Allergy alert tests are vital to protect clients and guard against potentially expensive legal action if something goes wrong. The NHBF's consultation, allergy alert and industry tests toolkits, Hair and /or Beauty, including the NHBF AAT Protocol, offer a simple and highly effective solution for your business.
The NHBF's toolkits are backed by Jensten Insurance Brokers, who offer Members 10% off their total premium. (If you use any other insurance provider, you must check with them that you're covered if you use the NHBF toolkit.)
Contact Jensten Insurance Brokers on 0800 458 8181 or email nhbf@jensten.co.uk.
For more information, click to request a quote.
(If you use any other insurance provider, you must check with them that you're covered if you use the NHBF toolkit.)
This blog post covers:
- Why and how should AATs be done?
- NHBF protocols and NHBF FAQs
- Harmonised ATT FAQs
- Insurance compliance
- NHBF Self-administered allergy alert test products factsheet
- The NHBF consultation, allergy alert, and industry test toolkits
- Making sure your staff and front of house team know what do do
- Checklist
Why and how should AATs be done?
Allergies to hair dyes are rare; most people will have no problems using hair dyes. However, when allergies happen, they can be severe in rare cases. The AAT is an important precaution and gives the client a signal that a reaction may occur if they go on to colour their hair.
Allergies can develop at any stage of life, even after the same product has been used with no problems. This is why it is really important to repeat the AAT regularly.
Read more about hair dyes and allergies at the facts about.
The NHS warns about the dangers of black henna and describes how a woman died from a serious anaphylactic reaction when colouring her hair after having a black henna tattoo five years earlier.
The NHBF protocols, initially developed in 2013, are a series of questions designed to help you judge when an allergy alert test is required. We have been working with CTPA and Jensten Insurance Brokers (previously Coversure Branches Limited) to ensure our consultation, allergy alert and industry Toolkits, including the NHBF AAT Protocols, which are FREE to members, contain the latest information to support their businesses.
Check out the NHBF AAT protocol and FAQ's for more information.
Cosmetics Europe, the European trade association for the cosmetics and personal care industry, has published a Recommendation on the Allergy Alert Test (AAT) for hair colouring products, which will help professionals and clients by providing clear and consistent instructions on how to perform the Allergy Alert Test.
This harmonised process is a very positive step, resulting from several years of work and a scientific study showing that the AAT is effective. It should enable salons to conduct the test the same way for all brands, simplifying the process for salon professionals.
To support our members with the implementation of this harmonised process, the NHBF have produced a series of Frequently Asked Questions to ensure members are above the curve.
It will take time for manufacturers to integrate the Harmonised AAT into their instructions and protocols and to embed good practices across the industry. In the meantime, NHBF protocols and NHBF FAQs should be followed.
Should I follow the instructions or the protocol to comply with my insurance?
Firstly, checking your insurance policy wording to understand whether your insurer has any specific requirements is important. If you are in any doubt about whether the protocol applies to your situation, then follow the manufacturer's instructions. Manufacturers are also happy to answer any questions you might have about which situations their protocols apply to.
The NHBF AAT protocol and FAQs are backed by Jensten Insurance Brokers, who offer Members 10% off their total premium. (If you use any other insurance provider, you must check with them that you're covered if you use the NHBF toolkit.)
You must keep a written record of every test for at least six years. The client must sign each written record.
Consultations:
You must complete a consultation before starting any service or treatment that uses chemicals such as colour, bleach/lightener, perm, and relaxer, as detailed in the hair and beauty guides, which are part of the NHBF toolkits.
Staff qualifications:
- Staff members must hold the appropriate nationally recognised qualification for each service and or treatment they carry out. Contact Jensten Insurance Brokers (or your insurer if not Jensten Insurance Brokers) if you have any unqualified staff providing services or have 'time served'.
Backwash requirements:
- Front wash basins or a purpose-designed neck rest cushion or pad must be used when washing a client's hair.
Our Health and Safety pack for Hair and/or Beauty is a FREE download for members, including Cleaning Schedules.
The health and safety toolkit Hair and /or Beauty contains everything you need to stay safe and legal in your hair salon or barbershop. Available for £65 each to Members (non-members, £99 each).
NHBF Self-administered allergy alert test products factsheet
Following concerns from Members, the NHBF has produced this factsheet to enable Members to make an informed decision on their choice of consumer self-administered Hair and Beauty Allergy Alert Test products or Allergy Alert Test kits.
The NHBF Self-administered allergy alert test products factsheet is FREE for Members.
The NHBF consultation, allergy alert, and industry tests toolkits
The NHBF consultation, allergy alert, and industry tests toolkits
The toolkits are FREE to NHBF Members. Members can CLICK on the link below to download or they can be ordered online or by phone on 01234 831965 (£4.50 p&p).
HAIR
- Guide to consultation, allergy alert and industry tests for hairdressing salons and barber shops
- Allergy alert test poster
- Client information sheets
- Consultation, allergy alert and industry tests record cards
- Example consultation, allergy alert and industry tests record card
- NHBF AAT protocol and FAQs
BEAUTY
You can also download our detailed Members-only guide to GDPR and our GDPR toolkit, which includes templates to help you comply with GDPR.
Also, see the NHBF Qualifications & Age Restrictions Factsheet
Make sure your staff and front of house team know what to do.
All your team, including your reception staff, should know what to do when someone books an appointment as they may require a test, such as an allergy alert test, before their appointment. They must check that the client is over 16 and understand the testing procedures.
New clients must have an allergy alert test at least 48 hours before their appointment.
Returning clients will need an allergy alert test if, for example:
- Your client has not had an allergy alert test for six months.
- Your client has had a tattoo or black henna tattoo.
- You have changed your colour brand or product.
The NHBF AAT protocol and FAQs are backed by Jensten Insurance Brokers, who offer Members 10% off their total premium. (If you use any other insurance provider, you must check with them that you're covered if you use the NHBF toolkit.)
You must keep a written record of every test for at least six years. The client must sign each written record.
Consultations:
You must complete a consultation before starting any service or treatment that uses chemicals such as colour, bleach/lightener, perm, and relaxer, as detailed in the hair and beauty guides, which are part of the NHBF toolkits.
Staff qualifications:
- Staff members must hold the appropriate nationally recognised qualification for each service and or treatment they carry out. Contact Jensten Insurance Brokers (or your insurer if not Jensten Insurance Brokers) if you have any unqualified staff providing services or have 'time served'.
Backwash requirements:
- Front wash basins or a purpose-designed neck rest cushion or pad must be used when washing a client's hair.
Our Health and Safety pack for Hair and/or Beauty is a FREE download for members, including Cleaning Schedules.
The health and safety toolkit Hair and /or Beauty contains everything you need to stay safe and legal in your hair salon or barbershop. Available for £65 each to Members (non-members, £99 each).
Do I need to report a reaction to the manufacturer?
If your client reacts in any way to a product, you should inform the manufacturer as soon as possible. The manufacturer's contact details can be found on the product's packaging, label, or instruction leaflet. Helpful information on reporting unwanted reactions to cosmetic products can be found HERE.
Click HERE for more information on Allergy alert tests and the COVID vaccine.
- Follow the NHBF Code of Conduct
- You MUST do allergy alert testing to protect your clients and avoid legal action ( NHBF AAT protocol and FAQ's)
- Check out the Harmonised AAT FAQ’s and NHBF Self-administered allergy alert test products factsheet
- Check with your insurer. The NHBF AAT protocol and FAQs are backed by Jensten Insurance Brokers (If you use any other insurance provider, you must check with them that you're covered if you use the NHBF toolkit.)
- Order or download the NHBF consultation, allergy alert and industry tests toolkits. Hair, Beauty.
- Make sure all your staff understand the allergy alert testing Protocols.
NHBF Limited is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Jensten Insurance Brokers Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England & Wales, number: 08284692
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