Hairdressers Journal - Letters
Article date: 23/07/2007
A sensitive issue
From Sheila Abrahams. Director, Freelance Hair & Beauty Federation.
I was incensed when I read the letter, Testing times (HJ 6-12 July) from a hairdresser who reported being verbally abused by a member of the public for giving skin sensitivity advice and not colour advice while in a wholesale outlet.
Sensitivity testing is becoming a huge issue in our industry and it can only get worse as it seems that people today have reactions to a greater number of substances.
The Freelance Hair and Beauty Federation (FHBF) published an article published an article on this subject in the summer issue of its magazine Highlights as it has become a matter of concern to our members and indeed the industry as a whole. Reports and horrific pictures of reactions are appearing more regularly in the media and we are increasingly living in a compensation culture.
We all know that every manufacturer’s instruction is to test 48 hours before applying a colour and there is no argument with that . As the FHBF has adopted the National Hairdressers Federation Sensitivity Policy, (details on www.nhf.biz and www.fhbf.org.uk) it means that freelancers are united and, as we are professional and responsible people, there should be an agreement to make sensitivity testing standard practice in both hairdressing and beauty.
No longer can you do an instant colour service, but if we all stick together the public will realise how important sensitivity testing is and how serious we are. We know that there is resistance from clients to comply. It is up to us to educate the public and it will not be easy.
However, we cannot take risks with our clients who trust and respect our opinion and we must not abuse their trust by applying colours without a sensitivity test. In the long run we will gain greater respect for our profession. Please remember, “united we stand, divided we fall!”