London children's salon launches beauty services

London's first hair and beauty salon aimed at children has started offering pedicures and manicures, reports The Observer. The salon, which opened in Spring in the heart of London's Chelsea, said that growing demand from children as young as six had prompted the decision to extend the salon's remit to beauty services.

'Manicures are very popular.' Says co-owner Latasha Malik. [Parents] ask about pedicures, they ask whether we can style and blow-dry hair for young girls, have a bit of make-up put on. 'Grooming has really changed when it comes to young children. Everyone's very much aware of how they look at a very young age,' Malik adds.'They aspire to be grown up - a lot of 12- to 13-year-old girls are reading Hello! and OK! already. They bring in pictures of models, saying, "Can you do something like this?"'

Raisingkids' founder Dr Pat Spungin had this to say on the subject: 'What are you going to be doing when you've got your nails painted at three? Are you going to be out in the garden digging for worms or in the sandpit? It's too much. It's encouraging children to become overly self-conscious and aware of their appearance. We already have enough evidence that children are feeling unhappy with themselves.'

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