When Your Hair Do Goes Wrong

Getting your hair done is a big treat, and you expect to come out of the hairdresser feeling glamorous and like a million dollars. Unfortunately, sometimes it doesn't go according to plan, and you're not happy with the result. What are your rights when it comes to your 'do' and what can you do if it all goes horrible wrong?

Nasty Reactions

One very important thing with any chemical hair treatment is that you let the hairdresser carry out a patch test which involves putting a small amount of the dye somewhere unobtrusive (your elbow or behind your ear) before you have it put all over your head. We usually hear about reactions to home hair dye treatments but it's dangerous to assume that only home dyes can set off an allergic reaction. When you go to a new hairdresser for a colour or another treatment, don't be annoyed if they ask you to have a patch test before they will do it. If they don't, and you have an adverse reaction, you could potentially sue them for damages, depending on how serious the reaction is. Don't take any chances, it's only a quick test and will only delay your treatment for a day or so.

Thankfully, allergic reactions to hair dye are very rare, and you should be OK to go ahead once you've had the patch test.

A Lack of Communication

Hairdressers aren't psychic, and the number one thing to remember when you're asking for a new 'do' is to be as specific as possible when you discuss what you want with the stylist. It's not in their interest to deliberately make a mess of your hair, so if there is a problem, it's often down to a misunderstanding rather than a deliberate attempt to make you look terrible.

If you don't like what the hairdresser is doing - tell them! If you're not happy when they've finished, again, you need to tell them. Be polite, and reasonable, and explain why you're not happy. Most hairdressers will be mortified if you don't like their handiwork, and only too happy to try and sort something out. If it's the style, you might be able to salvage it, and if it's the colour you could ask them to try again, although it's not a great idea to keep chemically treating your hair. You need to take advice from the salon though.

The problem with hair is that what you like and what the stylist thinks looks good is entirely subjective. Unless they do something really obvious like cut an uneven fringe or dye your hair bright orange instead of red, it's difficult to argue that they didn't style your hair with 'reasonable skill and care'. Negotiation is the way forward and telling the stylist that you're not happy, nicely, is the best thing. Shouting and screaming about how terrible the salon is won't get your hair sorted out.

Uncooperative Hairdressers

If the stylist has quite obviously done a terrible job, snipped your ear, dyed your hair a hideous colour or similar, but they won't do anything about it, you could use the Supply of Goods and Services Act to get compensation. You're only entitled to claim for actual financial loss, and in this case it would be the cost of getting your hair fixed by another salon. If you do go down this route, don't just go straight to another hairdresser before you speak to the stylist that messed your style up. If they refuse to rectify the mistakes (and it's reasonable to insist on a different stylist if you've lost confidence in the original one) you should tell them that you will be getting the job put right elsewhere and claiming the cost back.

If you need to go to another salon, tell the new stylist what happened, and ask them to give you their comments - in writing if possible. Write to the original hairdresser with a copy of the receipt and any comments, and give them 14 days to reimburse you.