We have solicitors that are familiar with personal injuries arising from chemicals used in hairdressing. We act for both professional hairdressers and their clients who have been injured through exposure to chemicals. Ms Smith introduces our service in this video.

Read about our client, a hairdresser suffering from dermatitis at work, or use our free legal advice service to ask; can a hairdresser claim for dermatitis from work?

Dermatitis Among Hairdressers & Hair Salon Workers

Studies have shown that occupational contact dermatitis is the most common work related disease affecting British workers today. Hairdressers and hair salon staff are 17 times more likely to develop work related skin diseases than workers in other industries, with around half of all hairdressers developing dermatitis within 3 years of starting work. Despite these startling statistics, occupational dermatitis among hairdressers does not figure highly in official work related disease statistics, mainly because so many hairdressers are self-employed. Also, many hairdressers refuse to adopt basic preventative measures, such as wearing non-latex gloves, as they feel it hinders them in their work (44% of hair salon workers agreed with this in one recent survey).

Irritant Contact Dermatitis From Hairdressing

Hairdressers are affected by dermatitis to such as disproportionate extent, due to the amount of contact they have on a daily basis with water, shampoo and chemicals in hair treatment products. Irritant contact dermatitis is the most common form of the disease, and usually develops gradually and progressively over time. What is known as ‘wet work’ at hair salons can involve excessive exposure to water and mild detergents, such as shampoos and conditioners, which strip protective oils from the skin on the hands, wrists and forearms, causing it to dry out, and become itchy and inflamed. The use of non-latex gloves when performing hair treatments is the single most effective way of preventing irritant contact dermatitis, however lack of regulation in the industry, and the reluctance of hair salon workers to wear gloves, are the reasons why the disease continues to affect thousands.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis From Hairdressing

Chemicals contained in hair products may contribute to the irritant form of dermatitis described above, or may trigger allergic contact dermatitis, where a hypersensitive reaction to chemicals or substances causes similar, but potentially more serious symptoms, including the spreading of skin inflammation to other parts of the body, and, more rarely, swelling around the mouth and breathing difficulties. The chemicals that cause such adverse reactions are normally Paraphenylenediamine (PPD), contained in many hair dyes, and Glycerylthioglycolate, commonly found in hair perming solutions. A 2001 study estimated that these two chemicals between them were responsible for around 90% of all cases of occupational allergic contact dermatitis among hairdressers and hair salon workers.

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Measures To Prevent Dermatitis At Hair Salons

There are many simple and effective measures that hairdressers and salons can take to reduce the incidence rate of both irritant and allergic contact dermatitis at work. Disposable non-latex gloves (latex is an irritant and common trigger or adverse reactions) should be provided and used, especially for repetitive wet work, and when handling or applying chemical-based hair products. Hairdressers should ensure that they dry their hands thoroughly between treatments, and use moisturiser whenever their hands appear to be overly dry. Dermatitis can be both painful and unsightly, particularly in an industry where healthy hands and skin are so important. A visible skin disease like dermatitis can limit professional opportunities, amounting to a disability, and may cause ongoing loss of earnings. Where an employer is responsible for dermatitis having developed in the first instance, it may be possible to claim compensation.

Bartletts Solicitors have been protecting and supporting clients for 150 years and enjoy a reputation nationwide for trusted legal advice. We are specialists in compensation claims for hairdressers with dermatitis caused by work. Call us today on 0800 158 2454 for a free consultation regarding your case or to begin a claim. You can also contact us for free legal advice via our new Live Chat function.