Shampoo Sink Danger
A: I have never heard of a shampoo bowel giving someone a stroke, and I can promise you that I’ve spent more than my fair share behind the salon basins. The most common problem that I’ve experienced with the salon basins is that a lot of people find them uncomfortable, either because the porcelain basin hurts their neck or shoulders, or because of some injury.
In the case of petite clients, we put a comfortable large scatter cushion on the seat of the basin recliner before the client sits down to have her hair washed or rinsed. This helps to avoid the client feeling as if she’s hanging from her neck at the basin. We also place extra tolled-up towels around the ridge of the basin that rests on her shoulders, to avoid the overflowing water to wet her clothes, as well as keeping the pressure of the porcelain basin from hurting her shoulders.
Clients with a small frame tend to get drenched easily because their shoulders are too narrow to fit the basin properly. It is the duty of the person who is rinsing the hair of the client to make absolutely sure that the client is as comfortable as possible and doesn’t get wet. Especially when rinsing highlights or color, you HAVE to make sure that none of the water gets on the clients clothes. Bleach, high lifters and color almost instantly stains clothes because of the peroxide content.
During my apprentice years, I’ve seen how a high-profile client makes a salon reimburse her for a mink-coat that was damaged during the rinsing of her foils. The cost was of course deducted from the apprentice’s salary (which is peanuts FYI). This is why the shampoo-girl or apprentice will always ask you to remove your coat, expensive jacket or jewelry at the rinsing basins.
We also have older clients who easily complain about the rinsing basins. The older clients find it very uncomfortable to lie with their heads bent backwards when having their hair washed or rinsed, especially during long chemical processes such as perms. When possible, we try to put rolled up towels along the ridge of the basin, and have the clients stand upright with her face in a downward position, pressing down on the rolled up towels. We then rinse the hair from the back of the head. This is only done in special cases though, as the client’s face will get soaked, and the floor around the basin needs to be mopped up afterward as well.
It may be that an elderly client had a stroke while coincidentally having her/his hair washed at a salon. These stories often turn into ridiculous urban legends such as salon basins causing strokes.
©Hairfinder.com
See also:
Practical tips for your hair salon
Hair salon etiquette for stylists
Hair salon etiquette for the client