I don’t normally have a reaction to my colour, so do I need to do this?
The simple answer is yes. We have a choice of testing methods to make it easy. Industry protocol and insurance requirements mean that before we proceed with your hair colour, we MUST evidence your Allergy Alert Test (AAT) every 6 months and ask you some screening questions prior to starting your hair colour service each visit.
We offer two different methods of AAT. Find out more in our Colourstart blog.
Do all salons have this policy? Can I not just sign a disclaimer?
We know that there may be salons who do not follow our policy. Not following manufacturer’s instructions when using a chemical means, they are NOT insured. Not only would they not be insured for an allergic reaction, but the fact also that the manufacturer’s instructions had not been followed would invalidate their insurance for any unforeseen circumstance.
Disclaimers on their websites, or client signing to agree to not Allergy Alert Test, will not stand. If there was ever a problem, in a court of law a judge would deem the Hairdresser to be the professional as they are acting within their profession and have had the necessary training to do so. This training means the hairdresser should be leading their client as to how the service is correctly performed. If a Hairdresser has been trained to carry out a patch test it would be deemed that they are acting unprofessionally to advise their client to sign a disclaimer and not to carry out the patch test. This is the same for micro salons, chair renters, home hairdressers alike.
At The Vanilla Room, we test because we care. We are committed to offering our services to the highest professional standards.
Why are you asking me about ‘Black Henna’?
Black Henna Tattoos have been proven to cause hair colour reactions. This is because they can have 50% or more PPD in them, which overexposes the client to PPD, which is the main ingredient in hair colour that people react to.
PPD for hair colouring is only allowed at a maximum of 2%.
The PPD can get in your system, for example when you had one of these tattoos on holiday as a child. Over the years of repeated hair colouring or AAT testing, which further exposes a client to PPD, this can suddenly bring on a hair colour reaction when the client is an adult. These reactions can be extremely severe. Hence the need to test for a PPD allergy using Colourstart or in-salon AAT in a controlled manner prior to applying colour all over the head.
Why do I have to pay for a Colourstart test?
Colourstart is licensed by Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and is the only clinically proven test for allergy to hair colour. It is exactly what they use to test for allergy to PPD in hospitals. It is licensed to be sold in salons, pharmacies and can be sold online by any hair professional or association. It is therefore chargeable as a one-time only test you administer yourself.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/first-allergy-test-for-hair-dye-to-go-on-general-sale
