Trichocare Diagnostics gets a good reaction

Trichocare Diagnostics, developer and supplier of Colourstart, a home testing kit for allergies to hair dye, is reporting a 28% increase in sales since winning the Silver Fox category at last year’s Startups Awards.

Around 20 new salons per month are using the product, including well-known brands like Nicky Clarke and Toni & Guy. In addition, the company has introduced a new, latex-free Nitrile Glove to protect stylists from occupational dermatitis.

Committed to raising standards in the hair and beauty profession, Trichocare has also conducted a series of roadshows in conjunction with the National Hairdressers Federation, discussing why skin testing before any permanent hair dye is an important health and safety requirement.

Brian Plunkett, Managing Director, Trichocare comments: ” Winning the Startups award generated some great publicity for the business. The accolade together with the help of UK Trade Investment, has helped us start trading overseas; in fact, we now have a Denmark-based customer that represents 15% of the 28% increase in sales.

“We have also introduced flexible education courses, including distance learning, bespoke workshops and residential training.”

Brian Plunkett has worked in hairdressing all his life, taking his first job as a barber when he was just 14 years old. He trained as a trichologist and soon found himself with an idea; he wanted to develop a home-testing kit for allergies from hair dye.

Brian used his contacts at Cranfield University to develop his idea and after scientific testing and academic backing, Trichocare Diagnostics was established and Colourstart, was launched to the market.

Startups.co.uk has just launched the third annual Startups Awards 2006 in conjunction with NatWest. Winners of the 15 categories will be announced at a prestigious awards ceremony and three-course luncheon to be held at the Royal Garden Hotel on Friday 20 October.