This a reply to my email from BABTAC's membership manager that I received today. I asked concerning Salon Systems and also about the paper test kits that a client can take away with them. I think this resolves things for BABTAC members, especially those using Salon Systems.
.........
Please see Babtacs stance for patch testing for eye treatments as stated
on salon geek:
The accepted practice is that we patch test every new client the first
time they have the treatment. Up until now, we have assumed that is
sufficient in terms of safety and insurance cover however, recently, some
confusion has arisen after some manufacturers stated that professionals
should be patch testing every client, every time they have the treatment.
While manufacturers' literature, instructions, manuals don't say this
explicitly, when asked for clarification, manufacturers are verbally (or
via email) confirming that clients should be patch tested every time they
have the treatment.
Obviously, patch testing every time is not ideal but neither are we
willing to jeopardise our reputation, not to mention our client's health,
so what does this mean for the professional? When asked about this issue
Salon Systems replied via email stating, "We'd recommend that a patch test
is carried out before each and every application because it is possible to
become sensitive to a product even though someone might be a regular
user." However, this isn't included in their official instructions so,
where do you lie when it comes to insurance?
I contacted BABTAC who were not surprised to hear that this issue had come
up. In fact, they are currently rewriting and updating their Good Practice
Guide and have included this issue in it. After speaking with BABTAC they
have contacted their insurance brokers who have confirmed, that in these
instances the broker will accept the recommendation of BABTAC over the
manufacturer. This means that, if you are following the already defined
regulations regarding patch testing which are testing 24 hours before
first treatment, testing before a change in medical history, testing after
hormonal changes due to pregnancy or menopause, testing before a change in
preparation (i.e. new supplier, new ingredients) and testing after a 12
month interval between treatments and you have signed client record cards
to be kept for seven years, then you are covered.
Just to clarify, BABTAC's insurance providers have confirmed that they
will accept BABTAC's guidance on this issue and BABTAC have recommended
that as long as the above patch testing guidelines listed above have been
followed, then you are covered. Failing to patch test every client every
time will not result in your insurance being invalid, as long as you
follow the above guidelines. BABTAC's insurance providers have accepted
this recommendation.
However, it is important to note that this applies only to BABTAC.
Professionals covered by other insurance providers will need to check with
their individual providers and confirm the regulations of their individual
policies.
Just to let you know that we wouldn't consider clients taking a patch test
kit home as having effectively done a patch test, for instance they may
say they did a patch test on themselves when they hadn't.
.........
Please see Babtacs stance for patch testing for eye treatments as stated
on salon geek:
The accepted practice is that we patch test every new client the first
time they have the treatment. Up until now, we have assumed that is
sufficient in terms of safety and insurance cover however, recently, some
confusion has arisen after some manufacturers stated that professionals
should be patch testing every client, every time they have the treatment.
While manufacturers' literature, instructions, manuals don't say this
explicitly, when asked for clarification, manufacturers are verbally (or
via email) confirming that clients should be patch tested every time they
have the treatment.
Obviously, patch testing every time is not ideal but neither are we
willing to jeopardise our reputation, not to mention our client's health,
so what does this mean for the professional? When asked about this issue
Salon Systems replied via email stating, "We'd recommend that a patch test
is carried out before each and every application because it is possible to
become sensitive to a product even though someone might be a regular
user." However, this isn't included in their official instructions so,
where do you lie when it comes to insurance?
I contacted BABTAC who were not surprised to hear that this issue had come
up. In fact, they are currently rewriting and updating their Good Practice
Guide and have included this issue in it. After speaking with BABTAC they
have contacted their insurance brokers who have confirmed, that in these
instances the broker will accept the recommendation of BABTAC over the
manufacturer. This means that, if you are following the already defined
regulations regarding patch testing which are testing 24 hours before
first treatment, testing before a change in medical history, testing after
hormonal changes due to pregnancy or menopause, testing before a change in
preparation (i.e. new supplier, new ingredients) and testing after a 12
month interval between treatments and you have signed client record cards
to be kept for seven years, then you are covered.
Just to clarify, BABTAC's insurance providers have confirmed that they
will accept BABTAC's guidance on this issue and BABTAC have recommended
that as long as the above patch testing guidelines listed above have been
followed, then you are covered. Failing to patch test every client every
time will not result in your insurance being invalid, as long as you
follow the above guidelines. BABTAC's insurance providers have accepted
this recommendation.
However, it is important to note that this applies only to BABTAC.
Professionals covered by other insurance providers will need to check with
their individual providers and confirm the regulations of their individual
policies.
Just to let you know that we wouldn't consider clients taking a patch test
kit home as having effectively done a patch test, for instance they may
say they did a patch test on themselves when they hadn't.
