Spray tan patch test

[kirstys beauty]

Hi geeks

Just after a bit of advice.
I have started to do fake bake spray tanning and they said when I did my training that you have to patch test all you clients 24 hours before hand, which is fine by me as i know with insurance that you have to.

My problem is that clients don't want to have a patch test done either because they want the tan there and then or they don't want to travel to my salon on two seprate days.

I want to carry on doing patch tests as I fill it is more professional. Can anyone think of a way round this problem for me.

I had a girl booked in for today so I phoned her yesterday to remind her about the patch test and she told me that she had not got an appointment with me she had a spray tan somewhere else. Yet I had her name and number which i would not had if she had not booked an appointment with me. Also spent the time to give her mum directions to my salon.
Then another lady was booked in today came up for her patch test yesterday and just has not showed up so phoned the number she gave me and its her work number and surprise surprise she is not at work today, so the girl said she would phone her mobile and she has not phoned me back.

Sorry for the rant it just makes me angry when people start to take the micky

Kirsty

"We put the treat in your treatment"

 

[number1kitty]

I sell dropper bottles to my tan techs that have my highest % product in. I send them to clients a few days before to allow them to test themselves. It costs me about £1 to do this.

I only really test first time tanners or hypersensitive clients or those who have perhaps gone through a hormonal change such as menopause or pregnancy.

Kate x

 

[Violet Star]

I dont ever do patch tests unless they have had previous reactions to tanning products i.e DHA. Patch tests are not required for spray tanning apart from when someone has had a previous reaction and then they have a patch test.

Ive never done one for my clients i just always ask them if they have had any previous reactions in which no-one has.

In all tanning products even the ones you find in super drugs all have DHA in them and the public buy them and dont patch test they just put it straight on.

To be honest i think if you keep on doing what you doing, your not going to get much clientelle

hths x

 

[Jaffacake]

I dont patch test either unless there has been a previous reaction.

You could dab them behind the ear with a cotton bud dipped in a bit of solution when they arrive at the salon, make them wait for 20 mins and see if any reaction occurs? You would only need to do this the first time so just allow a little longer on that occasion, they could always wait in the waiting room while you carry on with whatever else you are doing. I only tan mobile so a little more tricky, and sending a bottle out wouldnt work for my last minute bookings.

 

[kirstys beauty]

I got told by fake bake that you had to patch test due to insurance.

So have I been miss lead then that you don't have to patch test.

Also I have read a couple of threads on here from people saying that you have to patch test.

Kirsty

"We put the treat in your treatment"

 

[loubylou]

I got told by fake bake that you had to patch test due to insurance.

So have I been miss lead then that you don't have to patch test.

Also I have read a couple of threads on here from people saying that you have to patch test.

Kirsty

"We put the treat in your treatment"

Check with your insurance Kirsty and you will find that you have not been mislead,
you DO have to offer a patch test, hth :hug:

 

[loubylou]

I dont ever do patch tests unless they have had previous reactions to tanning products i.e DHA. Patch tests are not required for spray tanning apart from when someone has had a previous reaction and then they have a patch test.

There is no point in offering a patch test to a client that has had a previous reaction,
when a client has had a previous reaction this is a contraindication and under no circumstances should you spray them,
if they have had a previous reaction they will continue to have reactions to the DHA and each reaction will be worse than the last one,
the worst case been they can have an attack and stop breathing,
with you been a trainer this is something that you should know about.


Kirsty is quite right to offer patch tests to her clients.

 

[number1kitty]

You do need to do this for insurance purposes, however its probably a massive grey area.

The question is really how many people do you know who have had a reaction to fake tan? I have certainly never heard of anyone. yes they exist, but chances are they already know.

I presume the most severe reaction would be itching, which if washed off, a moisturiser applied and an anti-histamine taken should calm the clients skin.

Its just a precautionary method and one that should be done if you are in anyway unsure. If they have never used anything before with DHA in then test them.

You can still be professional by asking your clients a few questions first on the phone or e-mailing them with a pre care advice and contra-indication info so that you can monitor anything that may cause a problem.

It isnt just DHA that your client can react too, there are many other ingredients including alcohol that can sensitize your clients skin. We do not however patch test for every skin product we use in a facial, and lets face it (excuse the pun) we use some pretty strong products such as acids and aromatherapy oils yet we will be insured for any problems.

I would suggest some common sense, and sometimes even that evades me with some of my clients as sometimes you lose the will to live. I am not saying put money first buy a girls got to eat right?

If your adamant to follow this through and I think your brill for doing what every one of us should perhaps be doing, then just get some teeny sample bottles, decant your tan in and send it out. put a letter in there explaining why you need it, such as it benefits them not you and how to do it and if they do not do it you cannot he held responsible for any negligence.

Your obviously a very good therapist hun, but sometimes we have to give and take with what goals and ambitions we set for our business. These clients probably wonder why you offer a patch test when they have never had to have one before.

Good luck

kate x

 

[Violet Star]

I dont ever do patch tests unless they have had previous reactions to tanning products i.e DHA. Patch tests are not required for spray tanning apart from when someone has had a previous reaction and then they have a patch test.

There is no point in offering a patch test to a client that has had a previous reaction,
when a client has had a previous reaction this is a contraindication and under no circumstances should you spray them,
if they have had a previous reaction they will continue to have reactions to the DHA and each reaction will be worse than the last one,
the worst case been they can have an attack and stop breathing,
with you been a trainer this is something that you should know about.


Kirsty is quite right to offer patch tests to her clients.

Me being a trainer doesnt really come into this as every tanning technician should know that anyway! I know full well that if they suffer from a reaction you shouldnt spray them.

Yes Kirsty is able to offer patch tests to her clients wasnt telling her to stop doing so - I dont offer patch tests as long as i know they have not had a reaction to tanning lotions.

And i dont think it has much to do with insurance as on the tanning consultation cards one of the questions is - Have you ever had any reactions to tanning lotions and the client either ticks yes or no then sign the consultation card. In which this shows that the client has informed me and signed to say what they have said is true which means i am then covered by my insurance to say that the client would have given me false information if they was to pretend.
So i dont think its got anything to do with insurance as such.

E.g on the consultation cards it also asks if you suffer from eczema if the client ticks no and they really do and then this results to damage caused to their skin they wouldn't be able to claim through insurance as they signed to say that all the information provided is true.

 

[loubylou]

I dont ever do patch tests unless they have had previous reactions to tanning products i.e DHA. Patch tests are not required for spray tanning apart from when someone has had a previous reaction and then they have a patch test.

But you have stated here that if your client has had a previous reaction then they have a patch test !

So this reads as you would patch test them and give them the spray tan.

But a previous reaction to a spray tan / DHA is a contraindication so you shouldn't be spraying them at all,
and if you did your insurance would be void as you have ignored the contraindication,
it is not up to the client to decide, it is up to you as the trained therapist to use the client card to give you the info about the client and to work out if there are any contraindications which would cause you to refuse the treatment

 

[loubylou]

I dont ever do patch tests unless they have had previous reactions to tanning products i.e DHA. Patch tests are not required for spray tanning apart from when someone has had a previous reaction and then they have a patch test.

Patch test not needed as previous reaction equals contraindication, which equals no spray tan for that client.

Me being a trainer doesnt really come into this as every tanning technician should know that anyway! I know full well that if they suffer from a reaction you shouldnt spray them.

So why are you offering a patch test when a client has had a previous reaction (see your above statement)

Yes Kirsty is able to offer patch tests to her clients wasnt telling her to stop doing so - I dont offer patch tests as long as i know they have not had a reaction to tanning lotions.

And again here you are saying that if the client has had a reaction that you offer a patch test.


Your statements contradict yourself.

 

[Violet Star]

I dont ever do patch tests unless they have had previous reactions to tanning products i.e DHA. Patch tests are not required for spray tanning apart from when someone has had a previous reaction and then they have a patch test.

But you have stated here that if your client has had a previous reaction then they have a patch test !

So this reads as you would patch test them and give them the spray tan.

But a previous reaction to a spray tan / DHA is a contraindication so you shouldn't be spraying them at all,
and if you did your insurance would be void as you have ignored the contraindication,
it is not up to the client to decide, it is up to you as the trained therapist to use the client card to give you the info about the client and to work out if there are any contraindications which would cause you to refuse the treatment

I wouldnt patch test them and give them a spray tan. I would patch test a day before and if they had a reaction i wouldnt spray them. Im not irresponsible.

Everyone of my clients have a client card and its upto them to tell me and tick yes or no as to whether they have ever had a reaction before if they are dishonest about the question and have signed the client card then this doesn't void my insurance as im just going by the information the client has given me.

Before this goes into more of a debate lets just leave it at some of us patch test and some of us dont.

 

[Violet Star]

I dont ever do patch tests unless they have had previous reactions to tanning products i.e DHA. Patch tests are not required for spray tanning apart from when someone has had a previous reaction and then they have a patch test.

Patch test not needed as previous reaction equals contraindication, which equals no spray tan for that client.

Me being a trainer doesnt really come into this as every tanning technician should know that anyway! I know full well that if they suffer from a reaction you shouldnt spray them.

So why are you offering a patch test when a client has had a previous reaction (see your above statement)

Yes Kirsty is able to offer patch tests to her clients wasnt telling her to stop doing so - I dont offer patch tests as long as i know they have not had a reaction to tanning lotions.

And again here you are saying that if the client has had a reaction that you offer a patch test.


Your statements contradict yourself.

Like i said lets just leave it there. I dont patch test you do, some of us dont and some do patch test.

 

[jes]

In any circumstance (not just spray tanning) an insurance company will only pay out, for a claim against you, if you are following the health and safety requirements set out by the manufacturer.

Read the MSDS for your product and if still unclear phone the manufacturer and ask what they recommend.

Apparently different spray tan manufacturers recommend different patch test times and reasons for doing a patch test so it might be worth shopping around if a 24 hour patch test is awkward for you?

Personally, I have to do a 24 hour patch test if;

• If client has not had a spray tan before
• has sensitive skin
• has had a reaction from self tanning products in the past

Jes

 

[number1kitty]

The likely hood is the worst that will happen is itching, which will subside over the 8 hours, maybe a rash will appear but I am sure there will be one person out there that will end up dead from a spray tan ~ but then it does take all sorts.

There has been loads of research done on this and its proven that DHA is safe and its often its interaction with other products that cause a reaction, especially alcohol as this helps penetrate the skin. Tan solution does not need to contain alcohol because it does not need to penetrate the skin as its only working the top layer ~ the stratum corneum.

Patients have been tested for allergic reactions to DHA using patch tests, but with negative results.

A report on two cases of allergic reactions to DHA as a result of using self-tanning products on the skin the US FDA mentioned that it is possible that other ingredients in self-tanning products such as oils or Juglans regia (walnut) extract may cause discomfort for those with nut allergies so if your using Xen-Tan take note!!!

Magic tan have done a study on the dangers of inhalation of DHA or its efects on soft tissue and mucous membranes and they refuse to give out the reports. DHA can alter DNA and long term use is still a touchy subject with doctors especially in slimming or performance enhancer tablets.

If the FDA approve the use of DHA on the skin as a cosmetic then you would presume it would be a very unlikely irritant. The fact DHA is a chemical reaction it can make the skin dryer which again if used with other drying agents such as alcohol can cause further irritation (another reason why they put it in tan solution).

Anyway the facts on the patch test are that its not just the DHA we are looking to see if there is a reaction too, it is also the product as a whole that when combined could cause sensitisation.

DHA is more likely going to cause an allergic reaction by inhaling it as it would be to apply on the skin alone. So you could patch test your client and your client could inhale the spray and still have a reaction. Also the quantity of the ingregiant in the skin can trigger the reaction. A small amount may not do any harm, but do a full tan and your client could react as the body struggles to fight off the invasion of foreign materials on it.

A lot of rules and regs are created by people who know or have very little insight into things, and even us therapist hear different stories off of different people and see other therapists all work in different ways.

Do whats right for your business. If you get someone react and you prove you did all you can to protect yourself then thats all that matters, where as some of the rest of us may come a little unstuck.

Very few people will react, think of the hundreds and thousands of clients us geeks have done over the years and I reckon only one or two of us may have had a reaction if that at all! And those very very few people who will react even less will try to sue you and less still will see it through to court. Your insurance comapny whether you were right or wrong will still do all they can to mediate between you and the client to prevent further action. The judge, the client and the solicitors representing would also have to have an incredibly strong case of negligence under there belt before it got as far as court!

Kate

 

[angelina221]

Patch tests are not required for spray tanning apart from when someone has had a previous reaction and then they have a patch test.

This isn't strictly true. If the manufacturer requires you take a patch test then you need to take a patch test irrespective of whether the client has had tans before with no reaction. If you are using a different product than they used before then you need to test.
Even if that manufacturer hasn't stipulated that you take a patch test, it's still good practice to do so.
You should also check with your insurance company.

 

[Jaffacake]

Surely a client could have a reaction to a spray tan or tanning product but be unaffected by another, different brand? especially if it is something other than DHA that they are reacting too like walnut for instance?

I dont think that just because someone has had a reaction in the past they should just be told they cant be sprayed full stop, I think that is when the patch test would come in very handy, although as already mentioned, they may only react when their whole body is sprayed. Surely it's also up to the client if they want to take the risk knowing they may react?

 

[angelina221]

You can't say it's up to the client. It would take a very irresponsible therapist to spray someone knowing they had had a reaction from a spray tan before. If you patch test clients then you can ensure that your insurance will stand up and you can't get sued!
As long as you have patch tested them first that's fine. I wouldn't let a client take the risk if i thought they may react, without taking a patch test. Clients are all for taking risks but if anything were to go wrong then they would be the first to complain. It's not worth jeopardising your business and your reputation for a few quid.
Even if your supplier doesn't require you to take a patch test, beware!

Dorset Nurse Sues After Spray Tanning Injury from Russell Jones & Walker Solicitors

 

[number1kitty]

Jaffacakes right, some people react to different ingrediants. It is always worth a patch test if they perhaps reacted before, however it is always worth explaining the risk.

 

[number1kitty]

And as for the lawyer link. they obviously didnt get far because they havent mentioned a pay out or court decision. they are desperatly trying to seek others to come forward to claim and perhaps even falsly that they too have a reaction as that is the only way to add weight to this nurses claims. 90% of personal injury claims are thrown out.

Would be interesting to hear what the outcome was.