What should be the first step before starting a color treatment?

The first step before starting a color treatment should be to perform a patch test. This procedure is crucial for ensuring the safety of the client, as it helps to identify any potential allergic reactions to the hair dye. A patch test involves applying a small amount of the dye to a discreet area of the client’s skin, usually behind the ear or on the inside of the elbow, and observing for any adverse reactions over 24 to 48 hours.

This step is essential because it protects the client from possible discomfort or serious reactions that could occur if the dye is applied without determining skin sensitivity. Ensuring safety prior to the application of hair color is a professional standard in the hair design industry. While other actions, such as consulting with the client, are important for gathering preferences and discussing desired outcomes, and shampooing the hair is often done to prepare it for treatment, these steps come after confirming that it is safe to proceed with the color application.