Hair Colour Skin Testing
Skin Testing At Longrow Hair
As a colour-responsible salon, we have a rigorous skin testing policy in place to ensure our clients do not experience an allergic reaction to the hair colour products we use. Rest assured, we comply with strict guidance from our suppliers and insurance companies and National Hairdressing Federation when it comes to skin testing.
In the aftermath of the Covid pandemic, there are even more reasons why you will need a skin test. Those who must have a skin test include:
- Individuals who have had Coronavirus or the vaccine as there has been an increase in people becoming sensitive to hair colour.
- People who have coloured their hair at home.
- Clients who are new to Longrow Hair and would like their hair coloured.
- Clients who haven't had their hair coloured before.
Reactions to hair colour can range from mild to severe and in some cases life-threatening so it is vital you have a skin test.
As before, Longrow Hair will be offering free in-house allergy tests which must be carried out 48 hours prior to your hair colour appointment.
All you have to do is ring in and a member of our team will assist you. Please be aware restrictions are still in place so only select times are allocated to restrict over interaction.
We also have a second option where clients can buy an online skin test from Colourstart which can be performed at home 7 to 5 days before your hair colour appointment. This is known as the Colourstart Passport Scheme. Please read on to find out more.
How it works
Colourstart consists of an adhesive patch that contains two small, separate squares. One square contains a small amount of PPD (this is the positive '+' part), the other contains no PPD (this is the negative '-' part) and is used for comparison only.
The patch is applied to an easily visible part of the arm at least 5 days before an appointment for hair colour. The patch is left on for at least 48 hours (2 days) and then removed. 48 hrs (2 days) later, the arm can be inspected for any sign of a reaction.
By carefully answering a simple set of questions on the colourstart passport app, Colourstart Passport can help you decide if Colourstart is suitable for you to use. Your answers may also help you make an informed decision on whether you should avoid hair colour. Colourstart Passport stores the answers to your questions and also any pictures you have taken of your test result.
This can be helpful to share with your hairdresser, beauty therapist or barber for future reference to avoid potentially unnecessary retesting.
Colourstart Passport can be shared with any participating hair professional.
What will the Colourstart passport tell you?
Once you have completed the questions in Colourstart Passport you will get one of three answers:
- Colourstart is suitable to use before colouring your hair.
- You may not be suitable for Colourstart or hair colour. If you are unsure about what to do, you may wish to consult a pharmacist or doctor.
- Do not use colourstart. Contact your stylist.
Why do I have to pay for my new Colourstart passport
The Colourstart Passport has been classed as a medicine by the Medicines and Healthcare Products regulatory agency and by law medicines have to be charged for. The Colourstart passport costs £15. You can purchase this from the salon.
We as a salon have to purchase these to send out to you. We do not get them for free. All Colourstart skin tests cost the same in any salon you go to. Please do remember that this is a one-off payment. In the future you do not need a new test. You simply need to go to your app and follow the screening questions to get your check on your passport.