Setting the Record Straight

Did you know there’s an official skin testing protocol in place?

Sentio Salons Insurance recently carried out a survey regarding all things skin testing, and one of the key findings showed us that 40% of salons aren’t aware of the harmonised professional skin testing protocol that was announced by leading industry bodies and associations¹ in 2024. 

The protocol defines a clear benchmark that all hair professionals, insurers and hair colour brands should meet to confidently support and promote the safe use of professional hair colour services in the UK.

The protocol recognises three systems for professional allergy alert testing…

1. The Allergy Alert Test (AAT). Instructions designed by manufacturers and printed on packaging and instructions for use.
2. Protocols designed for professional use only and conducted by a hair professional.³ Hair colour brand protocols are applicable to their own products only, whereas some hair industry, trade organisations and insurers protocols can be used with any hair colour brand.
3. Universal allergy screening tests licenced as medicines for consumers to use at home to screen for the most common hair colour allergen (PPD). These products, such as Colourstart, are available to buy online or via approved stockists and may only need to be used once. 

This harmonised protocol does not recommend the transfer of colourants from the original manufacturer’s packaging to post to clients for the purposes of an at-home test, as this goes against industry best practice and may invalidate insurance cover.

¹Good Salon Guide, Salon Employers Association, The Barber Council, The Fellowship for British Hairdressing, The Freelance Hairdressers’ Association, The Hair Council, The Men’s Hairdressing Federation and The NHBF.