LED hair salon lights
LED HAIR SALON LIGHTS
Good hair salon lights are first and foremost a work tool. A stylist who can't see the exact nuances of a colour can't deliver a perfect result, shadows on the face distort the cut, and light that is too warm distorts blondes, coppers and silver greys. Aim for a CRI of 90 at minimum, ideally 95 or more, and a white of about 5000 K at the stations. LEDCO supplies recessed lights, tracks, panels and puck lights for every zone, from reception to the styling chair.
CRI 95 and 5000 K: the colourist's light
The colour rendering index (CRI) measures a light source's ability to reproduce colours faithfully compared with natural light. A CRI of 80 is enough in an office, but a salon requires at least 90, ideally 95, to tell light chestnut from strawberry blonde, or silver grey from white. Check this value on the spec sheet of every fixture installed at the stations.
For colour temperature, about 5000 K gives a daylight white, with neither the orange warmth of 3000 K nor the bluish coolness of 6500 K. Skin looks natural, hair shows its true shade, and the colourist can assess every step of a colouring or lightening process.
LED salon lighting, zone by zone
Salon lights have not one job, but five. Each zone gets its own light:
- Reception and waiting: uniform general lighting that feels welcoming to those who wait.
- Cutting stations: light from the front and the side, with no shadow on the face or neck.
- Colour area: the highest CRI in the salon, at 5000 K, to judge the nuances.
- Shampoo bowls: dimmable light, softer during longer treatments.
- Retail shelves: targeted lighting that makes the packaging stand out.
10W-40W round commercial recessed light: the base lighting
On the ceiling, LED recessed lights provide base lighting that is uniform from one station to the next. The 10W-40W round commercial LED recessed light covers a wide wattage range: you keep the same model for the cutting area, the colour area and the reception, adjusting only the wattage. Place them above and slightly in front of the chairs rather than directly above the client's head, to limit shadows on the face and reflections in the mirror.
Track spotlights: every station with no blind spot
Good station lighting combines a main source on the ceiling, a side source and fill light. LED track spotlights are well suited: two or three aimed heads cover the top, sides and front of the station. Each head follows the exact position of the chair and mirror, and can be re-aimed if you rearrange the salon. Tracks and connectors follow the row of stations in a single run.
10W-18W linear recessed light: a line above the mirrors
When stations are lined up along a mirror wall, the 10W-18W linear LED recessed light draws a continuous line of light above the row. Light falls evenly on each client, without the bright patches of spots spaced too far apart. It is also a strong visual signature for a salon with a contemporary design.
2x2 panels and dimmable recessed lights: reception, waiting and shampoo
At reception and in the waiting area, the 2x2 LED panel (60 x 60 cm), in 30 W, 36 W or 40 W, provides uniform general lighting that showcases retail displays and furniture; the 2x4 and 1x4 formats round out our LED panels. At the shampoo bowls, dimmable recessed lights create a relaxed mood during treatments, then return to full intensity. The DLS 4" round RGBW-CCT 9W recessed light adds a coloured tint, and our LED dimmers and controllers switch from one scene to another in a single move.
LED puck lights: product shelves and display cases
Retail products sell better when they are well lit. LED puck lights recessed under shelves or at the top of a display case make the packaging stand out and draw the eye toward the counter, where the sale is made.
Technical tips for hair salon lighting
The same white at every station. A client who changes chairs should not see their colour change with them.
Light in front of the chair. A source right above the head deepens the shadows under the eyes and on the neck.
Check the CRI on every spec sheet. A single low-CRI fixture above the colour area is enough to skew a diagnosis.
Separate the circuits by zone. Reception, stations and shampoo bowls benefit from switching and dimming separately.
Avoid reflections in the mirrors. A spotlight aimed at the mirror dazzles the client; aim at the head, not the glass.
Our accomplishments include a hair salon lit with the PK200 puck light.
Hair Salon Lighting FAQ
What is the best lighting for a hair salon?
A combination: recessed lights for the base, track spotlights or a linear fixture above the stations, and panels at reception. At the stations, aim for a CRI of 90 or more, ideally 95, and about 5000 K to see the true colour of the hair.
Which salon lights are best for eliminating shadows?
A combination of three sources: a main one on the ceiling, slightly in front of the chair, a side source and a fill source. Two or three track heads, aimed at the top, sides and front of the station, cover the client with no blind spot.
What lighting reveals true hair colour?
A CRI of 90 at minimum, and ideally 95 or more in the colour area. A CRI of 80 is enough in an office, but it cannot tell light chestnut from strawberry blonde.
What is the best overhead lighting for a hair salon?
The 10W-40W round commercial recessed light provides the base, and the 10W-18W linear recessed light draws a line above a row of mirrors. In a suspended ceiling, the 2x2 panel serves as salon ceiling lights for reception and waiting.
How do I plan the lighting for my salon?
Start from the salon's floor plan and the number of stations, then assign a light to each zone. Contact the LEDCO team with those two pieces of information: we will help you plan salon lights that fit.
