Why does nobody talk about checking the water temp before a color service?

I was doing a full color correction on a client with level 5 hair, and she kept saying her scalp felt hot. I finally touched the water myself and realized my assistant had the hose set way too high. It was probably over 110 degrees. How do you guys make sure the temp is right every single time?

3 comments

3 Comments

wells.morgan3mo ago

I read a salon safety guide that said water over 105 degrees can literally cook the scalp. Your story about the level 5 client is exactly why that's so dangerous. I make it a rule to test the water on my inner wrist before it ever touches a client's head, just like checking a baby's bottle. It takes two seconds and becomes a habit. My assistant knows I'll check it myself every single time, no exceptions. That's the only way to be sure.

olivere301mo ago

and honestly that inner wrist test is basically foolproof, i've been doing it for years too. your skin there is way more sensitive than your hands so if it feels even a little too warm there, it's definitely too hot for someone's scalp. i had a coworker who thought she could just trust the temp gauge on the water heater and one day it malfunctioned, blasted a client with like 115 degree water. client screamed and had red marks for days, it was a whole mess. now i check the water temp with my wrist every single time before i even wet the hair, no shortcuts. that two second habit saves you from a lawsuit and keeps your clients from getting hurt.

alice_reed473mo agoMost Upvoted

Seriously, we should treat every client like that level 5, no excuses.