It seems there is still confusion about skin testing and insurance cover. As hairdressers we are caught between manufacturers, insurance and clients when it comes to providing chemical services and you need to be confident that your insurance has the correct cover for you.

Your insurance cover depends on the particular policy you have, they are not all the same. The FHA insurance has been developed with you in mind and accepts annual skin testing (T&C’s apply) and patch testing along with lots of other benefits for the way we freelancers work.

• Manufactures generally require a skin test 48 hours before the service however, you can follow the industry skin testing protocol – the Allergy Alert Test which is accepted by FHA Insurance. https://thefha.org.uk/skin-test-protocol/
• Patch Test. The Colourstart patch test is accepted by FHA Insurance.
• A ‘Disclaimer’ is not worth the paper it is written on! You are a professional. If, in your opinion, a service is not recommended a judge will ask why you went ahead? If in your professional opinion a service should not be done why did you go ahead with a signed piece of paper? You have gone against your own opinion, you knew it should not be done. That is why a letter/disclaimer will not stand up in a court of law. Never be coerced into doing any service that you feel uncomfortable about doing!