Anonymity, Ghosting, and No-Shows: The Quiet Crisis in the Beauty Industry
- Sophia Sarantakos
- Jul 16
- 6 min read
In an industry that thrives on human touch, emotional presence, and client connection, something troubling is happening in professional spaces: more and more estheticians are posting anonymously in online forums, especially in Facebook industry groups.
At first glance, this might seem harmless. After all, anonymity can feel like a safe haven, a way to ask questions, express fears, or seek advice without risking judgment or embarrassment. But for a profession built on trust and interaction, this rising wave of anonymity signals something deeper: a disconnect that threatens the heart of esthetics.
This article is not a critique of individuals who choose to remain anonymous. It’s a moment of critical reflection for the industry. If beauty professionals are the champions of personal care, connection, and confidence, then why is it becoming harder to show up as themselves in professional spaces?
This is about professional standards, one that values visibility, respectful dialogue, and courage in community.
A Profession Built on Connection
Esthetics is more than skin-deep. Whether it’s a facial, a wax, a manicure, a brow enhancement, or a therapeutic massage, every treatment involves presence, empathy, and human touch. Clients return not just for the results but for how estheticians make them feel, seen, cared for, and understood.
In a world where loneliness is described as a public health crisis, estheticians are part of the rare group of professionals who bring people back into their bodies and back into human connection. It’s a role that requires emotional intelligence, energetic awareness, and the willingness to be fully present. Yet, in digital peer spaces, where advice is sought and knowledge is shared, many estheticians are retreating behind anonymous avatars.
The Rise of Anonymous Posting in Esthetics Groups
Anonymous posts in Facebook industry groups have become increasingly common. Instead of openly asking a question or expressing a concern, professionals are selecting the option to hide their names, identities, and sometimes even their tone.
The posts often start with phrases like:
“Anonymous, please, I’m afraid of the backlash.”
“Please don’t judge me for this question.”
“Posting anonymously because I feel stupid asking.”
"My boss wants me to do their social media because I have a big following on my personal Instagram, but they don't want to pay me for the added responsibility. What should I do?"
These are red flags, not because of the individuals posting, but because of what this behaviour reveals about the culture within professional beauty communities.
What’s Driving the Silence?
Several factors may be fueling this shift:
Fear of Judgment
Many estheticians fear being criticized by peers. There's an unspoken pressure to know it all, look polished, and appear confident at all times. This creates an unrealistic expectation, and quite frankly a unfriendly and sometimes hostile environment for growth.
Lack of Safe Spaces
Some Facebook groups are not truly safe spaces. While they may promote themselves as “supportive,” members often witness harsh replies, sarcasm, and gatekeeping behaviour that discourages vulnerability.
Insecurity About Experience or Knowledge
Not all estheticians have years of experience or formal advanced training. Asking “basic” questions can feel risky in spaces that reward expertise over curiosity.
“My bookings are down. It’s been so slow, and I honestly don’t know what to do. I’m even looking for part-time work on the side just to keep going.”– Anonymous post, paraphrased from multiple beauty groups
This is the kind of real, vulnerable expression we should be encouraging, not discouraging. Professionals are looking for direction and connection, not criticism.
Burnout and Emotional Disconnection
When professionals are emotionally drained, they often withdraw not just from work but from community. Anonymity becomes a coping mechanism for those who feel depleted and disconnected.
Why It Matters: The Impact on the Industry
This isn’t just about social media behaviour. It’s a sign of something much bigger.
It Undermines Mentorship
When newer estheticians don’t feel safe to ask questions openly, they miss the opportunity to connect with experienced mentors. Peer-to-peer growth stalls, and knowledge becomes siloed.
“We tell clients to be consistent, to invest in themselves, to trust the process but we’re afraid to admit when we’re struggling in front of each other. That doesn’t align.”
It Weakens Professional Identity
If beauty professionals can’t show up as themselves in front of peers, how strong is the foundation of their professional identity? Visibility is part of leadership even in small moments.
It Normalizes Silence
When anonymous posts become the norm, it sets a cultural precedent that silence is safer than speaking up. This goes against everything esthetics represents: expression, empowerment, and presence.
It Erodes Trust in the Community
Trust can’t be built without names, faces, and accountability. An anonymous culture erodes the trust that communities need to function and flourish.
We Are the Industry of Human Touch ~ Let’s Act Like It
Beauty professionals are trained to connect not just with skin, but with stories, struggles, and aspirations. Clients don’t just receive a treatment; they receive attention. They feel heard, validated, and honored.
So what happens when the very people who provide that experience feel they can’t even ask a question without hiding? There is a clear disconnect between what estheticians offer to clients and what they feel allowed to receive from their peers.
This is a call to close that gap not just for the benefit of individual professionals, but for the health and future of the industry.
What the Industry Needs More Of ~ Now
Brave Visibility
No one knows everything, and that’s okay. Being visible, even when unsure, sets a powerful example. It invites others to do the same.
Respectful Dialogue
We need to restore civility in professional forums. Every question deserves kindness. Every opinion can be shared with respect.
Mentorship Over Ego
Experienced professionals must step up, not to judge, but to guide. Remember what it felt like to be new, to be unsure. Lead from that place. Leadership isn’t just about technical expertise, it’s about creating an environment where others feel safe to grow.
Community Over Competition
The beauty industry thrives when professionals collaborate, not compete. When someone wins, we all rise. When someone learns, the whole field evolves.
Let’s Also Talk About Ghosting
Ghosting --->>>>> the act of cutting off communication with no explanation has become a concerning pattern in the professional beauty space. It’s not uncommon to hear suppliers and educators say, “She booked a call, received all the information, and never responded again.”
Others share frustration after multiple emails, follow-ups, or conversations that go unanswered.
Just like anonymous posting signals discomfort with being seen, ghosting reflects a reluctance to show up even when a connection has already been made. It’s another form of withdrawal that undermines the trust-based nature of our work.
While life gets busy and circumstances change, consistently ghosting peers, collaborators, or suppliers reflects a lack of professional etiquette. If this is how someone behaves with fellow professionals, it’s not a stretch to assume that clients may be on the receiving end of the same silence.
This is a relationship driven industry. Respect, communication, and closure matter whether you're declining a service, choosing not to proceed with a partnership, or shifting focus. You don’t need to justify, but responding matters.
Professionalism Is Presence — Even Before You’re Hired
Another trend that raises concern is estheticians applying for jobs, securing interviews, and then failing to show up without notice or explanation. This isn’t a small oversight. It’s a missed opportunity, a lost impression, and a clear message of disengagement.
Yes, anxiety is real. Overwhelm is real. But professionalism requires communication. A simple email to cancel or reschedule honours both your time and the employer’s. Skipping an interview without warning sends the wrong signal: that you’re not fully committed, not just to the job, but to your own growth. In a service industry rooted in presence and reliability, ghosting a job interview is more than disappointing. It’s a red flag that erodes trust before it begins. It's a no-hire decision.
Is This A Trend?
The anonymous culture in esthetics groups is not a trend to follow, it’s a warning to heed.
Beauty Concierge Global stands for a different standard, one where professionalism doesn’t mean perfection, where community doesn’t mean conformity, and where connection doesn’t stop at the treatment room. In a time of global aloneness, estheticians are light-bearers. You cannot hold space for others if you’re afraid to take up space yourself.
Showing up with your name, your voice, your question isn’t just brave. It’s necessary.
A Space That Honours Your Voice: Join The Back Bar
If you’re looking for a professional space that respects your time, your voice, and your commitment to growth, consider joining The Back Bar — a private Facebook group created for licensed estheticians who value depth over distraction. This isn’t a group for endless scrolling or background noise. It’s a curated space where you show up when it matters for scheduled events, focused discussions, and meaningful education.
If it’s not on the calendar, we trust you’re out there building your business, investing in your skills, or pouring into your team. Inside The Back Bar, you’ll find guided meditations, peer-led roundtables, educational drops, and conversations that move the industry forward. You won’t find noise. You’ll find clarity. All you need is an email address and you're in.
Reflection
When was the last time you felt truly safe asking a professional question out loud? What made that moment feel supportive, and how can you recreate that for someone else? Comment below.