HAVING A COLOUR APPOINTMENT WITH US?

Everything you need to know about patch testing before your appointment

PATCH TESTING FOR COLOUR SERVICES

Before any colour appointment, you’ll need to complete a patch test. This is an important safety step to help reduce the risk of allergic reactions to hair colour.
You have two ways to complete your patch testing. Many guests choose Colourstart, a convenient, at-home patch test that creates a Colourstart Passport for all future colour appointments. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know.

AT-HOME PATCH TEST WITH COLOURSTART

WHAT IS COLOURSTART?
Colourstart is an industry-recognised, at-home patch test that helps show whether you may be allergic to PPD or PPD derivatives, found in most professional hair colours.
The test uses a small adhesive patch with two tiny squares:
  • One contains a very small amount of PPD
  • One contains no PPD, so you can compare how your skin reacts
When you use Colourstart, you’ll create a Colourstart Passport. This is an online record of your allergy status that you can use for future colour appointments.
Once your passport is complete and up to date, you won’t need to visit the salon for in-person patch tests again.
SET UP YOUR COLOURSTART PASSPORT
You’ll answer a short online questionnaire about your health and colour history.
ORDER YOUR COLOURSTART TEST KIT
Once you’ve set up your Colourstart Passport, you’ll be guided to purchase your at-home test kit online. The kit will be sent to you by post and only needs to be ordered once.
APPLY THE COLOURSTART TEST PATCH AT HOME
Apply the patch to your upper arm, following the instructions provided.
WEAR THE PATCH FOR 48 HOURS
Try to keep the area dry and avoid removing the patch during this time.
REMOVE THE PATCH AND CHECK THE AREA
Look for any redness, itching or inflammation.
UPLOAD YOUR RESULT TO YOUR COLOURSTART PASSPORT
Once complete, your passport will show whether you can proceed with your hair colour service.
SHARE YOUR PASSPORT WITH YOUR SALON
As long as your passport remains valid and up to date, no further patch testing is needed.
We recommend ordering your Colourstart Patch Test 7 days before your appointment and completing the test at least 5 days before your colour appointment, as some reactions can take time to appear.
COLOURSTART BENEFITS
Colourstart allows you to:
  • Complete your patch test at home
  • Avoid extra salon visits before your colour appointment
  • Use the same passport across participating UK salons
Colourstart charge a £15 one-off fee to set up your Colourstart Passport.
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IN-SALON PATCH TESTING

If you’d prefer not to use Colourstart, you can still have a patch test carried out in the salon.
If you choose this option:
  • You’ll need to visit the salon within 5 days and 48 hours before every colour appointment, not just if you haven’t visited in the last 6 months
  • You’ll also be asked to remain in the salon for the 45 minutes the test takes.
Please speak to your salon team to arrange this.
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