A HAIR salon owner in Rawtenstall has welcomed tighter legislation on allergy testing and hair colouring, which he said will protect the public.

Although pre-testing before applying a hair colour has been advised for years, different salons carried out different practices.

Now, the National Hairdressers’ Federation has launched new guidelines for all users of hair colourants to follow, making skin tests mandatory.

Tony Winder, Director of Rawtenstall-based salon Antony and Patricia, said: “We have always followed the recommendations. For about 15 years we have been carrying out skin tests on clients to check for any allergic reaction 48 hours before they were allowed to have the treatment.

“There have been times when some customers have found our insistence on the advance tests inconvenient.

“But we have always had their best interests at heart.

“Clients respected our professionalism when we explained why the tests had to be carried out.

“Anyone who has seen the effects an adverse reaction can have would not want to take any chances.”

And Tony gave a stark warning.

“A severe allergic reaction can lead to death.”