What is back bar product?

Back bar products are the professional-size products used during salon services but not sold to clients (as opposed to retail products). This typically includes litre bottles of shampoo, conditioner and treatment masks used at the backwash. They are called "back bar" because they sit behind the bar/basin, not on the retail shelf.

How much shampoo is used per wash?

A typical salon shampoo uses 15-25ml per application. Most services include two washes (lather, rinse, repeat), totalling 30-50ml. Long or thick hair uses more. Using a measured pump dispenser (5ml per pump) gives 3-5 pumps per wash, helping control usage and reduce waste.

How can I reduce back bar costs?

Buy litre or larger sizes rather than 250ml bottles. Use pump dispensers to control amounts. Train all staff on correct usage amounts. Dilute concentrated formulas correctly. Do not let product sit in dispensers where it can dry out. Compare supplier prices and look for professional bulk deals.

What should back bar products cost per service?

Back bar costs (shampoo + conditioner) typically run £0.30-£0.80 per service using professional litre products. Premium brands may cost £0.80-£1.50 per service. This should be factored into your service pricing. A salon washing 40 heads per day at £0.50 each spends about £430/month on shampoo and conditioner alone.

CutCalcs

Back Bar Calculator — Salon Back Bar Costs

Estimate back bar product consumption and costs for salon services.

Clients Per Day

Working Days/Week

Shampoo Cost

Per bottle

Shampoo Size

Conditioner Cost

Per bottle

Conditioner Size

How We Calculate This

This calculator estimates back bar consumption and costs based on daily client volume and product pricing, showing per-service costs and monthly totals.

The formula

Cost per service = (Usage per wash / Bottle size) x Bottle cost

Monthly bottles = (Clients/day x Days x 4.33 x Usage) / Bottle size

Average shampoo use: ~20ml per wash
Average conditioner use: ~15ml per wash

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always perform a strand test before chemical services.