With the second national lockdown finally at an end, hairdressing salons can operate once again in a Covid-secure manner under the new tier system. Unlike the earlier-in-the-year tier system whereby hairdressers faced potential closure in tier 3 subject to local authority rulings, salons are now permitted to remain open across all tiers as part of the government’s Covid winter plan.
This is welcome news to hairdressers (and other non-essential business owners) who have faced their most challenging year ever in 2020 by closing their doors for five months from the combined lockdowns.
Having lost almost half of their annual income this year, many salons have shut permanently as a direct result of financial losses incurred. Other salons have blatantly and illegally ignored temporary closure requirements, racking up fines of tens of thousands of pounds for repeated breaches in the process such as this salon in Oakenshaw.
It’s worth a reminder about the strict rules that should be adhered to by hairdressers, barbers and their clients. Necessarily so in our country’s efforts to prevent the spread of coronavirus and, ultimately, save lives. Access our ‘New-normal hairdressing regime’ and ‘Hairdressing without the small talk’ blogs to read about what the hairdressing experience looks like post lockdown. On top of this is the additional need to display the official NHS QR code poster from the new contact tracing app.
To operate and act responsibly, it’s vitally important for hairdressers to maintain standards during the backlog-of-appointments rush. Cutting corners can cause injury in the form of cuts, burns, blisters, breakage and other damage to the hair and scalp. Due care and attention are essential always. This includes undergoing patch or strand tests, even if these pre-appointment checks introduce a slight time delay.
To jog your memory of the dangers of negligent hairdressing, revisit our previous blog titled ‘Bad salon warning signs’.
Contact our legal team in confidence if you’ve suffered harm by your stylist to find out your next steps in pursuing a compensation claim.
2020 has been a year like no other. If you’re as keen to look ahead to 2021 as we are, this blog’s right up your street. Today, we predict what are tipped to be the prominent hair trends of the coming year. Here, not only do we analyse haircuts, we also delve into in-vogue accessories and all-the-rage colours too.
Get your hair ready for 2021 here…
1. Holiday hair None of us can go jet setting around the world at the moment but that doesn’t mean we can’t still achieve ‘holiday hair’. Cut long hair into natural-looking layers, use balayage to recreate sun-kissed colouring and style into voluminous waves. It’s ideal for both laid-back appearances and formal occasions.
2. Pixie cut Short pixie cuts are a super-edgy, stand-out style favoured by celebrities and ‘normal’ people alike. If you’re seeking out a bold makeover with easy-to-maintain hair, be brave and opt for a contemporary pixie crop.
3. Bobs in every length Bob haircuts continue to be one of the most eye-catching ‘dos that dominate right now. Whether it’s a jaw-length bob, down to the shoulder or longer and has a sleek finish or is in simple light waves, it’s a low maintenance, versatile yet chic style ideal for our current times.
4. Messy shag haircut The messy shag can be cut into short and long hair. It’s effectively layered to various lengths so that the hair’s fuller around the crown and thins towards the edges. Very rock ‘n’ roll requiring minimal-to-zero styling, it’s the go-to cut for hip, busy individuals.
5. Messy or smooth… anything goes for updos The timeless, smooth low bun or ponytail are an irresistible blend of effortlessly elegant and highly polished vibe. In contrast to these flawless finishes, messy updos are equally eye-catching and appear somewhat more organic. The added bonus is these styles are quick to create and suit everyone.
6. Bigger is better for accessories Having made a major comeback of late, accessories are a sought-after trend into 2021. The more extravagant, the better. Anything goes – decorative hair clips, padded headbands, ribbons, scarves and, even, old-school bandanas.
7. Colour is all about balayage, highlights, red and individuality 2021 will showcase a mixed bag of colour trends from balayage effect (caramel with different warm undertones), highlights (light brown and warm blonde are the ‘in’ thing), rich red tones (muted red-dark brown combo) and strong colours (be inspired by the rainbow!).
8. Natural textures and braids The natural hair movement we wrote about recently shows no signs of slowing down. People are embracing who they really are – including their hair. Coarse, frizzy, curly or fine – whatever – instead of hiding or flattening our natural texture, we’re accentuating it. Braids are similarly trending for those with longer hair to attain an iconic look.
Whether you decide to play it safe or be adventurous with your hair in 2021, it’s worth re-reading our earlier tips about using DIY hair dyes and heeding our warnings about the importance of selecting a trustworthy hairdresser for your in-salon cut, dye and other treatments. It’s the difference between feeling a million dollars with your new hair and suffering harm (such as hair breakage, hair damage, scalp burns and scalp blisters).
Plus, remember that our specialist solicitors can step in to help if you need to pursue a legal claim against your hairdresser.
COVID-19’s had a profound and long-lasting impact on all aspects of our lives – from our mental and physical health to our income and job security. The changes to these many facets of our lives have been heavily documented in news headlines since March. By now, we’re well versed in our ever-evolving lifestyles as instigated by the pandemic.
But what about other, subtler alterations to our daily habits? In today’s blog, we delve under the radar to analyse specifically how we’re now looking after our hair…
You see, both lockdowns have been characterised by have-a-go haircuts and DIY hair jobs at home, occasionally culminating in less-than-desirable results. Sales of hair clippers and box dyes have skyrocketed as we’ve set about the task of lockdown hair maintenance ourselves.
Lockdown has also become known as the period during which a small contingent of rule-breakers engaged the services of their hairdressers illegally. Although forbidden to do so, reports of underground hairdressing have been rife, evidenced by bulk buying of salon-professional products.
When salons finally reopened their doors from the first lockdown on 4th July, we headed in our droves back to our hairdresser’s for correctional appointments and ‘proper’ haircuts (not just a simple trim). Interestingly, a significant proportion of people actually did the opposite – embraced their hair au naturel and chose low-maintenance colour treatments instead. We described these post-lockdown tendencies in our earlier blog.
Fast forward to now with a second lockdown in place to control the spread of coronavirus and a transformational experience awaiting us at the salon when they reopen their doors for a second time this year, what are our hair care habits? Here’s what we’ve found:-
#1: Less is still more in terms of maintenance
We lasted five months without visiting the salon and the future remains uncertain with the second lockdown still in place forcing hair salons to close yet again. Because of this, women are looking for hairstyles requiring minimal upkeep more than ever.
#2: Indulgence in self care
It thus follows that we’re investing heavily in washing, treatment and styling products to care for our hair at home. A figure being bandied around on the internet is 34% of women increasing spending on hair products to achieve the salon-at-home appearance.
#3: Longer gaps between appointments
With the vast majority of us having gone so long without a professional haircut and some realising that our own attempts at hair maintenance weren’t too bad after all, plus that the financial savings to be made are sizeable, we’re waiting longer between one appointment and the next. When we’re able to go to the salon, that is. For these monetary benefits, we’re willing to forgo our pre-COVID regular hair schedules.
#4: Switch from salon to mobile hairdressing
A number of factors are in play here. Rising unemployment figures and limits on how many clients are allowed in salons at once have led to growing volumes of hairdressers going mobile. Additionally, as a consequence of customers feeling uncomfortable in the salon due to extra security measures or health concerns and tighter finances because of reductions in earnings, more customers are booking home visits. Again, only when restrictions permit.
#5: Localised business support
Refocused priorities on the environment and localisation during lockdown mean we’re trying to lesson our carbon footprint and help businesses in our close vicinity so they can weather the storm which continues to rage. In other words, we’re favouring salons situated nearby as opposed to travelling further afield. This could be bad news for big brands but great news for small-scale hair salons.
Time will tell if these trends will carry on beyond COVID-19. If you can relate your current experiences with any of the above, we’d like to conclude with a note of caution. Always be mindful of adhering carefully to instructions on home hair kits so you don’t suffer harm at your own hands.
Similarly, if choosing mobile hairdressing services upon lockdown lifting, check that your stylist has adequate insurance cover. The risks are different and typically higher for home rather than salon hairdressing. You need to know that compensation can be claimed, should you get wounded by your hairdresser. Read our ‘6 reasons to sue your hairdresser’ blog to discover what can (and does) go wrong, from burns and chemical injuries to cuts and trips – applicable both to salon and home.
Remember, too, that help is readily available for individuals subjected to hairdresser negligence who want to launch legal action. Contact us in confidence for a free, no obligation consultation.
Unfortunately, bad hairdressing happens to most of us. When you consider that you may attend nine or more hairdressing appointments each year (although perhaps less currently, due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions and appointment backlogs), it’s pretty much inevitable that you won’t always be fully satisfied with your hair after every single salon visit. As with any service provider, the person delivering the service will have the occasional ‘off’ day, after all. Plus, there could be times when you fail to convey your requirements to the letter.
But what exactly should you tolerate as a poor one-off experience and what can you do if you want to take the matter further? Making a consumer complaint and filing a legal claim are the two distinct routes you can take here. Your choice between these two options depends upon the extent of your dissatisfaction and whether or not any physical harm was involved.
To pursue the first – consumer complaint – you must raise this directly with your hairdresser by quoting your prerogatives under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. To lodge the second – legal claim – you need to instruct the expertise of a lawyer, ideally on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis as this involves less risk on your part, such as our Hairdressing Claims team.
To help you decide your next steps, we’ve created a handy table showing the types of problems encountered at the hairdressers which constitute either a consumer complaint or legal claim…
CONSUMER COMPLAINT
Not receiving the cut or style you requested, for example getting a severe cut instead of a trim. The resolution comes in the form of an offer to put things right, or full or partial refund.
Colour treatment not turning out as promised and should be re-done.
Damage to your personal belongings, be it clothes, bags or other items, which is irreversible and necessitates replacement.
The amount charged for hairdressing services is higher than the cost quoted at the beginning or pre-appointment. A fee re-assessment is in order.
LEGAL CLAIM
Chemical injury resulting from over- or mis-application of hair dye, perming or straightening products.
Burn to your hair or scalp from incorrect and negligent use of hot styling tools like hairdryers, curling tongs and straightening irons.
Cuts and bleeding to your scalp, face, neck or ear due to misuse of sharp objects, these being scissors, shavers and razors.
Slips and trips in unnoticed spillage or unswept hair causing bruises, sprains and broken bones.
Beauty parlour syndrome, officially called vertebrobasilar insufficiency, which is the result of inadequate neck support and hyperextended positioning over the washing basin.
We wrote recently about the impact of coronavirus on our hair; this being cumulative hair shedding and extreme hair loss. Here, we cover a new COVID-19 related phenomenon which is, as yet, not supported by sufficient scientific evidence… heightened sensitivity to hair dye.
According to a hair salon in London, people who’ve tested positive for or strongly suspect they’ve contracted COVID-19 in the past are suffering dangerous reactions to hair dye, even when they’ve had the same dye applied several times previously and not reacted negatively to it on any other occasion.
Just to highlight how potentially serious an allergic reaction to hair dye can be, symptoms variously include: an angry rash anywhere on the body; blisters or welts; stinging or burning sensation to the scalp, face or neck; itching or swelling to the scalp, eyelids, lips, hands or feet; feeling lightheaded or faint; wheezing and difficulty breathing or swallowing; nausea and vomiting; and collapsing or becoming unconscious.
The most severe of these signs are part of anaphylaxis and may not occur until hours or even days after your hair appointment. Read our earlier blog titled ‘Near-death experience following severe hair dye reaction’ to see just how life-threatening and life-limiting an adverse reaction to hair dye can be.
Because of stronger sensitivity evident in COVID-19 survivors, this London salon’s hairdressing clients are being asked to undergo patch and strand tests up to 48 hours before having their hair dyed, or eyelashes and eyebrows tinted.
At Hairdressing Claims, we would argue that these tests should be performed anyway, regardless of COVID-19. Allergic reactions can happen at any time due to the chemical paraphenylenediamine; a known irritant and allergen.
Any reputable hairdresser will insist on testing before undergoing chemical treatments like hair dyeing. They’ll also follow other safety precautions such as only leaving dye on your hair for the required time and immediately rinsing out using a mild shampoo at the slightest hint of a bad reaction.
We all know the effect coronavirus can have on our health. But what about the impact on our hair? Hair experts – called trichologists – report two ways in which COVID-19 can generate greater-than-normal hair loss, these being…
1. Cumulative hair shedding While lockdown measures are easing now for most of us, there are still local restrictions in place throughout the UK and many people aren’t yet venturing into the office for work or even going out much to socialise. In other words, we’re still spending the biggest proportion of our time at home.
As such, our regular hair maintenance schedule has gone out of the window somewhat. Less pressure to look our best has resulted in a relaxation of our hair regime – that’s washing, brushing and styling.
You see, every time we do the above, we shed a certain amount of hair. Up to 100 hairs per wash, we’re led to believe. Doing it less means we shed more in one go because of the build up in between times.
The important thing is not to worry about this accumulated hair fall. Instead, switch back to your normal timings to fix the problem. It’s also better for your hair and scalp to keep them clean and healthy anyway.
2. Hair loss after contracting COVID-19 At the opposite end of the spectrum, some survivors of COVID-19 claim to have suffered more extreme hair loss both during and after the infection. A consistently high temperature is one of many symptoms of coronavirus. Fevers almost always cause excessive hair loss but this will stop eventually and hair will revert back to its usual rate of growth.
Similarly, those who’ve recovered from COVID-19 can struggle with psychological effects including telogen effluvium. This is the name for hair loss triggered by cortisol release in turn triggered by stressors on the body – in this case, illness.
Should you be concerned that this is happening to you, seek medical attention as the first step towards correctional treatment.
While on the subject of hair loss and hair damage generally, it’s worth noting our earlier blog posts for rejuvenation tips titled ‘Recovery for ravaged hair’ and ‘How to care for damaged hair’. Although relating specifically to harm caused at the hairdresser’s – such as burns, blisters and breakage resulting from negligent use of chemicals and hot styling products – you’ll find all manner of useful advice to get your hair in perfect shape again.
As experts in claims against hairdressers, these are subjects we know a lot about simply because we see first-hand what can and does happen at the hands of our hairdressers. Do get in touch with us if you’re keen to learn more about pursuing a legal claim for compensation.
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