Why a Patch Test Matters Before Colour
A small step, taken a day or two ahead, that can save you a genuinely bad reaction on the day of your appointment.
A patch test is a small amount of colour product applied to your skin, then checked 24–48 hours later for any reaction. It's most important the first time you're coloured at a new salon, after switching colour brands, or if you've reacted to hair dye before. If any of that applies to you, mention it when you book so we can plan the timing together.
What a Patch Test Actually Involves
It's simpler than it sounds. A small amount of the actual colour product is applied to a patch of skin — usually behind the ear or on the inner elbow — then left alone for 24 to 48 hours. You're checking for redness, itching, swelling or burning at the test site. No reaction means the product is very unlikely to cause a problem on your scalp. A reaction means your colourist now knows to avoid that product entirely, before it ever touches your head.
Why It's Worth Doing Even If You've Coloured Before
A patch test isn't only for first-timers. Sensitivity to hair dye — particularly to PPD, a common ingredient in permanent colour — can develop at any point, even after years of trouble-free colouring. Switching salons, switching colour brands, or simply time passing are all enough to change how your skin reacts. If any of those apply since your last colour appointment, it's worth a fresh test rather than assuming last time's result still holds.
What Happens If You Skip It
Most appointments go perfectly well without incident. But an allergic reaction to colour can range from mild scalp irritation to a much more serious reaction requiring medical attention — and it's not something a colourist can predict just by looking at you. The test exists precisely because there's no other reliable way to know in advance.
How to Plan One Around Your Booking
Because it needs 24 to 48 hours to show a result, a patch test has to happen before your appointment day — not on it. If you'd like one, the easiest approach is to mention it when you book, so we can talk through the timing together.
If you notice redness, swelling, blistering or burning at the test site, don't proceed with that colour — rinse the area and let us know, and see a doctor if the reaction is severe or doesn't settle.
A Quick Note on Comfort, Not Just Safety
Beyond allergic reactions, a consultation also gives us a chance to flag anything else worth knowing — sensitive scalp, recent treatments, or hair that's been coloured at home — all of which shape how we approach your appointment, patch test or not.