Patch test frequently asked questions:

Patch Test, all you need to know before the eyelash application.

If you have been taught that there is no need to carry out a patch test prior to applying a set of eyelash extensions to a client for the first time in your salon (as it is not a manufacturer's requirement) this would be acceptable for any membership insurance.

However, if you feel you would like to offer a patch test to your new client's, there is no reason why you should not do this for your own peace of mind.

We strongly advice that a patch test must be done during the client`s consultation for eyelash extensions, for those clients with sensitive eyes or any sort of allergies, this just to ensure there will be no further reactions after the semi-permanent eyelash extensions is done.

 How do I know my client has any allergies?

Simply by asking some safety questions during the consultation, although reactions to eyelash extension adhesives are very rare, and happens only in 5% of the cases. To avoid further unwanted problems a simple precautionary patch test, prior to application of semi-permanent eyelashes will solve any problem than may occur and will give you piece of mind.

 Why conduct a patch test prior to applying semi-permanent eyelashes?

By conducting a patch test you are protecting both your client (safety wise) and yourself (from costly litigation) if you have provided a patch test prior to eyelash extension treatment. The patch test is designed to ensure that your client is not allergic to eyelash extension adhesive vapours / fumes.

 Where a patch test should be applied for eyelash extensions?

We advise the eyelash technicians to use two separate types of eyelash extension Adhesive during the patch test, Level 1 (sensitive eyes) and Level 2 (medium / normal eyes).

Never use a Level 3 (Professional) on clients with any sort of allergies or sensitive eyes as these adhesives are very strong and will give a unwanted allergy reaction to your clients eyes.

Methods of doing the patch test:  

• To apply just three eyelash extensions at the outer corners of each eye (Use the level 1 in one side and level 2 on the other) and allow 24 hours to see if any reaction was caused. If you adopt this method and the client has reacted to the stronger Adhesive (Level 2), but not the sensitive adhesive (Level 1), you may still be able to apply eyelash extensions to your client (at your own professional discretion, of course). We would also advise checking the terms of your insurance agreement with your provider.
• This second method is easier and quicker, as you just need to drop a small amount (drop) of each adhesive, a Level 1 adhesive (sensitive eyes) and a Level 2 adhesive (medium / normal eyes). Drop right behind the client’s ear, on the lower side, as this is a very sensitive area and allow 24 hours to see if any reaction was caused. If you adopt this method and the client has reacted to the stronger Adhesive (Level 2), will show a red reaction around the drop; but not the sensitive adhesive (Level 1), you may still be able to apply eyelash extensions to your client (at your own professional discretion, of course). We would also advise checking the terms of your insurance agreement with your provider.

  Which sort of reaction the client`s may have?

After completing and the patch test was carried out, and reactions occurred,  there will signs of redness, itching, swolling or blistering on the eyes area, once the adhesive is removed all reactions will disappear.

 Patch test to the manufactures specifications.

 The Adhesives used for eyelash extensions are a medical grade and is only to be applied to client`s natural lashes, not the skin. It is very unlikely that clients will experience an allergic reaction;

For these reasons the manufacturers do not require a patch test, however, if you feel you would like to offer a patch test to your new client's, there is no reason why you should not do this for your own peace of mind. 

COSHH FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

All you need to know about the wait to work and storage hazardous substancies in your salon and be compliant with the European Laws.

1 - What is COSHH? 

COSHH is the law that requires employers to control substances that are hazardous to health. You can prevent or reduce workers' exposure to hazardous substances by:

• finding out what the health hazards are;
• deciding how to prevent harm to health (risk assessment);
• providing control measures to reduce harm to health;
• making sure they are used ;
• keeping all control measures in good working order;
• providing information, instruction and training for employees and others;
• providing monitoring and health surveillance in appropriate cases;
• planning for emergencies.

Most businesses use substances, or products that are mixtures of substances. Some processes create substances. These could cause harm to employees, contractors and other people.

Sometimes substances are easily recognised as harmful. Common substances such as paint, bleach or dust from natural materials may also be harmful.

 2 - What is a ‘substance hazardous to health’?

COSHH covers

COSHH covers substances that are hazardous to health. Substances can take many forms and include:

• chemicals
• products containing chemicals
• fumes
• dusts
• vapours
• mists
• nanotechnology
• gases and asphyxiating gases and
• biological agents (germs). If the packaging has any of the hazard symbols then it is classed as a hazardous substance.
• germs that cause diseases such as leptospirosis or legionnaires' disease and germs used in laboratories.
• Read more about COSHH and what you need to do and COSHH assessments.
• lead,
• asbestos or
• radioactive substances

 

COSHH does not cover

because these have their own specific regulations.

3 - I’m self-employed.  Does COSHH apply to me?

Yes. 

If you have employees (you control their work), every part of COSHH applies.

If you have no employees (but you take hazardous substances to other people's premises), all parts of COSHH regulations apply except those about monitoring and health surveillance.

4 - What you need to do:

Think about

• What do you do that involves hazardous substances?
• How can these cause harm?
• How can you reduce the risk of harm occurring?

Always try to prevent exposure at source. For example:

• Can you avoid using a hazardous substance or use a safer process – preventing exposure, eg using water-based rather than solvent-based products, applying by brush rather than spraying?
• Can you substitute it for something safer – eg swap an irritant cleaning product for something milder, or using a vacuum cleaner rather than a brush?
• Can you use a safer form, eg can you use a solid rather than liquid to avoid splashes or a waxy solid instead of a dry powder to avoid dust?

Check your trade press and talk to employees. At trade meetings, ask others in your industry for ideas.

If you can’t prevent exposure, you need to control it 'adequately' by applying the principles of good control practice.

Control is adequate when the risk of harm is ‘as low as is reasonably practicable’. 

This means:

• All control measures are in good working order.
• Exposures are below the Workplace Exposure Limit, where one exists.
• Exposure to substances that cause cancer, asthma or genetic damage is reduced to as low a level as possible.

COSHH assessment: Identifying hazard and assessing risk:

You are probably already aware of many risks in your trade or industry. A COSHH assessment concentrates on the hazards and risks from substances in your workplace.

Remember that hazards and risks are not limited to substances labelled as ‘hazardous’.

Steps to making a COSHH assessment:

• Walk around your workplace. Where is there potential for exposure to substances that might be hazardous to health?

Examples include processes that emit dust, fume, vapour, mist or gas; and skin contact with liquids, pastes and dusts. Substances with workplace exposure limits (WELs) are hazardous to health.

• In what way are the substances harmful to health?

Get safety data sheets, and read your trade magazines. Some substances arise from processes and have no safety data sheet. Examples include fume from welding or soldering, mist from metalworking, dust from quarrying, gases from silage. Look at the HSE web pages for your trade or industry - Your Industry.

• What jobs or tasks lead to exposure?

Note these down. Note down what control measures you already use. For these jobs, how likely is any harm to workers’ health?

• Are there any areas of concern, e.g. from the Accident Book?

Examples include burns from splashes, nausea or lightheadedness from solvents, etc

HSE has produced general guidance called 5 steps to risk assessment. You can apply this to substances hazardous to health. More detailed guidance is in the free booklet on working with substances hazardous to health. Working with substances hazardous to health: What you need to know about COSHH. INDG136 [190KB] 

The info online: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg136.pdf

 

Safety data sheets provide information on substances that are ‘dangerous for supply’. Other substances should have instructions for safe use.

By law, your supplier must give you an up to date safety data sheet for a substance that is ‘dangerous for supply’. Safety Data Sheets are often hard to understand, though this explanation might help.

Keeping a copy of the safety data sheet is not a COSHH assessment.

 

5 - What training / qualifications should I have to carry out COSHH assessments?

You don’t need any particular qualifications but you must be competent. This means you must have the necessary knowledge, skills and experience to do the job properly. You should:

• understand hazard and risk
• know how the work can expose people to substances hazardous to health
• have the ability (and authority) to collect all the necessary information
• have the knowledge, skills and experience to make the right decisions about how to control exposure.

 

 6 - Do we need to record COSHH assessments on a specific form?

No.  Risk assessments may vary in their complexity, so you are free to use something that works for you. However, make sure you cover the key points:

• what are the dangers, and to whom, doing what task
• what control measures could prevent harm
• using these control measures and checking that they work

 

7 - How do I get safety data sheets and how do I use them?

 

If a substance is ‘dangerous for supply’, the supplier must send you a data sheet when the product is first ordered, if the formulation changes, or if you ask for a sheet.  If it is not ‘dangerous for supply’ the supplier should include instructions for safe use with the package.  Report suppliers who refuse to provide safety information to HSE.
The parts of a safety data sheet you may find most useful are:

• Part 1, the supplier’s contact details
• Parts 4 to 8, first aid, fire-fighting, spills, and storage and handling
• Part 10, reactivity
• Part 13, safe disposal
• Part 15, the risk phrases or hazard statements on the product label.

• ‘COSHH essentials’ needs information from:

• Part 9, the boiling point of a liquid
• Part 15, the risk phrases or hazard statements for the product

 

 

For full information about Salon Health and Safety (COSHH) visit the government web site: http://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/index.htm