Hair care and salon visits, explained
How to Choose a Hairdresser in the UK: What to Check First
8 November 2026
Choosing a hairdresser in the UK takes a little more checking than many people expect. The Hair Council, the statutory body for the sector, says that anyone can currently practise as a hairdresser or barber without any qualifications or training. So it's worth knowing what to look for, what to ask, and what your rights are if something goes wrong.
Quick answer: Ask about the stylist's training and whether they're State Registered with The Hair Council, which requires evidence of qualifications. Before any colour, expect an allergy alert test 48 hours ahead. Ask which products they use. If a service isn't done with reasonable care and skill, complain to the salon first; the law usually entitles you to have it put right or to a price reduction.
Key Takeaways
Anyone can currently practise as a hairdresser or barber in the UK without qualifications, The Hair Council says.
State Registered hairdressers have trained to at least NVQ Level 2 or equivalent.
Anaphylaxis UK says your hairdresser should offer an allergy alert test, done 48 hours before any colour.
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 says services must be provided with reasonable care and skill.
Complain at the salon first, ideally before you leave or as soon as possible afterwards.
Qualifications aren't required by law
The Hair Council says that in the UK, anyone can currently practise as a hairdresser or barber without any qualifications or training. It was set up by an Act of Parliament in 1964 and describes itself as the only statutory authority in the sector.
That means a salon's look or its prices tell you little about the training of the person cutting your hair. So it's worth asking.
What State Registration means
To become a Hair Council State Registered professional, a hairdresser has to provide evidence of their qualifications and training. The Council says all State Registered hairdressers have trained to at least NVQ Level 2, or equivalent. Registration isn't compulsory, so a trained hairdresser may not be on the register, but it's one way to check.
The Hair Council's website has a search by postcode or town for its registered professionals. It also says that if you're unhappy with the service from one of its members, you can contact it for advice.
Questions to ask before you book
A short conversation before your appointment tells you a lot. These questions draw on the guidance quoted in this article:
Question | Why it's worth asking |
|---|---|
What training and qualifications do you have? | Qualifications aren't required by law, so it's worth checking |
Do you offer an allergy alert test before colour? | Anaphylaxis UK says it should be done 48 hours before every colour |
Which products will you use? | You can check the ingredients and look for any recall on GOV.UK |
How do you handle complaints? | The NHBF says a reputable salon will want to put things right |
Colour and chemical treatments
If you're having colour, Anaphylaxis UK says your hairdresser should explain the Allergy Alert Test and offer it before your appointment. A salon that's happy to skip it isn't following that advice. Our guide to hair dye patch tests explains why the 48-hour wait matters.
For smoothing treatments, our guide to keratin treatments and formaldehyde sets out what UK product safety rules say and what to check on the pack.
If you have extensions or tight styles in mind
Some styles carry their own risks. The British Association of Dermatologists links tight ponytails, buns, braids, weaves and extensions to a type of hair loss called traction alopecia. Our guide to hair extensions and traction hair loss covers what to look out for.
Your rights if something goes wrong
Citizens Advice's guidance for England says that if you've paid for a service, such as a haircut, and it hasn't been done with care and skill, you can ask for it to be done again if that's possible. Its guide to complaining about poor service explains that you can go straight to asking for a discount if a redo isn't possible, would take too long, or would be very inconvenient.
One catch: Citizens Advice says that if you told the business the service was good enough when it was done, you don't have the legal right to get it done again or a discount.
How to complain
The NHBF's advice on making a complaint says the best option is to complain while you're still in the salon or barbershop, or to go back as soon as possible. It suggests not going somewhere else to have things put right first, because the salon will need to see how things were left.
Ask to speak privately to the person who handles complaints and explain calmly what's wrong. If you can't agree, the law says the salon must tell you how to find a certified alternative dispute resolution (ADR) service, and whether it's willing to take part.
For everything to sort out before a colour appointment, see our colour appointment checklist.
Do hairdressers need a qualification in the UK?
No. The Hair Council says that anyone can currently practise as a hairdresser or barber in the UK without any qualifications or training.
What is a State Registered hairdresser?
A hairdresser registered with The Hair Council, the sector's statutory body. They must provide evidence of their qualifications and training, and the Council says all have trained to at least NVQ Level 2 or equivalent.
What can I do if I'm unhappy with a haircut?
Complain to the salon as soon as possible. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, services must be provided with reasonable care and skill. If they weren't, Citizens Advice says you can ask for the service to be done again or, in some cases, for a price reduction.
Should a salon do a patch test before colouring?
Anaphylaxis UK says the Allergy Alert Test is needed before every colour, whether at home or in a salon, and that your hairdresser will explain the procedure and offer the test before your appointment.