how do you patch test your clients?

[craigkeane]

hey guys just thought i would let you know about the patch testing i use. . . i use a product called colour start . they work out 80p each. you send the patch to the client which they apply 48 hrs before there appointment. its simple and hassle free! it gets applied the same as a temporary tattoo! its a universal patch which tests for all the main ingredients in any hair or beauty colour including eye lash tint!

just wondering how you guys go about patch testing clients.


Craig Keane
www.hculture.co.uk

 

[Fuzion]

I've looked into these, have thought about them, so you'd recommend them? I'm mobile and do cover a large area so patch testing is really difficult, I have to ask all the relevant questions about allergies etc, over the phone. Local clients I either apply tint behind ear or on inside of forearm, sometimes both at least 48 hrs beforehand. For me the patches would be great, don't you have to buy them in a huge quantity or have they changed that?

 

[craigkeane]

check out this link for more info

http://www.hculture.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=60&Itemid=61

you got to buy a minimum of 50. because the life spam is not long on the product they send you them when you want free of charge . no set time to use the limit within... fab product !


Craig Keane
www.hculture.co.uk

 

[angelina221]

You will need to check with your insurance that they will cover you. Personally, I wouldn't use them. I want to patch test my clients with the exact product that I am going to use. That way I am following the recommendations of my suppliers and my insurance won't be invalidated.
It's a generic test and unfortunately our clients aren't!

 

[-sophisticutz-]

I think maybe they are great if you live in a rural area or busy clients can't get to the salon for a test.

Angelina is right. The best way is to test with the products you are using. That way you cover yourself.

 

[lauren89]

We use these in college for people who can't get in for a skin test.
I thought they were a brilliant idea until last week.

I was colouring my mam's hair at college and gave her one of those patch tests as she couldn't get to the college after work. I done it for her and she had no reaction.

She came in for her her colour and had a mild allergic reaction to the tint.

Now when I colour her hair at home I use Majirel but at college we use Wella kp.

So on Sunday I done another skin test on her, one with majirel and the other with wella.

She had to wash the wella one of straight away and it left a red patch , the majirel one was fine.

So I agree with the above, you really need to patch test the product you are using.

 

[Alex-Lydia]

I agree with angelina221, I would only patch test with the product that I will be using, insurance will not cover it if you do not.
We use Goldwell colours and always test with preferably the colour wanted or if client not sure as to the exact colour, black.
In the 'good old days' patch tests were an option but now really essential - I think so many people have allergies that it's not worth us or them taking a risk. We have had new clients who say they cannot come in and will take the risk but we always say no, you must come in - posting out a test product like Start to them would be very easy but I would not trust it, as lauren89 has said you never know, products vary so much in their ingredients, its never worth the risk.

 

[craigkeane]

I agree with angelina221, I would only patch test with the product that I will be using, insurance will not cover it if you do not.
We use Goldwell colours and always test with preferably the colour wanted or if client not sure as to the exact colour, black.
In the 'good old days' patch tests were an option but now really essential - I think so many people have allergies that it's not worth us or them taking a risk. We have had new clients who say they cannot come in and will take the risk but we always say no, you must come in - posting out a test product like Start to them would be very easy but I would not trust it, as lauren89 has said you never know, products vary so much in their ingredients, its never worth the risk.

regarding insurance most insurance companys will cover you using this patch test. if in doubt call your insurer. i worked for the top makeover company in the UK they used this product as well


Craig Keane
www.hculture.co.uk

 

[craigkeane]

many top salons use this product


Craig Keane
www.hculture.co.uk

 

[angelina221]

Even if my insurance company insured me to use them, I wouldn't.
My clients safety is paramount. If I am using a certain product on them for a treatment then it's that product that I am going to patch test them with.
I have heard of other people not getting a reaction to these tests but then getting a reaction when the treatment is done. Yes, I know this can happen with any product but I am still not prepared to take that risk especially as I test a lot of people for eye treatments.

 

[taggyboy]

Can I ask do they have to sign to say they have applied the patches and had no reaction?

My concern would be their honesty but perhaps I am just sceptical......

 

[craigkeane]

Can I ask do they have to sign to say they have applied the patches and had no reaction?

My concern would be their honesty but perhaps I am just sceptical......

i do yeah! then its in writing

Craig Keane
www.hculture.co.uk

 

[capacape]

i've used these colour start patches as a client from my local hairdressers who use Paul Mitchell products and from a clients point of view they are much more convenient then having to go to the salon for test. I had to apply the patch ' bit like a henna tattoo' 48 hrs before my appointment and the salon would remove the patch when I arrived for the appointment hence they then knew i had defiantly applied it as per instructions.

However I am neither' arthur' or 'martha' on this product at the moment for my business as I am slightly concerned that people do throw reactions to some colour brands and not others. I have a client who is fine with Goldwell and not with Wella . Its a thin line but colour start seem to think it has all the bases covered .. watching this thread with interest .. Always great to read opinions it makes you think of things that might never of crossed your mind ..

Mind you some individuals I have come across don't even have insurance :Scared: so it wouldn't matter what they used. madness !

 

[Alex-Lydia]

No insurance - scary!

I guess the truth of it is we must all do what seems right to us because at the end of the day we have to live with it.

I would add, however, if your clients are able to come into your work place and have a patch test why use Start when you have the product you are going to use at hand? It seems unnecessary and an extra cost.

 

[shaz19k]

Hi I'm not a hairdresser but hope to be didn't even realise that u have to give a patch test at a hairdressers I've never had one when I've been and never known anyone to even though I a am a beautician in a hairdressers never saw them give one x

 

[craigkeane]

Hi I'm not a hairdresser but hope to be didn't even realise that u have to give a patch test at a hairdressers I've never had one when I've been and never known anyone to even though I a am a beautician in a hairdressers never saw them give one x

yeah a lot of places don't bother!! they just care about the money and not client safety!

Craig Keane

 

[spikeyfaerie]

I'm mobile and I'll go and do a cut first so I can do the skin test. If they are fairly local I'll happily pop round to do the skin test before I do the colour service.

I wouldn't risk something like that on a generic product, I know of too many people with product-specific reactions.

 

[craigkeane]

I'm mobile and I'll go and do a cut first so I can do the skin test. If they are fairly local I'll happily pop round to do the skin test before I do the colour service.

I wouldn't risk something like that on a generic product, I know of too many people with product-specific reactions.

Craig Keane