Why We're Switching to the Colourstart Patch Test — And Why It's Better for You

If you've ever booked a hair colour appointment with us, you'll know we always ask about patch testing, especially if you're a new guest to the studio. It's not just a box-ticking exercise — it's a genuine safety step that protects you from potentially serious allergic reactions. But the way we patch test has changed, and we want to explain why.

Allergy reaction from hair colour

What Is a Patch Test — and Why Does It Matter?

Hair colour products, particularly permanent and semi-permanent shades, commonly contain a chemical called PPD (para-phenylenediamine). PPD is one of the most frequent causes of allergic contact dermatitis, and reactions can range from mild irritation to severe swelling, blistering, and in rare cases, anaphylaxis.

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act, patch testing before a colour service is a legal requirement for every salon in the UK — not optional, not just for new clients. Anyone can develop a sensitivity at any time, even if they've been colouring their hair for years.

The Problem With Traditional Patch Testing

The old-school approach involves a stylist mixing a small amount of colour product and applying it to the skin — typically now in the crook of the elbow or on the inside of the wrist— 48 hours before the appointment. Sounds straightforward, but there are real problems with this method:

It's inconsistent. There's no standardised amount of PPD used in a blob test. Some salons use more, some use less, and unmeasured quantities can actually expose a client to higher PPD levels than the Colourstart test does — ironically increasing the risk of triggering a sensitivity.

It can cause sensitisation. One of the most counterintuitive problems with traditional patch testing is that the test itself can sensitise a client who wasn't previously allergic. You can go in for a routine test and come out having developed a new allergy.

It requires an extra trip. Clients have to come into the salon 48 hours before their appointment just to have a small amount of product applied. That's inconvenient — and if they forget or can't make it, the appointment either gets cancelled or gets skipped (which is even worse).

It doesn't travel. Every salon does their own test, meaning if a client switches salons, the whole process starts from scratch. There's no transferable record, no continuity.

What Makes Colourstart Different?

Colourstart is the only clinically proven screening test for PPD allergy in the UK. It's recognised by major UK hairdressing trade associations as an approved alternative to the traditional method. Here's what sets it apart:

It's standardised and safer. Each Colourstart kit contains a precisely measured, controlled amount of PPD — a fraction of the levels found in unmeasured blob tests. This dramatically reduces the risk of inducing a new allergy through the test itself.

It's done at home. Clients apply the patch test themselves at home and don't need to come in for a separate pre-appointment visit. Two small squares on the patch — one with PPD, one without — are left on the arm for 48 hours, and the result is self-logged.

It creates a digital record. Once the test is complete, the result is stored in the Colourstart Passport app. Clients share this digital passport with the salon, and because it integrates directly with salon management software, we can instantly verify your status before your appointment. No paperwork, no confusion.

It's transferable. Your Colourstart Passport is yours. If you visit another salon, they can access the same record. You only need to test once (though retesting is recommended if there's been a significant gap), rather than repeating the process at every new salon you visit.

It reduces sensitivity exposure over time. Because Colourstart replaces the need for repeated salon-based tests before each colour, your total PPD exposure is reduced. The more you're exposed to an active sensitiser, the higher the cumulative risk — so testing less frequently with a controlled, clinical-grade product is simply better for your skin.

What Does This Mean for Your Appointment?

Before your colour service, we'll ask you to complete a Colourstart test at home — kits are available to purchase at the salon for £15. Once done, you simply share your Colourstart Passport with us. It's that easy.

If you're a long-standing client who has tested with us previously using the old method, we'll let you know when it's time to move over to Colourstart. Our team is happy to walk you through the process at any point. For a limtied period we are offering existsing clients the patch test for £10 until the end of July.

We know patch testing can feel like admin, but it genuinely exists to keep you safe. The Colourstart system just makes that safety smarter, more convenient, and more reliable for everyone.

Any questions? Just ask at the desk or drop us a message — we're always happy to chat through it.

Have a watch of our video on how to register and perform the test at home.

CLICK HERE