Choosing a hairdresser
Finding a professional
With prevention better than cure, the best advice to anyone seeking hairdressing services is to choose a State Registered Hairdresser. Britain is one of very few countries in which anyone, without registration, qualifications or even any form of recognized training, is free to set up and practice as a hairdresser.
The industry is totally unregulated which means there is no one in a position to take action on behalf of consumers against incompetent hairdressers in cases of professional incompetence.
Some of those practising hairdressing are officially recognized and known as State Registered Hairdressers. However, there are many more unregistered stylists, the majority of whom are perfectly competent but some of whom can only be described as 'cowboys'. The difficulty for the public is recognizing into which category an unregistered operator correctly fits. Council are hoping the government will change the law so all hairdressers must be registered. Indeed, we are hoping to talk to ministers again about this shortly. It is, however, likely to be some years before any change is made to existing law.
