Strand testing is essential for any process that involves applying chemical products to the hair. And while it may seem like an unnecessary or time-consuming step, the truth is that strand testing is essential if you want to achieve the best possible results and ensure the health and integrity of your client’s hair.
You can avoid potential disasters such as hair breakage or uneven colour by taking the time to perform a strand test. In this blog post, we’ll dive deeper into the importance of strand testing and why it should be an integral part of your salon consultation and pre-colour routine.
Why should you perform a strand test?
You should always perform a strand test before any chemical service, such as hair colouring or perming, for various reasons. First and foremost, a strand test allows you to assess the condition and texture of the client’s hair, which can affect the outcome of the chemical service.
Additionally, a strand test can help determine the appropriate processing time and ensure that the colour or texture change will be even throughout the hair. This can prevent potential disasters like uneven colour, breakage, or over-processing of the hair.
A strand test is essential if you are working with a new client whose hair history you are not fully aware of or an existing client who wants to undergo a dramatic hair colour change, such as brunette to blonde.
Before you work on any chemical services, it all starts with the in-salon consultation, whereby you will gather information on what the client is looking for and then conduct a patch test and strand test to see how the hair and scalp will behave. By performing a strand test, a hairdresser can ensure the best possible results while prioritising the health of their client’s hair.
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What are the consequences of not performing a strand test?
If you don’t perform a strand test before a chemical service, there can be several consequences, all of which could be entirely avoidable. One of the most common problems is that you may experience uneven colour or texture changes throughout your client’s hair, which can be difficult or even impossible to correct. This can result in an unsatisfactory outcome, and the client may need to undergo additional treatments to try and fix the issue. Not only this, but they may put in a formal complaint or write a negative review about your services.
Without a strand test, you may not be aware of any underlying damage or sensitivity in your client’s hair, which can lead to over-processing, breakage, or even hair loss. By skipping a strand test, you are risking not only the quality of the service but also the health and safety of your client’s hair.
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Check out this video of Daisy Goord demonstrating the importance of a strand test.
A strand test is crucial for colour services such as scalp bleach. Discover our guide on everything you need to know about scalp bleaching.
How to perform a strand test
Performing a strand test is a quick and straightforward process…
Here are the basic steps to perform a strand test:
Step one: Trim a small section of hair that is not easily visible, such as a strand underneath the top layer of hair.
Step two: Mix a small amount of the hair product you will use for the service, such as hair dye or perm solution, according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Step three: Apply the product to the selected strand of hair, making sure to saturate it evenly.
Step four: Leave the product on the hair for the recommended processing time.
Step five: Rinse the hair with water and shampoo to remove the product.
Step six: Observe the strand test results carefully, looking for any signs of damage, uneven colour or texture issues. Chewing gum hair is not a good look!
Step seven: If the results are satisfactory, proceed with the complete service. If the results differ from what you expected, adjust the product, processing time, or technique, and perform another strand test until you achieve the desired outcome.
Performing a strand test may take a little extra time, but it is a critical step in achieving the best results whilst maintaining the health and integrity of your client’s hair. If you’ve enjoyed this guide on the importance of strand testing, why not take a look at our previous blog post on the importance of patch testing?
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