Most people who have coloured their hair for years probably assume one thing:

“I’ve used this before. I’m fine.”

Unfortunately, your immune system does not sign lifetime agreements.

Peterborough salon Serenity Loves on Oundle Road recently raised the issue of hair-colour allergies while promoting its colour services.

Its current published prices also show how substantial a colour appointment can become: half-head highlights £53, toner £29, wash, cut and blow-dry £47, with K18 treatment another £25.

But the more important bit is safety.

The NHS says permanent and some semi-permanent hair dyes can contain PPD  paraphenylenediamine which can irritate the skin or cause an allergic reaction.

Symptoms can include burning, itching, soreness, rash and blisters, and they may take up to 72 hours to appear.

Severe reactions are rare, but they can happen.

This is why allergy testing is not salon bureaucracy designed to annoy you. It's actually designed to protect you from a serious reaction.

And previous trouble matters even more than you might think...

The NHS specifically warns that people who have reacted to hair dye before or have previously had a black henna tattoo may face greater risk from products containing PPD.

There is another lesson here for those concerned about hair and beauty treatments.

We normally talk about salons in terms of:

Who cuts well?

Who does good colour?

Who does nails?

Who gives you a decent facial?

But who takes safety seriously?

This question is probably just as important more than most women understand.

That could mean allergy checks.

Skin consultation.

Explaining what is actually in a treatment.

Knowing when something is outside the salon’s remit and needs medical attention.

The beauty industry is where people spend real money

They often stay loyal to the same person or salon for years which means they know your requirements inside and out.

 But if you are trying something new or moving in from another area make sure to check reviews, ask around and look for recommendations from people and sources you trust.

Don't be just tempted by the services on offer . But also make sure your pick a hair or beauty salon that follows all the safety precautions we just spoke about earlier.

QUICK QUESTION

Have you ever had a reaction to hair dye, nails, skincare or another beauty treatment and did you know what was happening and how was the reaction dealt with?

Help Our Readers

If you regularly use a salon that you would strongly recommend to other people, please describe your experience and why you'd send people there.