First mhra-licensed patch test for hair allergies launched
Published
04th Jul 2021
by kieran
Colourstart, the first MHRA-licensed, ready-to-use patch test to screen for potential allergy to p-Phenylenediamine (PPD), a chemical found in most hair colorants, has been launched.
According to TrichoCare, Colourstart “enables hair professionals to deliver a standardised, professional and convenient alternative to the allergy alert test recommended by hair colour manufacturers, freeing up their time to deliver the services their customers love without compromising their professionalism.”
Colourstart is used at home and doesn’t need to be repeated unless advised to do so by a hair professional. It is applied to the arm at least five days before a hair colour appointment, left on for at least 48 hours and then removed. After a further 48-72 hours, the arm is inspected again for any sign of a reaction which would indicate an allergy. If there isn’t a reaction, the user is colour-ready and the hair professional then has a greater control over which products to use with specific clients.
This process is said to reduce client exposure to PPD and takes the hassle away from professional colour treatments, and also allows for walk-ins and last-minute appointments. Colourstart also comes with the option to use the Passport app, a web application that helps users decide if Colourstart is suitable to use on clients and records then shares their results with their chosen hair professional.
As Colourstart is a medicinal product, only registered UK businesses can apply to sell Colourstart to consumers. Once an account is set up, hair professionals can purchase Colourstart directly through the Colourstart website.
Nick Plunkett, CEO of TrichoCare Diagnostics, comments: “TrichoCare is passionate about the health of colour clients and through Colourstart, hair professionals and their clients now have access to the first licensed allergy screening product that reduces a client's lifetime exposure to PPD and minimises the risk of a potential allergic reaction”.
Rachael Hopkins, owner of the Lounge Salon in Cheltenham, says: “We love the fact that the burden of testing every time has been replaced by the convenience of a home test for a potential allergy to PPD where our clients are in control. As a busy stylist, it’s much easier for me to post or give the Colourstart Patch Test to our clients than doing traditional methods to test for allergies.”
