An adverse reaction
Do your clients get fed up with allergy alert tests, or think they are a waste of time?
The NHF’s chief executive Hilary Hall told us that this is a challenge that many salons face, especially with loyal clients who have had their hair coloured many times without experiencing any problems. However, allergy alert tests are vital to protect clients and to guard against potentially expensive legal action should something go wrong.
Stay safe
“It is as important to carry out allergy alert tests on long-term clients as it is on new clients or those who have never had their hair coloured before,” said Hilary. “Individuals can become allergic over time or be affected by other factors. For example, ‘black henna’ temporary tattoos can make clients more sensitive to certain chemicals and cause a potentially serious reaction when hair colour is used – even one that has been used safely on a client many times before.”
Allergy alert testing update
The NHF’s recently updated allergy alert testing toolkit aims to address the problems salons face when clients complain about the need for testing.
“The NHF’s new-style toolkits include client information sheets which explain why allergy tests are so important and why the salon is taking the issue seriously as a responsible and professional business,” Hilary explained. “The new toolkits also make it much easier to keep accurate records of allergy alert tests carried out on each client, including their consent to the storage of health-related information. This is vital under GDPR, the stricter data protection laws that came into force earlier this year.”
Maximum convenience
With client convenience in mind, the new allergy alert toolkits also include a sample of Colourstart.
“These are allergy alert tests that can be posted out to clients, which is easier and more convenient for those who are too busy to travel a long way to the salon,” said Hilary. “The kit also includes two posters with clear ‘traffic light’ style instructions for display in staff-rooms.”
Under-16s
Hair colouring services, including highlights, should never be given to under-16s. “They should not have allergy alert tests either,” warned Hilary. “This is because all permanent hair colourants carry warnings that they are not intended for use on under-16s. Your insurance won’t cover you if you go ahead.”
Check your insurance
The NHF’s allergy alert toolkit is backed by Coversure’s Salonsure policy (which offers NHF Members 20% off salon insurance). “If you use any other insurance provider, you must check you’re covered if you use the NHF allergy alert toolkit,” said Hilary.
The NHF offers a wide range of business support services to Members including legal, employment, and financial advice. The updated allergy alert testing kits are available free of charge to Members (£10 P&P). Colourstart packs are available at a preferential rate for Members (nhf.info/colourstart).
Visit nhf.info/gdpready to find out more about GDPR and coversure.co.uk/nhf for salon insurance information.
Join the NHF before the end of November 2018 and quote SMN25 to get £25 off your NHF membership fee.
