting a salon at a prime location can increase operational expenses, with rental costs starting at around AED 100,000 annually.

Initial costs include beauty salon license fee, lease/rental expenditure, furniture, equipment, interior design, branding, etc.

Conclusion

The growing beautification industry of the UAE is ready to embrace new entrants. Expat personal grooming experts can incorporate a beauty salon in Dubai. Get ready to make your mark in the stylish market of Dubai, and throughout the UAE.

Start your salon in Dubai with a professional consultation with KWS Middle East right now. Regular monthly expenses include staff salaries, utilities, product inventory, and marketing efforts. Foreign staff, such as hairdressers and beauticians, require work visa that the salon owner provides.

FAQs about the beauty industry in the UAE

These are the answers to the frequently asked questions about the beauty market in the UAE.

What are the biggest trends in the UAE’s beauty industry?

The beauty industry of the UAE is undergoing significant changes due to key trends. For instance, AI, generation alpha, personalization, body care, potent plant ingredients, growing social media, etc. Considerations like sustainability and climate change are transforming the UAE’s beauty landscape.

Which are the challenges of the UAE’s beauty sector?

The beauty sector of the UAE poses significant environmental challenges for businesses, people, and the authorities. For example, resource depletion, ocean damage, wildlife harm, micro-plastic production, etc. Taking care of the packaging waste is the most significant issue.

What is the future of the UAE’s beauty landscape?

Experts predict that the beauty landscape of the UAE will prioritize comfort and emotional well-being. So, it will emphasize sensorial experiences and simpler times in ingredients, textures, and cosmetic products. Everybody likes to look handsome, keeping the beauty salons and grooming centers in high demand in Dubai.

How many beauty salons are there in Dubai?

With over 3000 beauty centers, Dubai is a top destination for personal grooming and self-care. Also, there are some of top hairstyling centers which are popular around the world. In case, we include Spa businesses in Dubai, then the collective number goes to 5500.

What is missing in the Dubai’s beauty industry?

The color cosmetics industry in Dubai did face a decline in 2019 due to the lack of innovation. Furthermore, the rise of skincare with anti-aging claims did play a significant role. Nevertheless, the things are becoming much better and the gap is rapidly filling through 2025.

Author Bio

Published By Salman Saleem

Senior SEO Expert At KWS ME

The user-centric business setup and support focused content of KWS Middle East is driven by SEO professional Salman Saleem.

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