You may think this is a joke, but hair salons can actually cause a lot of damage. A lot of hairstyling procedures use chemicals that can cause severe burns to your scalp if they are not applied carefully. The most common hair procedure that can lead to injury is the “Brazilian Blowout”. It can lead to perm burns if it is not done correctly. Other names for this procedure include: Brazilian Hair Straightening Perm, Brazilian Keratin Treatment, and Liquid Keratin. The result of this done wrong can range anywhere from a minor burn to third degree burns, causing scaring and hair loss.
Personal Injuries from Hair Salons
How do perm burns occur?
Unfortunately, most of these burns are actually preventable. If only hairstylists could follow the directions on the products labeling! A perm burn can occur when some of the chemical touches someone’s skin or scalp. The products that hairstylists use can contain chemicals like lye, formaldehyde, and calcium hydroxide. When these types of chemicals touch skin, burns can result. No wonder hairstylists use protective caps and foils when doing these procedures.
Another cause of perm burns can be from an allergic reaction. This is why it is so important for hair dressers to test the chemicals on just one small strip of hair before doing a client’s whole head.
What should you do if you think you have a perm burn injury?
This might be some obvious advice, but the first thing you should do if you think you have a perm burn would be to go to an emergency medical center. Sometimes it can take hours for the symptoms to appear, so keep watch for some time after every appointment. If you are suffering from these symptoms, see a doctor immediately: fever, swelling of the neck, hair loss or a burning feeling on your scalp.
A trained hairstylists should know about the risks and how important it is to be careful with these types of products. If they fail to take the proper precautions, there may be negligence on their part. It is important to act fast in perm burn cases. As soon as you leave the hospital after treatment, consult a attorney who can represent you in a perm burn injury case.