Sean Brownyard of the Salon and Spa Speciality Insurance agency offers hair services safety tips on everything from ensuring proper water temperature to handling of hair chemicals and recognizing skin irritation from hair coloring stain remover application.

• When hiring, be sure to receive a copy of the operator’s license.

• Always test the water on yourself before applying to your patron’s head to avoid scalding burns. Confirm that your salon’s water temperature reaches no more than 120 degrees (the water heater may be lowered to accommodate this; ask your utility service provider or plumber for details).

• Offer neck support (i.e. a towel) at your sink to prevent neck injuries while leaning back during a shampoo.

• Be sure that the hair coloring stain remover you use is safe for that area of the skin.

• Apply hair coloring stain remover at the correct time, before the last shampoo and before drying the hair. Always pat the remover on the affected area with soft cotton and allow it time to do its job. Never rub and never use a regular cloth or towel.

• If irritation occurs due to hair coloring stain remover application, document the irritation. Ask the patron to contact the salon if the irritation continues. At that time, refer the patron to a physician with a clear description of the remover used so that the doctor may use the correct treatment for the irritation.

Sean Brownyard is Executive Program Manager of SASSI, the Salon and Spa Specialty Insurance agency (www.sassiagency.com). Formerly known as the Hairdresser’s Agency, SASSI is a division of W.H. Brownyard Corp. and has provided specialized liability coverage for more than 85 years. SASSI serves salons, day spas, electrologists, beauty schools and barber shops. Sean can be reached at sbrownyard@brownyard.com or 631-666-5050.