Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
5th International Paris Congress on Applied Sciences, Paris, Fransa, 4 - 08 Ağustos 2025, ss.197-205, (Tam Metin Bildiri)
The rapid depletion of water resources and increasing environmental pressures have made the sustainable management of water use in the service sector a necessity. In this context, it is of great importance to conduct a detailed analysis of the environmental impacts of water-intensive businesses such as beauty centers. The aim of this study is to calculate the water footprint of beauty salons located in a specific region of Istanbul and to demonstrate that various strategies and practices can be implemented to mitigate their environmental impact based on the findings. A comprehensive field study was conducted through visits to nine beauty centers operating in Nişantaşı, one of the busiest and most prominent districts of Istanbul. These centers were selected through purposive sampling, prioritizing those with higher procedural complexity and specialization to align closely with the study’s analytical objectives. While the sample size was constrained by practical considerations, emphasis was placed on maximizing sectoral variation and service sophistication to ensure depth and relevance in qualitative insights. As part of the study, surveys were carried out at each center to collect detailed information on operational practices, including the types of cosmetic and cleaning products used, the number of daily and monthly customers, the quantity of products consumed, and the types of services provided. The collected data were compiled into Microsoft Excel for systematic analysis, and based on specific assumptions, a series of calculations were conducted to evaluate the environmental impact of each center’s water consumption. In this context, the blue, gray, and green water footprints of each center were calculated separately, providing a comprehensive assessment of their individual water usage patterns. The data obtained in the study provide valuable insights for identifying service-specific water consumption patterns in beauty salons and for developing sustainable water management strategies. The findings indicate that the highest water footprint is associated with skincare and makeup services. The present study demonstrates that the water footprint in beauty salons is significantly influenced by multiple factors, including the extent of cosmetic product usage, the shift from wet to dry manicure techniques, and variations in client volume and service types between luxury and standard salons. These findings underscore that environmental performance in the beauty service sector is not solely determined by direct water consumption, but is also shaped by consumer behavior patterns, product selection, and the structural design of services. This highlights the need for a more holistic approach to sustainability assessments within the personal care industry.