I wanted my hair dyed but I ended up like this..

Published on Saturday 27 June 2009 11:10

HEALTH and safety officers are investigating claims a woman's trip to an Edinburgh hair salon left her with a burned scalp and bald patches.

Diane Banks, 31, claims she was even forced to visit A&E after the trip to McKensie Knight hairdressers on South Clerk Street.

And she says so much of her hair has fallen out she is now buying a wig to cover the "red and weeping" bald areas.

Health and safety officers have visited the salon and a council spokesman confirmed a complaint had been made which is being investigated.

The salon has refunded Mrs Banks' 50 fee and apologised for her distress, but they say they are not responsible for her injuries.

The 29-year-old hairdresser who did the work, who does not want to be named, said she believes Mrs Banks tampered with her hair after her visit, a claim which Mrs Banks denies.

Mrs Banks, a trainee hairdresser herself, from The Murrays Brae, visited the salon last week after attempting to dye her hair from brown to blonde.

She was not happy with the result, which "looked orange" so she went to a professional to see what they could do to improve the colour. But she claims minutes after the treatment was applied her scalp started stinging.

The pain got so bad she says she asked for the bleach to be removed. A second attempt was made to tint her hair, but again the burning sensation forced her to demand the mixture be taken off.

But as she drove home Mrs Banks says her head felt "like it was bubbling and sticky".

Later in the evening she says she was still in agony and visited the ERI and was sent to A&E.

She said: "When I got home my scalp was red and peeling.The doctor had never seen anything like it so she had to ring the plastic surgeon at St John's Hospital.

"She gave me strong painkillers but I can't take them in the day because they make me drowsy.

"It is so embarrassing for me and my kids and I am also not allowed to wash my hair for two weeks."

Mrs Banks said she has since woken up to find clumps of hair on her pillow and when she took a shower more hair fell out. She now has several bald patches and is wearing a hat constantly.

She said: "I don't want to go out because I feel so low. I don't even like taking my toddler to her nursery group."

"I am looking for a wig. It is so upsetting because I take pride in my appearance."

Shaun Knight, owner of McKensie Knight, said the hairdresser who treated Mrs Banks was self-employed and did not work for the company.

He added that two officials from the council's health and safety department had visited the premises.

The stylist who carried out the work said correct procedures were followed at all times. She labelled herself a self-employed stylist with many years of colour training.

She said: "The customer was persistent that she wanted her hair blonde so I had to bleach it. I explained to her that it would be itchy and sore. I explained the whole procedure.

"I am not responsible for this. I think she must have done something to her hair when she left the salon. She returned to the salon for a refund and there was nothing wrong with her scalp."

A council spokesman confirmed that a complaint had been made and it was being investigated. He said: "We have received a complaint of that nature and are currently investigating."