You must have stumbled upon the term patch test when you visited your hair salon for any types of hair coloring or highlights. Every one of you or rather every woman in the world more or less know the meaning of a Patch Test, but have you realized how important a patch test is and what consequences it could bring if neglected or skipped?

How many times have you gone for a hair dye or have gotten highlights or streaking done on your hair? Most probably many times or at least once in your life if not many times. How many times have you skipped a patch test just because you will have to go twice to the hair salon, one for the patch test and one for the actual appointment if everything is well.

How many times have you purchased a DIY hair dye and done at home without doing a patch test? Multiple times right? Fortunately you were not allergic to the ingredients of any hair dye but that does not mean you will be in the future when you get your dyed. If you are allergic to any of the content of the hair dye then it could lead to serious skin burns and problems.

What Is A Patch Test?

A patch test is a process or a procedure which is done by hair coloring experts and hairdressers to see if the dye or color does not cause any chemical reaction or hazard to the skin. This test is done 24 to 48 hours prior to the actual dying, streaking and highlighting procedure to the hair. It is a straightforward way of knowing whether the color will cause any allergic reaction to the skin or not.

Why Is A Patch Test Important?

Before you get to know the answer of this question, just Google what are the consequences of an allergic reaction of hair dye on the skin and you will be horrified. Yes the consequences of an allergic reaction are really harmful, it could lead to skin burns, skin issues, complete hair fall and other drastic problems. Some salon owners provide insurance to the clients if there is any reaction, but thousands will be spent on treatments of the burns on the scalp and skin.

Usually the patch test is done when the hair dye comes in contact with the scalp. No matter how carefully the hairdresser applies the dye, it tends to come in contact with the scalp. In streaking foils are applied which can cause the dye to leak to the scalp.

It is important to get a patch test done so the hairdresser and you will know that you are not allergic to the contents and ingredients of the hair dye. Usually a small amount of dye is applied on the skin (mostly behind the ear) from a cotton ball to check whether you are allergic or not.

The importance of a patch test can be known from the fact that it has now been made a legal requirement under section 3 of the health and safety at work act for all salon owners and failure to comply has led to prosecution and heavy fines. Why the government has made it compulsory because allergic reaction to hair dyes has caused people to even lose their life.

Can Patch Test Be Done At Home?

Most people prefer easy shampoo dyes or home coloring DIY hair dye kits readily available in the stores. It is important to do a patch test yourself before the actual coloring process. But you should have the complete knowhow on how to do the patch test at home correctly. Sometimes people also prefer to do patch test at home when they have an appointment at the hairdresser. But you should know that it is important to do it at least 24 hours before the appointment and better is to do 48 hours. Also the mixing of the hair dye should be in exact proportion as the actual hair dye.

Also no two people are the same, if one person did not get any reaction from the dye, it is not necessary that you will also not. So, next time get a patch test done when you visit your hair highlights salon. Hypno