Idaho Barber Licensure Practice Exam

When mixing hair color, what safety precaution should be taken?

1. Wash hair before application

2. Wear gloves to prevent skin irritation

3. Apply color to dry hair only

4. Use a metal bowl for mixing

The correct answer is: Wear gloves to prevent skin irritation

Wearing gloves when mixing and applying hair color is an essential safety precaution. Gloves serve a dual purpose: they protect the skin from potential irritation caused by the chemicals in hair dye and help prevent staining on the skin and nails. Many hair colors contain strong chemicals that can cause allergic reactions or skin irritation, especially for individuals with sensitive skin. Therefore, using gloves is a fundamental practice in both professional and personal hair coloring procedures to ensure safety and comfort. Other options may not be as critical for safety. For instance, washing hair before application is often recommended for better color adherence but is not a direct safety issue. Applying color to dry hair can be a common practice for some coloring techniques, but it doesn’t address safety concerns. Using a metal bowl is discouraged in some cases since metal can react with certain chemicals in hair dye; however, this is more about preserving the quality of the mixture than about immediate safety. The clear safety measure, in the context of protecting oneself from harm while coloring hair, is to always wear gloves.