Important Allergy Testing Update at MINT Hair London

Why Are We Making a Change?

Your safety and wellbeing have always been incredibly important to us. As professional colourists, we have a duty of care to make sure we’re following the latest industry and manufacturer guidelines when it comes to allergy testing. 

Colour products contain chemicals that can, in some circumstances, cause an allergic reaction. Although serious reactions are rare, they can be extremely dangerous, which is why correct allergy testing is something we take very seriously. For many years, the traditional Allergy Alert Test (AAT) has been the standard way of testing. However, the professional guidelines around colour testing have recently changed. In 2024, a new harmonised professional skin-testing protocol was introduced by leading industry bodies and associations.

This provides a clear benchmark for colour safety that hair professionals, insurers and colour brands should follow. Under the updated guidelines, the traditional AAT now needs to be carried out 48 hours before every colour application. This involves applying a mixture of colour and oxidant to the inner forearm, leaving it for 45 minutes before rinsing it off, and then waiting 48 hours before having your colour service.

Whilst we completely understand the importance of this, we also recognise that this would be incredibly inconvenient for you - and unfortunately isn’t practical for us to manage alongside our salon appointments. So, we have found a better solution! We are really pleased to be introducing Colourstart as our new colour allergy screening system.

What Does This Mean For You?

We think this will make the whole colour-testing process much easier and more convenient, whilst allowing us to continue putting your safety first and following the latest professional guidelines. There is a £15 cost for the Colourstart test. As this is a medical test, the price is set by Colourstart and covers the test itself and the associated administration. This isn’t a profit-making item for the salon. We’ll get you set up with Colourstart together at your next colour appointment, so you’ll be all ready to go for future appointments.

Thank you for supporting us. We really appreciate your understanding and support as we make this important change. We’ve spent a lot of time researching the new requirements and looking at the most practical and reliable way to continue keeping our colour clients safe. We’re really happy to have found a solution that allows us to do this without adding the inconvenience of a new test before every colour appointment. We hope you’ll be as pleased with the new system as we are!

Thank you, as always, for trusting us with your hair and for supporting MINT salon in Battersea.