Skin Testing

Objectives.

To identify the need for skin testing.

The consequences of failing to skin test

Identify methods available for testing

Perform a skin test.

A colour to die for:

This young lady wanted to change the colour of her hair. She visited a professional salon.

They failed to test her for a allergy to PPD.

The result is not what the client expected.

Home colouring

All Willie McCorie of cumbernauld wanted was a crowning glory of dark hair.

He got what he wanted.

He also got this.

Home colour

Home Colour

Yvonne of Carantyne Road tints her hair as before with nice and easy.

This time Yvonne gets a reaction, her eyes swell up, she has an itchy head and her neck swells up.

She thought she was going blind and goes to accident and emergency.

Home Colour

If it requires mixing, it needs testing.

Both these products contain PPD

Permanent colour

Quasi colour

Methods Available

Client visits salon 24 hours prior to appointment, a small amount of tint and peroxide is mixed and applied to clean skin, behind the ear, or the arm.

The client returns the next day for the stylist to check results.

Method 2

A home kit is purchased for a small charge

The client applies the transfer in the bend of the arm the day before her appointment

The stylist checks result

Negative Results

No sign of redness or swelling, the colour can be applied to the hair

Positive Results

Any swelling, itching or redness, the colour must NOT be applied under any circumstances.