Israelis Spend Far More on Grooming Than Official Statistics Show

Official statistics from Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) indicate that an average Israeli household spends approximately 200 shekels per month, or 2,400 shekels annually, on personal care and cosmetics, representing 1.32% of their consumption basket. However, the reality on the ground suggests significantly higher expenses, especially for individuals regularly using beauty services and treatments.

The CBS survey, based on household expenditure reports, shows a monthly average of 22.4 shekels for women's haircuts and only 5.4 shekels for men's and children's haircuts. In contrast, a single haircut at a salon can cost between 150 to 300 shekels for women and around 60 shekels for men. This discrepancy highlights the limitations of the survey, which averages spending across all households, including those who do not regularly use these services or perform them themselves.

When factoring in regular grooming routines, including hair products, makeup, manicures, facials, and hair coloring, annual costs for a single woman can exceed 5,000 shekels. The expense escalates dramatically with aesthetic treatments. For instance, three Botox treatments per year for the entire face, costing 2,000 to 3,500 shekels each, can amount to 6,000 to 10,500 shekels annually, totaling 60,000 to 105,000 shekels over a decade. Similarly, regular facials, costing around 350 shekels each and performed 8-12 times a year, can add up to 28,000 to 42,000 shekels over ten years.

The article also points out significant price disparities in aesthetic treatments, such as laser hair removal, where advertised prices for a single session (80-200 shekels) mask the actual cost of pre-paid packages that can reach thousands of shekels. Consumers are advised to carefully examine the terms of these packages, including the number of sessions, maintenance treatments, and refund policies, as well as to verify the qualifications of practitioners, particularly for medical procedures like injections, which are regulated by the Ministry of Health.

The wide range of costs is attributed to varying treatment technologies, device power, treatment areas, session duration, practitioner qualifications, and clinic branding. Furthermore, there is no uniform official price list for aesthetic treatments in Israel, leading to significant price differences between providers. The article concludes that the true cost of grooming depends less on the price of a single treatment and more on the frequency and type of services incorporated into one's regular routine.