Frequently asked questions
Q: Why is hypersensitivity only becoming an issue now?
A: There has been a dramatic increase in hypersensitivity in recent years - increased incidence, increased severity and increased complexity.
See the Royal College of Physicians Report.
Within the hairdressing industry, this is compounded with an increasing trend towards the use of dark hair colours.
Q: I've been colouring my hair for many years and have never had a reaction to hair dye. Why should I start testing now?
A: Every day, we witness how you can become hypersensitive to new things. Some people develop hay fever one year or find they become allergic to latex gloves. The same is true for hair dye. You can become sensitive at any time in your life.
Q: I'm taking medication. Will this affect the result?
A: Medication may vary your reaction to hair dyes. Some will make you hypersensitive; others may suppress your existing hypersensitivity.
Q: Why do I need to test at least 48 hours before the application of a hair dye?
A: In certain circumstances, the most severe form of hypersensitivity is a cell-mediated reaction that takes at least 48 hours to occur.
Q: I have used Colourstart and I'm not sure of the result.
A: This could simply be a mild reaction that may create more severe problems when your hair is dyed. It's always safe to exercise caution and consult your hairdresser, who can carry out further tests using the standard test procedure.