Safety is one of the aspects we should take most care over at beauty salons, mainly for our clients' sake, but also for our business's. Related to safety, in this article we want to talk to you about informed consent, which is an essential document at beauty salons, since it provides very important backing, both for the client and for us as the business owners.
We know that, sometimes, we can overlook getting this document signed, especially when performing treatments that are very simple or short, but the reality is we should always make it available to clients.
It's worth clarifying that this document won't exempt us from malpractice, but it will protect us from negligence our clients may have committed or could commit despite having been informed.
In this post we'll tell you what it involves, how to draw it up and when to provide it to the client:
What is informed consent?
Informed consent is a legal document that provides valuable information to both parties:
On the one hand, it gathers all the information you need from your client before carrying out a particular treatment, helping you avoid possible negative repercussions for your business. With the data and information your client provides in this document, you can assess whether or not to go ahead with the treatment, or whether it needs to be adapted for that particular client.
On the other hand, it also gives the client information and details about the treatment they're going to undergo (risks, side effects, expected results, etc.). We shouldn't forget that one of the main reasons for complaints at beauty salons stems precisely from a lack of information.
Many people see signing this document as a mere formality, but in reality it's very important. Bear in mind that we're going to perform a treatment on the client that will alter some area, so it's important to keep them informed about what it involves, its purpose or objective, and the possible adverse effects the treatment may have.
When should informed consent be signed?
Informed consent should always be given before carrying out the treatment, once the client is already at the salon and has settled in. We recommend keeping the following in mind:
- The right moment, so the client can read it calmly, without rushing, and fully understand all the information we're providing.
- The right place, preserving their privacy and confidentiality.
At Seena Owell we recommend giving the client the consent form before services such as: Lash lifts, Lash extensions, Brow lamination, Microblading, Micropigmentation, Dermapen and Wood therapy. We also recommend having a specific one for each treatment, as a generic one won't do.
How do you draw up an informed consent form?
There are many ways to draw up this document. Here's some basic information that should always appear on the informed consent form:
- Personal details (full name, ID number, address and phone number) of the person undergoing the treatment. If they're a minor, the guardian's, mother's or father's details should appear.
- Details of the professional or company carrying out the treatment.
- Name and information about the treatment to be performed.
- Foreseeable consequences that may appear during and after the aesthetic treatment.
- Inherent consequences that may appear during and after the session.
- Aftercare the client should follow.
- Observations.
- Client's signature.
- Professional's signature.
We also recommend including your salon's logo to personalise the document.
If you're a beauty professional and aren't sure whether you have a solid legal document to protect you in the event of a problem with a client, don't waste time. At Seena Owell we offer a personalised advisory service where a professional will advise you on this. You can book it here: https://seenaowell.com/products/asesoria-personalizada-para-profesionales
Leave us a comment letting us know if you already knew how important it was for your clients to sign the consent form, whether you have one available at your salon, and whether you find it useful.
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If you have any questions about using any of our products or carrying out services, feel free to contact us:
- Chat on the website
- Phone: (+34) 91 421 30 59
- WhatsApp: (+34) 618 578 678
- By email: info@seenaowell.com
