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Hair Damaged by Bleach at a Salon? Client Awarded £8,500 Compensation After Successful Hairdresser Negligence Claim
When a client visits a hair salon, they are entitled to expect that treatments will be carried out safely and professionally.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
At LLB Solicitors, we regularly represent clients whose hair has been damaged by negligent bleaching, colouring and chemical treatments. Many people contact us after their hair has become brittle, broken, frizzy or started snapping off following a salon appointment.
In this case study, we examine a successful hairdresser negligence claim in which a client was awarded £8,500 compensation at Court after her hair was damaged during a bleaching and colouring treatment. Because of our extensive experience in this area, most of the time we are able to negotiate strong settlements with our opponents but occasionally we need to take the fight all the way to court. We do not shy away from this when faced with a difficult opponent. This case study focuses on such a case which we needed to take all the way to trial in order to achieve the right outcome for our client.
Key Facts From This Hairdresser Negligence Claim
Treatment: Bleaching and colouring
Injury: Severe hair damage, breakage and brittleness
Cause: Bleach left processing for too long and heat applied contrary to manufacturer guidance
Liability: Hairdresser found negligent by the court
Compensation Awarded: £8,500
Recovery Time: Approximately 40 months
What Happened?
The client had attended the same salon for many years and had an excellent relationship with her hairdresser. She trusted the stylist and had regularly relied upon her for colouring treatments.
At the appointment in question, the client requested a slight change to her usual treatment and asked for blonde highlights at the front of her hair.
The treatment involved bleaching sections of her hair before colouring.
Immediately after leaving the salon, the client did not realise the full extent of the damage. Her hair had been professionally blow-dried and initially appeared normal.
However, after washing her hair a few days later, she noticed that something was wrong.
Her hair felt different, appeared unusually frizzy and no longer behaved as it had before the appointment.
As time passed, the condition worsened.
Signs That the Hair Had Been Damaged
Many clients contact us because they are unsure whether what they are experiencing is normal following a bleaching treatment.
In this case, the client experienced symptoms commonly associated with over-processing and bleach damage, including:
- Hair becoming brittle
- Excessive breakage
- Frizzing
- Loss of strength and elasticity
- Hair snapping or breaking more easily
- Difficulty styling the hair
These are all symptoms that may indicate that hair has been damaged during a bleaching or colouring process.
The Client’s Concerns About the Treatment
The client believed that the bleach may have been left on her hair for too long.
According to the evidence, the salon was busy on the day of the appointment and she spent a significant period waiting whilst the bleaching process continued.
The client also recalled being placed under a heater after the treatment had already been processing for some time.
After the appointment, as the condition of her hair deteriorated, she sought further advice and became increasingly concerned that the damage had been caused during the salon treatment.
The salon denied responsibility and maintained that the treatment had been carried out correctly.
What Did the Court Have to Decide?
The court considered several important questions:
- Was the client’s hair in good condition before the appointment?
- Had the client’s hair actually been damaged?
- If so, what caused the damage?
- Had the salon breached its duty of care?
- Did the hairdresser’s actions amount to negligence?
These are issues that frequently arise in hairdresser negligence claims.
Expert Evidence Confirmed Bleach Damage
One of the most important aspects of the claim was the expert evidence, which we had arranged on our client’s behalf.
The client’s hair was examined by a specialist who inspected the hair microscopically.
The expert concluded that the damage was consistent with bleaching and over-processing.
Importantly, the expert found no alternative explanation for the condition of the damaged hair.
The court was persuaded by this evidence and accepted that the damage had been caused by the bleaching treatment carried out at the salon.
This highlights why expert trichology evidence is often crucial in successful hairdresser negligence claims.
Why Was the Hairdresser Found Negligent?
The court examined the manufacturer’s instructions for the bleaching product used during the treatment.
Those instructions contained clear guidance regarding processing times and the use of heat.
After hearing all of the evidence, the judge concluded that the treatment had not been carried out in accordance with those instructions.
The court found that:
- The bleach had likely been left processing for too long.
- The client had not been monitored adequately whilst the treatment was developing.
- Heat had been applied in circumstances where it should not have been.
- The use of heat increased the risk of damage and was contrary to the manufacturer’s guidance.
The judge concluded that these failures amounted to a breach of duty.
Although the hairdresser was experienced and had treated the client for many years, the court found that the standard of care had fallen below that expected of a reasonably competent professional.
Does Every Bleach Damage Claim Require a Strand Test?
One interesting feature of this case was that no strand test had been carried out.
However, the court decided that the absence of a strand test was not what caused the damage.
Because the hairdresser had treated the client’s hair for many years, the judge concluded that a strand test would not have provided any additional information that would have prevented the injury.
Instead, the damage was caused by the excessive processing time and the inappropriate use of heat.
This is an important reminder that every claim depends on its own facts.
Whilst failures to carry out patch tests or strand tests can sometimes support a claim, they are not the only circumstances in which a salon may be found negligent.
How Long Did the Damage Last?
The court accepted that the client’s hair had suffered significant structural damage.
Although the injury did not result in permanent baldness, the evidence suggested that it would take approximately 40 months for the damaged hair to fully grow out and return to its previous condition.
That equates to more than three years of living with the consequences of the negligent treatment.
The court also recognised the embarrassment and distress caused by the damage.
For many people, their hair forms an important part of their confidence, identity and appearance. Serious hair damage can therefore have a substantial emotional impact.
Compensation Awarded
The court awarded the client a total of £8,500 compensation.
This included:
- £7,500 for pain, suffering and loss of amenity
- £1,000 for additional financial losses
The judge accepted that the client’s hair had become brittle, damaged and prone to breakage and recognised the significant impact this had on her daily life.
Can I Claim Compensation If a Hairdresser Damaged My Hair?
You may be able to claim compensation if your hair was damaged because a salon failed to carry out treatment with reasonable care and skill.
Examples of potential hairdresser negligence claims include:
- Bleach left on for too long
- Hair breaking off after bleaching
- Hair damaged by highlights
- Chemical burns to the scalp
- Allergic reactions to hair dye
- Failure to carry out appropriate testing
- Hair loss following negligent treatment
- Damage caused by extensions
- Damage caused by relaxers or straightening treatments
- Incorrect colouring procedures
Every case depends on its individual circumstances, but if your injury could have been avoided had proper procedures been followed, you may have grounds to bring a claim.
Specialists in Hairdresser Negligence Claims
LLB Solicitors is recognised nationally for representing clients who have suffered hair and scalp injuries as a result of negligent salon treatments.
We work closely with leading experts to investigate the cause of hair damage, obtain specialist evidence and recover compensation for our clients.
If your hair has been damaged by bleaching, colouring, chemical treatments, extensions or any other salon procedure, our specialist team can provide free initial advice on whether you may have a claim. Read more.
Contact LLB Solicitors today for a free assessment of your potential hairdresser negligence claim.