How to incorporate ASMR into beauty treatments

Autonomous sensory meridian (ASMR) is a trend that dates back as far as 2013 on YouTube and is continuing to grow in popularity, with over 13 million ASMR videos currently on the platform. The trend isn’t slowing down, either, as there was a 122% increase in searches for ASMR videos from January 2018 to 2019 in the UK alone on YouTube. Meanwhile, there are around seven million posts tagged with #asmr on Instagram.

While ASMR videos replicate an in-person intimacy, adding the method to beauty treatments can transform that replica into a reality. Offering a way to enhance relaxation, incorporating ASMR into your massage, facial, brow, lash or nail services can set you apart from competition while providing clients with a truly unique experience.

ASMR is essentially a reaction that people have to certain triggers including sounds, actions, nurturing touch (tickling, hair play) or personal attention. It specifically refers to a tingling, often pleasurable sensation that people can receive from sounds, visuals or physical touches that please the brain. Typically, people feel the pleasure in their head, with some people reporting that it travels all the way down their spines.

Such benefits of de-stressing, relaxation and increasing the likelihood of a better night’s sleep due to ASMR triggers with bonding behaviours can be related to a range of relaxing salon and spa treatments. ASMR encourages people to take time for themselves in order to relax, reflecting the same ethos that salons, spas and therapists offer, making such tailored treatments ideal.

“An ASMR experience in a spa or salon would appeal to anyone who already knows that they enjoy it when a friend or loved one plays with their hair, reads their palm or touches them lightly on the back,” – Dr. Craig Richard, founder of ASMR University & author of Brain Tingles.

“The next big step for ASMR will probably be in-person ASMR stimulation opportunities, rather than just from ASMR videos,” reveals Dr. Craig Richard, founder of ASMR University and author of Brain Tingles. “Spas already have the environment and personnel for blissful relaxation – adding ASMR sessions could be a welcome option for their clientele.

“ASMR videos attract millions of subscribers who would be very interested in a real-life ASMR experience. Additionally, an ASMR experience in a spa or salon would appeal to anyone who already knows that they enjoy it when a friend or loved one plays with their hair, reads their palm or touches them lightly on the back. Being able to go to a professional spa setting for a simulated service or other ASMR triggers from a skilled practitioner would appeal greatly.”

For example, when providing a facial, massage, lash, brow or nail treatment, incorporating triggers such as face brushing, hair brushing, soft speaking, whispering, skin brushing and tapping can provide a huge relaxation benefit to the client and a unique advantage for your business.

While there are no ASMR qualifications available, there is plenty of research, material and information to expand your knowledge and begin practicing the technique. “Personally its been an interesting journey with trials, error and successes to develop the skills I have now and there is still a way to go with more ideas to explore – not just in video format but live and in-person sessions,” says Emma Smith, founder of the WhispersRed ASMR YouTube channel. “The ASMR community has grown online by hundreds of thousands over the years so far worldwide and shows no sign of slowing down. As the culture of self-awareness, mindfulness and complementary therapies grow, ASMR is becoming very useful to many.”