The hidden hazards of holiday hair
With the holiday season now well under way many women will be having extra chemical or heat-based treatments alongside their normal trim, to help them get that all important holiday hair.
Hair relaxing, perming and colouring are all popular during the summer months, although they can result in a lot worse than a one-off bad hair day. As a result personal injury solicitors, Russell Jones & Walker is seeing an increase in claims relating to hair treatments, with hair relaxing, also known as chemical straightening, now topping the list of beauty-related claims.
Physical injuries caused by these treatments may include brittle hair, discolouration, hair breakage, itchy scalps, third degree burns, and in severe cases, permanent partial or full baldness.
Specialist senior litigation executive Partha Biswas who specialises in these types of claims explained: “If hair breaks it will eventually grow back, although depending on the length of the hair this might take years. However in the worst cases follicles are damaged irreparably and the patient will never regain their hair.
“The psychological effect of this on clients can also be long term– many clients feel their self confidence is affected with knock on effects on their personal lives and careers. One lady who I represented felt she could never return to her job dealing with the public.”
Currently hair treatments, along with many other non-invasive beauty procedures, such as waxing, and nail care, are unregulated meaning there is no legal requirement for individuals to complete training before treating members of the public.
Mr Biswas continued: “Since training isn’t a legal requirement it puts the onus, rightly or wrongly, firmly on the client to check out the hairdresser’s qualifications.
“As with anything it pays to do your research; find out how long your hairdresser has been offering the treatment in question, ask around for recommendations and always ensure you have a patch test before going ahead with treatment. In fact, if a salon doesn’t insist on doing a patch test first, it’s almost always a bad sign; my advice would be to walk away.
“It’s also worth checking if your salon has public liability insurance. Again, this isn’t a legal requirement but if your salon doesn’t have it, it’s often much harder to obtain compensation.”
What to do if you suffer an adverse reaction to your hair treatment
1. Seek medical advice: Visit your GP or another health professional as soon as possible. Describe the treatment you’ve had and, if possible, provide the names of the chemicals that were used.
2. Advise your salon immediately: Get in touch with your salon and let them know what has happened. They may be able to provide useful information which you can pass on to your doctor.
3. Remember disclaimers usually aren’t legally binding: If you were asked to sign a disclaimer before your treatment it’s worth remembering that the vast majority of disclaimers have no legal standing. They are simply designed to discourage you from pursuing the compensation you may be entitled to. Seek legal advice - chances are you will still be able to pursue your claim.
4. Keep a record: Make notes of the symptoms you’re experiencing and how long they have been affecting you. Back up your notes with photos.
5. Choose your solicitor with care: Ensure you choose a solicitor who has experience in dealing with this type of personal injury and who will understand the psychological impact it can have. This will ensure you receive the correct level of compensation.