No — not with oxidative colour. Permanent and demi-permanent hair dyes, and most lash and brow tints, contain PPD-type colourants that carry a mandatory legal warning: "This product is not intended for use on persons under the age of 16." That wording comes from the cosmetics regulations, not the manufacturer being cautious, and the NHBF's guidance to salons is blunt: don't colour under-16s at all.
The part that catches salons out is insurance. Most UK salon policies simply won't cover a colour or tint service on a client under 16 — so if a 15-year-old has a reaction, you're personally exposed, and "mum said it was fine" is not a defence. Parental consent does not override the product warning or reinstate your cover.
What the standard looks like in practice:
- Under 16: no oxidative hair colour, no lash or brow tinting. Semi-permanent, dye-free options only, and check your policy wording even for those.
- 16–17: allowed, but get written parental consent, do the patch test 48 hours ahead, and record both. Many insurers require the parent to sign the consultation form.
- Every client: verify age when in doubt. A dated note of what you asked and what you declined is what protects you in a claim.
Every client, remembered — safely.
SAY-OS keeps each client's contraindications, allergies and history in one place, and flags them at booking — so the right call happens before they're in the chair.
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