Hairdresser Urges to Patch Test After Allergic Reactions Rise Post Coronavirus

The new normal is constantly changing as the world accepts the effects of coronavirus - the ripping effects in the beauty industry have been stronger than in other sections, but one disconcerting factor professionals were not prepared for is the rise of allergic reactions in clients.

Many salons and their clients see patch testing as a bit of a pain, at best. At worst, it’s a complete annoyance and serious inconvenience to their schedule. Unfortunately, patch testing is absolutely crucial in a salon environment and every client should be patch tested before a new treatment between 24 and 48 hours prior to their appointment - not only to protect your client, but to also ensure your insurance is not invalidated. To make sure you're covered, you need to make sure you test the customer with the same substance as you'd use to treat them – even if they've signed a waiver or insist they don't need to be tested.

Allergic reactions can seemingly occur overnight, beauty professionals are advised to patch test around every 6 months and every time a new product is introduced, however, Charlotte Barker, award winning hairdresser, educator and L’Oreal Colour Specialist shared with the industry why skin testing every six months is not enough.

A regular client visited Charlotte to get her colour done post coronavirus, with a patch test in February, she fell within the six month patch test window and there weren’t any indicators that would suggest patch testing would be necessary, however, she suffered a severe allergic reaction nonetheless.

What Charlotte experienced isn’t an isolated case, it could be the case that those who have experienced coronavirus - especially those that had serve reactions, have had their immune system weakened making them susceptible to allergic reactions.

The best way to keep yourself and your client safe in these times is to make all patch testing mandatory if you haven’t already, and require a patch test before every treatment. While the rise of allergic reactions may simply be a coincidence - not enough research has been done into the effects of Coronavirus on the body to take a risk not to patch test with every visit as it can put your client’s life on the line. It may also be helpful to take the time to ask your clients in their pre-treatment consultation form if they have tested positive for coronavirus in the past, and how severe their symptoms were to guide you in their treatment.

Be ready for for the possible allergic reaction, as time is of the essence. The paramedics praised Charlotte in her quick reaction to wash off the colour causing the allergic reaction with cold water and provide antihistamine - train yourself in this first aid to provide a safe service and recognize the first symptoms of an allergic reaction.