Hairdressers often won't bleach or dye hair for clients under 16 due to strict industry guidelines, health risks from chemicals like PPD causing severe allergies, and insurance policies that typically won't cover it, with regulations recommending against use for under-16s, though some salons might offer semi-permanent options with parental consent and patch tests, while others refuse outright due to liability.
Minors (under 18 in many jurisdictions) generally require parental/guardian consent for in-salon chemical services. Some salons set their own minimums (often 16--18) for bleaching without a parent present.
All legal hair dye products used in the UK are labelled as “not intended for use on persons under the age of 16”, and any salon which offers hair dye treatments to clients under that age will not be covered by their insurance in the event of a procedure going wrong.
Many sources suggest waiting until a child is at least 10, while others say to hold off until they're teenagers.
In fact, most hair dye is not thought to be safe for children. Hair dye manufacturers provide a clear age limit of 16 on their salon products. If you look at home dye kits, they may contain PPD and also have an age 16 limit.
Whilst there is no law against under 16's having colour in their hair, there is perhaps a moral judgement to be made. Only recently, the BBC carried out an undercover operation in Wales, where a 12 year old girl went into a few salons and asked for an appointment for hair colour.
The Appropriate Age to Start Hair Dye
“In my opinion, it's best to wait until they're a teenager so they can understand the maintenance of hair coloring,” says Victoria O'Donnell, a hairstylist at La Belle Vous Salon in Waterloo, Illinois. “Also, before puberty, their scalp and hair tends to still be more fragile.”
Unfortunately at the risk of being the boring grown up there are many reasons why any professional Hair Salon should say NO to anyone under the age of 16.
If it's been more than a year, your bleach has expired. Its color has changed. Since bleach comes in an opaque bottle and this is how you should continue to store it, you won't notice this until you pour out some bleach. It's normally a very light yellow, but I've noticed that it can turn much darker over time.
As dermatological expert Dr. Sejal Shah explains: “I really don't think it's safe to dye or bleach a child's hair until after puberty, and ideally not until their late teens — at least 16,” the chemicals in dye can change the whole texture of your child's hair, not just its colour.
As cosmetologists, we are always going to guide you in a direction that we feel is safest. If you are really set on letting your child under age 12 do something permanent to their hair, we strongly suggest that you consult with their doctor first.
The BBC has found that hairdressing salons are putting children's lives at risk because they are not following guidelines on hair dye products. According to the industry's professional body and manufacturers, absolutely no dye products should be used on under 16s.
No dye products should be used on under-16s, according to manufacturers and the industry's professional body.
As long as your parents are ok with it that's all that matters. I got highlights around the same age, but I continued to get them done but I loved it and never had any issues.
It is important to explore with your teen why they feel that changing their hair color is important to them. Often it will reveal one of two things. Either they are struggling with feelings of not fitting in or they feel that others do not pay attention to them.
Hair is a visible aspect of our identity, and changes to hair (such as cutting, shaving, or changing its color) can reflect internal emotional shifts. This doesn't mean the hair physically contains the trauma, but that our emotional states, including trauma, can influence our perception and treatment of our hair.
In a well-ventilated area, bleach fumes dissipate faster, sometimes within just a few hours. In contrast, the smell can linger for days in a closed-off room with no airflow.
On average, permanent hair color lasts 6-12 weeks before fading – depending on hair type the shade you choose and your care routine. Here, we reveal everything you need to know about long-wear, lustrous shades, plus tips to keep your color glowing in between salon visits…
Children are at greater risk from breathing bleach vapors because their lungs are still developing. Bleach can irritate the skin and eyes. Breathing in bleach over a long period of time can increase your risk of cancer. A dangerous gas can be formed when bleach is combined with certain chemicals (like ammonia).
For young clients under sixteen, consider recommending safer alternatives like hair chalk. Hair chalk is minimally toxic, washes out easily, and offers a fun, safe option for younger clients. However, we strongly advocate for keeping under-sixteens away from any colour treatments altogether.
Gigante suggests it may be best to wait for puberty before altering your child's natural color with permanent dyes. Besides, says local mom Carol Stewart Beverly, “My beautician wouldn't dye my daughter's hair until she turned 13.” But some kids may want to add color before puberty arrives.
Manufacturers and the top industry bodies advise that no hair dye products be used on children under 16 years old. However, some children are managing to get their hair dyed. Parents are pressurised by their kids and as much as we hope to be strong and refuse a child's demands, doing so is difficult.
Many sources suggest waiting until a child is at least 10, while others say to hold off until they're teenagers. The age recommendation often depends on the type of hair dye being used, as some are harsher than others.
To minimise risk, most salons follow patch testing protocols and adhere to manufacturer guidelines that recommend against colouring for clients under 16. Many parents inquire at salons about the minimum age requirement for hair dyeing in the UK.
It's generally recommended to wait until children reach their early teens before introducing hair dye. At this age, they have a better understanding of the potential consequences and the responsibility that comes with hair dyeing.