Health advice for the public about hair and beauty at home and in salons.
Safety advice about chemicals, tanning equipment and skin piercing.
Hairdressers and beauty salons follow regulations to protect the health and safety of their customers and staff. There are local byelaws for hairdressers and barbers in Eastbourne.
Registration with the council's Environmental Health service is required to carry out any form of skin piercing - body piercing, ear piercing, electrolysis, tattooing and acupuncture.
Why Should Your Hairdresser Wear Gloves?
Hairdressers suffer skin damage from frequent contact with water and the chemicals in hairdressing products. Wearing gloves protects their hands, so they can keep on doing what they do best.
Is your hairdresser waving goodbye to bad hand days? Our Let's Cut Out Dermatitis campaign encourages hairdressers to wear disposable gloves to avoid dermatitis.
At home, always use cosmetics and beauty products with care. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on the labels and stop using if skin problems develop. Avoid contact with eyes and wash your hands after use.
Hair Dye Allergy Advice
Take particular care with hair dyes. The increasing popularity of hair colouring has led to an increase in allergic reactions, which can lead to facial dermatitis and, in severe cases, facial swelling. See the BBC News website for more details.
More than two-thirds of hair dyes contain para-phenylenediamine (PPD), which can trigger allergic reactions and has also previously been linked to bladder cancer. PPD is predominantly found in darker shades of permanent dyes. Be particularly careful if you are pregnant.
To reduce the risk of allergy problems, choose non-permanent dyes. Probably the safest option is vegetable dyes available from organic or health stores and some chemists and hairdressers.
Always patch test commercial dyes by dabbing a small amount of the dye behind the ear or on the inner elbow. Leave to dry and leave uncovered for 48 hours to see if any irritation occurs.
For advice on safety of consumer products contact East Sussex County Council Trading Standards.
Look Good - Stop Smoking
If you want to look good, do not smoke - hairdressers can immediately spot a smoker by the state of their hair.
The chemicals in cigarettes can starve your hair of oxygen and make it dull, lifeless and brittle. No conditioner can put it back.
Get rid of that stale tobacco smell from your hair, skin and clothes. Look attractive with healthy, glowing skin, no tobacco stains on your teeth and fewer wrinkles. To find out more about smoking and your looks, see the NHS Go Smokefree website.
There is lots of free advice and support to help you go smokefree. Take control and improve your health and appearance. Find out more in our Help to Stop Smoking section.
