Children younger than eight are regularly having beauty treatments like spray tans, according to a new study.
Two in three mothers (68 per cent) regularly allow their young daughters to pamper themselves at the salon, says research from The British Association of Beauty Therapists and Cosmetologists (BABTAC)
Three quarters claimed that treatments such as hair removal, manicures and facials improved their child's self confidence.
Meanwhile 62 per cent felt it was a good opportunity to bond, 69 per cent just wanted to fit in with their friends and 12 per cent even said they encouraged it because it made their child 'look better'.
And it isn't just birthdays and parties when mothers treat their daughters to a trip to the salon. A third (33 per cent) allow their daughters the indulgence 'regularly' while 41 per cent limit it to special occasions.
The report also found that 91 per cent of children will mimic their mother's beauty habits.
It concluded that 84 per cent will copy them putting on their make-up, while other behaviours included 'doing their hair' (65 per cent) and 'taking selfies' (53 per cent).
Commenting on the results of the study, Lesley Blair of BABTAC said: 'It’s not unusual for children as young as three or four to imitate their mother and want to be a part of the beauty regime; all that is just harmless fun and a part of growing up.
'If you think about how popular children’s pamper parties are, where the little ones are decked out in glitter and are given manicures and pedicures, it’s no surprise that mums like to treat their little girls every now and then.'
However, the survey also highlighted some more worrying copied behaviour.
Sixteen per cent of the mothers polled admitted they had noticed their daughters being 'self-critical' when imitating certain habits, while a further 21 per cent had mimicked 'weighing on the scales'.
Lesley continued: 'The real trouble comes when they pick up negative behaviours and traits, getting on the bathroom scales and criticising their reflection in the mirror, and then feeling that they need these treatments in order to boost their self-esteem.
During this time in a girl’s life, she is very vulnerable and impressionable; so it’s important to work on their confidence so they are happy with their natural selves.'