Colour Allergy Testing Policy at Ventura Hairdressing in Chandler's Ford
Your safety and wellbeing is always our priority at Ventura. That's why we follow a Colour Allergy Testing Policy for the protection and peace of mind of all our clients.
We are delighted to use the advanced colour allergy screening system from Colourstart. This is a service which tests if you have an allergy to PPD.
With Colourstart you won't have to keep returning to the salon for patch tests ahead of your colour appointments. Instead, you simply download the Colourstart Passport app and create an account. You will then be prompted to purchase a one-off test. After this, each time you book a colour appointment, you simply log into the app. You'll need to answer some simple questions and then we're ready to go with your hair colour.
What are the benefits of using Colourstart?
- You can do it at home – no need to visit the salon. Saving you time and petrol.
- It’s quick, clean, and easy to use with a simple app.
- You can swap between colour brands and ranges with no need to re-test.
- Colourstart is accepted by many top salons. Should you be away from home and want to use another salon, you can just show them your colour passport.
Many clients tell us that the traditional skin testing method is inconvenient for them as they need to make an extra trips to the salon, purely for allergy tests. Colourstart avoids this whilst giving us creative freedom to change shades and ranges without the need to keep re-allergy testing.
Why is Colourstart Ventura's chosen allergy testing method?
The Colourstart patch test is the most sophisticated and advanced skin testing method available. It is licensed by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) as the only clinically proven method of screening for potential allergy to PPD (which is the chemical that causes a reaction).
It also gives us complete creative freedom on the day of your visit. If you’ve tested and had the ‘ok to colour’, we're happy to go ahead and use any colour products in any way we need to.
Getting started with your Colourstart Passport
1) Start by downloading the free ‘Colour start’ app using the links above, then answer the pre-screen questionnaire. NB Please make sure you take the pre-screen questionaire BEFORE buying the test as if you are unable to do the test for any reason, we are unable to refund you. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please contact the salon.
2) Buy and apply your Colourstart Patch following instructions in the video below. PLEASE NOTE: Your test needs to be done at least 4 days ahead of your hair colour appointment, so please order in plenty of time to allow for delivery and processing.
3) Upload your results to your online passport. Share your results with Ventura – we are registered with Colourstart. (Follow the instruction in the APP. Dont forget to photograph the test whilst on, once removed and record the barcode!)
4) Once you have created your passport and completed your first test, any subsequent colour treatments will require you to login to your colour passport to answer the screening questions. Re-testing with a Colourstart test may not be necessary unless something changes. Your Colourstart Passport will confidentially store your records.
How to order your Colourstart test
You can buy it from Ventura or directly online yourself from https://colourscreen.me/
Please don’t buy a test from anywhere else as it may not be genuine, and the barcodes won’t work with the Colourstart passport app.
How much does it cost?
The test costs £15. It is licensed by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), so legally we have to charge for this product.
This is a one-off charge for the lifetime of your passport and over the years it saves you numerous trips back to the salon just for allergy testing. If nothing changes, you may not need to purchase any more tests in the future.
Skin Testing FAQs
Will I need to test every time I have colour?
No. You simply answer a short health-related ‘screening questionnaire’ to check that it is OK for you to have colour again. It’s only in exceptional circumstances that you will not be able to colour, such as if you have had a black henna tattoo.
Why do I need a skintest?
Reactions to hair colour can be serious and even life threatening. There are strict guidelines from manufacturers, insurers, industry bodies and the MHRA around using hair colour. We endeavour to give you peace of mind so that you can safely enjoy your visits to the salon.
Need more information?
We understand this new system may feel a little confusing to start with but it really is super simple once you get used to it. It will save you time and hassle in the future.
More information can be found on our social media pages or visit https://colourstart.com/. Check out the video below for further advice on carrying out your test.
In some cases we do still offer the old method patch test in salon. However, the L'Oreal rules around this have changed and you need to have it AT LEAST 48 hours before your appointment AND IT NEEDS TO GO ON THE INSIDE OF YOUR ARM AND REMAIN UNCOVERED FOR 45 MINS. So please consider what you're wearing if you have to use this method, as the colour will stain your clothes etc if it comes into contact.