Mosaic X Colourstart

If you get your hair coloured, you’ll probably have heard of skin testing. Not just used in hair salons, but also for lash and brow tinting and anything involving hair dye, chances are you’ve come across it before. The reason we take skin testing as seriously as we do is that an allergic reaction to hair dye can range from mild irritation to severe complications.

Therefore, we choose to work with a company called Colourstart, who offer an FDA approved ‘passport’ system. This is an online app that can show whether someone may be allergic to one of the ingredients, called PPD, used in hair colourants.

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What is Colourstart?

Colourstart is a revolutionary digital skin testing system designed specifically for hair colouring services. It helps to identify any potential allergic reactions you might have to hair dye ingredients. Unlike traditional patch tests, Colourstart now offers a more efficient, accurate, and convenient way to test for allergies, ensuring your experience is both safe and enjoyable.

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How Does Colourstart Passport Work?

1. Purchase Your Colourstart Test

   Before your salon appointment, you'll need to purchase a Colourstart skin test. This can be done online or directly at our salon. We sell them at face value, exactly what we buy them for, which is £15. This is a one time purchase.
   
   

2. Apply the Test Patch

   The test comes with simple instructions on how to apply the patch to your skin. Typically, it should be placed on a clean, dry area such as the inner arm. The patch contains a small amount of the hair dye allergens.
   
   

3. Register and Record

   After applying the test, register your Colourstart Passport online. This digital platform allows you to record your results and provides a comprehensive history of your allergy status.
   When you buy the test in-salon, we can help you apply the patch and set up your app.

4. Wait and Observe

   Leave the patch on for the specified time, usually 48 hours, and monitor your skin's reaction. During this period, you should avoid washing the area or exposing it to excessive sweat or friction.
   
   

5. Assess the Results

   After 48 hours, check the test area. If there's no sign of irritation, you're likely not allergic to the dye. Record your results on the Colourstart Passport app for future reference.
   
   

6. Ongoing

   Going forward, prior to every colour appointment you have you simply log onto the app, answer some basic health questions, and the app will be able to determine if anything has changed for you and ultimately determine whether you are safe to carry out your appointment. Yep, you read that right - no more skin testing before every appointment!

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So, that’s the how (and it really is that simple)! But what about the why?

Allergic reactions can be serious - symptoms might include redness, itching, swelling, or even blistering of the skin. With the Colourstart Passport, we can identify if you're susceptible to these reactions, and prevent any adverse effects.

To put it simply, your health and wellbeing is paramount to us, and by using this service we can ensure that you are safe from allergic reactions.

What we love about Colourstart

It gives you - the client - control and empowerment. You are in control of your health.

It’s super easy to set up, and we can help you along the way too.

It gives you flexibility in-salon. Unlike patch testing, this will cover you for every single hair colour.
Often in the salon we use multiple colours for your hair to achieve the perfect result, and often this can change at the last minute due to a whole variety of reasons. If we were using a patch testing method, we’d have to blob you with 50 different shades of tint just to make sure each one was okay for you. Not only would this mean a huge dose of PPD, but you’d also walk out of here looking like a dot-to-dot! Colourstart gives your stylist the freedom to achieve your perfect colour every time.

Colourstart is a longstanding, trusted company in the beauty industry. In fact, Colourstart is the only clinically proven screening test for hair colour allergy in the UK, and is licensed by the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency). We trust them, and so can you.

Once you’re set up, there’s no delay. As you continue to get your hair coloured you can simply answer the questions and you’re good to go. No more waiting 48 hours to see if you react - you can now snap up a last minute appointment or get lucky with a walk-in!

It’s called a ‘Passport’ for a reason - it can be used anywhere! Your Colourstart Passport is not just valid at Mosaic, if Colourstart says you’re good to go, then you’re good to go anywhere, any time!

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At Mosaic we are committed to providing a safe and enjoyable salon experience, ensuring you can enjoy your new hair with confidence, and without any worries. We want you to know that with this in place you can do so with peace of mind, knowing that your health and safety are well taken care of. If you have any additional questions, speak to your stylist, ask at reception or send us a message. We are here to help!