How to complain about hairdressers and beauty therapists

straight blond hair pulled out over round bristled brush white hand holding the brush and end of hairdryer touching the hair on the roller

How to complain about a hairdresser

mixture of silver colour scissors and black combs and colour dye brushes

Consumers using hairdressers and barbers are covered by the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Professionals must provide their services with reasonable skill and care. So, for example, a good hairdresser will undertake a patch test for colour dye.

However, there is currently no trade body or Ombudsman if you have a complaint. The Hairdressers (Registration) Act was passed by Parliament in 1964, with the aim of endorsing hairdressers and reassuring consumers. The Hair Council was created to maintain a register of qualified hairdressers. Registration is voluntary.

If you have a complaint, complain at the time and, if necessary, follow up in writing. A complaint may develop later, such as a reaction to a perm.

For salons which are a member of the National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) and where your treatment cost less than £1,500, you can use its mediation scheme. This costs consumers £12 which will be returned if the hair salon refuses to take part.

Unlike other Alternative Dispute Resolution schemes, decisions are only binding if both parties agree.

You can either write to the Hair Council (if the salon is a member) which will take up your complaint for you and possibly deregister the salon. Or you will need to write in the normal way and threaten legal action.

How to complain about a beauty therapist

white woman lying on bed towel round head and body see head and shoulders down to middle white woman standing over with facial stand over other woman's face. She's in white uniform

Beauticians are not regulated by any independent body. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 principle of ‘providing services with reasonable skill and care using products of a satisfactory quality’ applies.

If the beautician is a member of the NHBF then you can apply for mediation via their scheme.

and care using products of a satisfactory quality’ applies.

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Bad haircut or beauty treatment gone wrong? You may still have rights — but not always. #consumerrights #hairdresser #beauty #complaints #consumeradvice

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For masses of information, tips, guidance, laws and regulations and templates GET THE BOOK! How To Complain: The ESSENTIAL Consumer Guide to Getting REFUNDS, Redress and RESULTS!

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