Short answer
Salons use Sign PDF to send a patch test record and service consent form that the client signs on their phone at the front desk or before the appointment. The signed PDF records the product, the date of the skin test and the client's answers, which is the record you want if a reaction is ever questioned.
Updated 25 October 2026
Patch tests: follow the product's instructions
Hair dye and tint manufacturers tell you when to skin test, and most say at least 48 hours before the service. Some ask for a test before every colour service; others accept a recent one. Follow the instructions for the product you use, not a general rule, and write down the brand, shade, date and result.
A signed patch test record does not prevent a reaction, and a negative test is not a guarantee. What it shows is that the test was done, the client was told what to look for, and they confirmed they had no reaction before the service.
What a salon consent form asks
Consultation and consent forms vary by treatment, but most ask about:
- Previous reactions to hair dye, tint, lash glue or black henna tattoos.
- Scalp or skin conditions, and recent sunburn.
- Medicines that affect the skin, such as retinoids before waxing.
- Pregnancy, for some treatments.
- Contact lenses and eye conditions, for lash and brow work.
- Permission to photograph the result for social media, as its own checkbox.
Signing at the front desk
The client signs on their own phone. Send the form from the reception computer to their email, they enter the six-digit code and sign, and the sealed PDF comes back to you. Send it with the booking confirmation and it is done before they arrive.
Consent forms include health information, which data protection law treats with care in the UK, EU and elsewhere. Ask only what you need for the service, and keep the signed forms somewhere secure.
Plans, and when your booking system already does it
Some salon booking systems include intake forms. If yours does and you are happy with it, keep using it. Sign PDF suits salons that have their own PDF or Word consent forms and want them signed and sealed with a proper audit trail.
A salon with a form per new client sends dozens a month, so Full at $10 a month for unlimited documents and templates is the right plan. Light at $5 covers 2 a month. We do not take bookings, deposits or payments.
Questions people ask
How long should I keep a client's patch test record?
Follow your insurer's guidance and local data protection rules. Many salons keep records for as long as the client is active, plus a set period afterwards.
Can I use one consent form for several treatments?
Yes. Add a checkbox for each treatment, or send separate forms for higher-risk services like lash extensions or chemical treatments.
Can a parent sign for a client under 18?
Yes. Add the parent or guardian as a signer. Some treatments have minimum ages set by law or by the product, so check before booking.
Does the client need to download an app?
No. They sign in their phone's browser from the email link.
Send your next colour patch test and consent for signature
Upload it from your phone or laptop. The boxes go in the right places, your client signs on their phone, and you get a sealed copy back.
Upload a document