A high level of health and safety is an important standard to uphold within the beauty industry. Not only does it ensure you are keeping your customers safe, but it also keeps your staff and business safe.
Patch testing is an essential part of performing any type of bleaching or dyeing service on a client and is taught as part of any hairdressing qualification. Patch testing should be performed for permanent colour and semi-permanent hair colour alike, as well as any tinting service, chemical peels or spray tanning. So why is patch testing so important?
Allergic reactions and ingredient sensitivity
In a similar way to foods, cosmetics and hair dye contain potential allergens that you need to be aware of.
Allergic reactions can sometimes comprise of itchy or sore skin which turns red and bumpy. This is often allergic contact dermatitis. As this is a delayed-reaction allergy, the symptoms may not appear for up to a couple of days after exposure to the allergen. Therefore, you must conduct a patch test at least 48 hours before your client’s appointment, to be sure that there are no allergic reactions.
Previous reactions
Often, customers will know if they have an allergy to cosmetic chemicals, so you will have forewarning about their situation. Speaking to their GP will allow them to be tested and narrow down exactly which chemicals they need to look out for. Understanding the labelling of your products is important, especially if your client states they have a known allergy.
Whenever you try a new product on a client that has previously had an allergic reaction, a patch test is necessary to make sure the new product is safe. This even applies if you are planning to use the same brand but a different shade or formula. This helps to keep your client safe and prevents any issues for you.
Gradual sensitisation
Reactions to hair dye and other cosmetics can occur when you have used a certain product on a client before. Over time, you can become sensitive to certain chemicals due to repeated exposure which can result in a reaction.
If this does happen, your client should seek medical advice as soon as possible and avoid using that product on the client again.
Performing a patch test
Patch tests should be applied to an area where the client is unlikely to wash or rub the dye away any time soon, such as behind the ear or in the bend of their elbow. Apply a spot of the product to the area. This should be small enough to be innocuous but still large enough to cause a reaction if there was one.
The patch test should be completed a minimum of 48 hours before the service will be provided, so to ensure you are leaving enough time, make a note on your client’s card of the date and time of the test.
It is important to check your insurance as well, as some may have specific conditions when it comes to patch-testing clients.
Keeping your clients safe is important for all beauticians and hairdressers, so make sure you are performing patch tests properly to avoid allergic reactions.