Protect Your Salon and Clients from Non-Compliant Hair Colour Products

'Grey Colour' or non-compliant hair colour products may save your salon a few pennies, but may come along with potential serious risks that effect you and your clients. Here at Salon Supplies have made this guide to help you know what to look for and how to avoid them.

What is 'Grey Colour'?

"Grey Colour" refers to counterfeit hair color products deceptively branded to appear as legitimate offerings from reputable professional hair care brands. These products are falsely marketed and sold, undermining the trust and quality associated with genuine professional hair color. Despite increasing awareness, in 2024/25, unauthorized distributors continue to sell these products to unsuspecting salons, enticing them with seemingly significant savings on their favorite brands. Unfortunately, many salon owners remain unaware of the serious risks posed by using counterfeit hair dyes..

Lack of UK-Compliant Instructions

These products frequently come with instructions and warnings written only in foreign languages, without any English translation. This lack of accessible information can have serious consequences, as using such products may void your salon’s liability insurance, leaving you unprotected in the event of a problem.

Imported Products

Imported hair colors may often be counterfeit, designed to mimic the branding and appearance of reputable products while failing to meet the rigorous safety standards required in the UK. These counterfeit products frequently contain harmful or untested ingredients that have not undergone the necessary regulatory approvals, posing serious risks to both clients and professionals. Potential hazards include allergic reactions, chemical burns, and long-term damage to the hair and scalp due to the presence of unknown or toxic substances.

 

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No Manufacturer Support

Major professional brands are unlikely to offer advice or support for counterfeit or unauthorised products, as these items fall outside their quality control and supply chains. This means that if something goes wrong, whether it’s an adverse client reaction, unexpected product behavior, or inconsistent results, you will have no recourse to the expert guidance, technical support, or customer service typically provided by legitimate manufacturers.

Unverified Quality and Expiry

“Grey market” products come with no guarantees regarding proper storage, freshness, or performance. There is a significant risk that these products may be out-of-date or degraded, resulting in inconsistent or poor outcomes compared to genuine, properly handled products.To maintain consistent, high-quality results and uphold professional standards, it is essential to use products sourced from authorized, reputable distributors that adhere to strict storage, handling, and performance guidelines.

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Compromised Professional Standards

Using non-legitimate products can severely harm your salon’s reputation, as clients trust you to provide high-quality, safe, and professional services. When counterfeit or unauthorised products are used, the risks of adverse effects, such as scalp irritation, allergic reactions, or inconsistent results, increase significantly. This not only undermines client satisfaction but may lead to negative reviews, loss of business, and damage to your professional credibility. Furthermore, these products can void your liability insurance, leaving you unprotected in the event of a claim. Legal repercussions may also arise, as using counterfeit goods violates intellectual property laws and professional standards.

How to Avoid and Stay Protected

When purchasing hairdressing products, it’s crucial to ensure that your wholesaler is an authorized distributor of UK-compliant goods. Authorized distributors work directly with manufacturers, adhering to strict quality control and regulatory standards to guarantee that the products they supply are genuine, safe, and effective. By sourcing from reputable suppliers, you can be confident that the products you use meet the necessary legal requirements, are properly stored, and are accompanied by English instructions and safety information. Choosing authorized suppliers also grants you access to manufacturer support, including technical advice, training, and product guarantees, which are invaluable for maintaining professional standards.

While discounts and promotions can be tempting, extremely low prices on branded hairdressing products are often a red flag indicating counterfeit or unauthorised goods. These suspiciously cheap products may have been illegally manufactured, smuggled, or mishandled during storage and shipping. They are unlikely to meet the quality and safety standards of genuine products and can result in inconsistent performance, unexpected side effects, or damage to your clients’ hair or scalp.

Salon Supplies is proud to be an Authorized Distributor for all major professional hair care brands, ensuring you receive only 100% genuine products every time. Our commitment is to provide a trustworthy, reliable, and high-quality service, giving you the confidence of working with a reputable company and an official brand partner. We deeply value the hairdressing industry and are dedicated to supporting our customers with authenticity and excellence.