When a hairdresser damages your hair it can be very upsetting and leave you feeling angry, distressed and hopeless. We understand how awful it is when the person you trusted to look after your hair lets you down. Everyday we see the real emotional impact this has on our clients. We can’t rewind the clock and fix your hair, but we can help you to move forward and achieve some sense of justice.
If your hair has snapped after bleaching, you’re not alone. In most cases, it’s a sign of severe damage to the hair shaft rather than permanent hair loss. The most important thing right now is to stop further damage and stabilise your hair. In the first 24–48 hours, you should avoid heat styling, chemical treatments, and excessive brushing, as these can make breakage worse.
What should you do immediately if your hair has snapped after bleaching?
If your hair has snapped after bleaching, it’s important to avoid making the damage worse. In general, people are advised to:
- avoid further bleaching or colouring
- minimise heat styling such as straighteners or hairdryers
- handle the hair gently to reduce further breakage
Because every situation is different, you may wish to seek advice from a qualified hair professional or trichologist before taking further steps. We are not hairdressers or medical professionals. Our focus is on what you should do next in respect of a compensation claim.
So, what should you do if your hair is breaking or snapping off after a treatment at the hair salon? First, try to be calm – time heals and there are options for improving the appearance of your hair on the road to recovery. Hair can’t “heal” but can be managed, breakage can be reduced, although be prepared that trimming may be necessary.
Practical Next Steps:
- If the damage is extensive and/or you are experiencing scalp damage, burning or any pain you should visit your GP, or in extreme circumstances go to A&E. As part of your claim our lawyers will obtain copies of the medical notes made by the doctor during any visit to the GP or hospital and these will form part of the evidence in your claim.
- We advise against any re-bleaching or self treatments before you have been seen by a specialist trichologist.
- Take photos. The more the better. Short videos can also be of assistance. Anything that documents the condition of your hair. Don’t edit or interfere with the pictures – they need to be an honest representation of how your hair was looking at a specific point in time. These pictures will help the trichologist to understand the damage and your recovery and will form part of the evidence in your case.
- Find old photos which show how your hair was prior to the appointment. These will act as a benchmark so the trichologist (and ultimately a Judge) can see how your hair has been affected by the incident.
- Keep receipts and appointment cards and any messages or interactions with the hairdresser or salon. These can be useful when we start building your case. Receipts can include the payment to the hairdresser, but also act as evidence if you have bought any specialist shampoo or medication following the appointment.
- We advise our clients to keep a short journal documenting what happened and how things develop. This can just be a simple note in your phone. Memories do fade so it is very useful to have a written record you can review or share with our lawyers when they are preparing your case – particularly if the salon refuses to deal with your claim and our lawyers advise taking the matter to court.
What Causes Hair to Snap After Bleaching?
Bleach can weaken the hair structure which it makes it brittle and leads to snapping – this can happen if there has been:
- Overprocessing
- Bleach left on too long
- Incorrect strength used
- Poor technique
When is a Hairdresser Responsible?
- failure to carry out strand test
- using excessive bleach
- leaving the bleach on the hair for too long
- ignoring hair condition
How Much Compensation is Paid for Hairdressing Claims?
- Tricky to advise without the evidence, but you might want to look at a couple of case studies from our clients:
- £12,500 Compensation Awarded for Hair Damage
- £21,000 Compensation For Client Whose Hair Was Damaged By Bleach At Salon
Contact us. We are here to help. We are experienced with dealing with people in your situation. As part of your case our lawyers will arrange for you to be seen by a specialist hair scientist, known as a trichologist. They will assess your hair and diagnose what has gone wrong. They will also be able to provide advice about what treatment may assist – for example, specialist shampoos or hair extensions. If such treatments are recommended, these costs can be included as part of your compensation claim. If you submit a form via our contact us page we will arrange for a qualified experienced lawyer to contact you. That lawyer will be the person who will run your case to conclusion so you will only have to tell us the story once. Likewise if you call during office hours, we will connect you with one of our solicitors who will listen to what happened and tell you if we think you have a case. You can call us on 0800 141 3682, you can email us at enquiries@hairdressingclaims.co.uk or you can submit a contact us form.
We look forward to hearing from you and assisting you with your case. We partner with LLB Solicitors, specialist hair injury solicitors – you can read more about them here.
Read about why you can trust us: Why You Can Trust Us With Your Hair Claim
Reviewed and approved by LLB Solicitors
