Salon Scams and Overcharging: How to Protect Yourself

Salon Scams in 2026: An Overview

The U.S. hair salon industry generates approximately $48 billion in annual revenue, employing over 800,000 licensed cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While the vast majority of salons operate honestly, consumer complaints about salon overcharging and deceptive practices have increased steadily. The Better Business Bureau received over 12,000 complaints related to hair salon and barbershop services in 2025, up from 9,400 in 2023.

Salon scams range from minor annoyances like unexplained surcharges to serious issues like unlicensed practitioners causing chemical damage. The power dynamic in a salon appointment makes consumers vulnerable: you are seated, caped, and often mid-process when additional services or charges are suggested. Saying no feels uncomfortable, which is exactly what deceptive salons exploit.

This guide covers the most common salon scams and overcharging tactics active in 2026, explains your consumer rights, and provides practical steps to protect yourself before, during, and after salon visits.

Hidden Fees and Surprise Charges

The most common salon scam is the addition of charges that were not disclosed before the service began. These hidden fees are technically legal in many jurisdictions if they are listed somewhere in the salon, but the practice of burying them in fine print or failing to mention them during consultation is deceptive.

Common Hidden Fees

• Long hair surcharge: Many salons charge 20-50% more for hair past shoulder length. This is a legitimate cost increase due to more product and time, but it must be disclosed before the service begins, not added to the bill afterward
• Thick hair or detangling fee: A $15-30 additional charge for thick, tangled, or textured hair that requires extra processing time. Again, legitimate but must be communicated upfront
• Blow-dry and styling fee: Some salons list cut prices that do not include blow-dry or styling, which is charged as an additional $25-50 service. The listed price implies a finished service, which is misleading
• Deep conditioning charge: Stylists may apply deep conditioning treatments during processing without asking and add $15-35 to the bill. Any product application should be authorized and priced before use
• Color correction premium: If your hair has previous color, some salons add a color correction surcharge without prior discussion. This can add $50-200 to the expected bill
• Weekend or holiday surcharge: A 10-20% markup for weekend or holiday appointments, listed only in fine print on the booking confirmation
• Credit card processing fee: A 2-4% fee for credit card payments, added at checkout. In some states, this surcharge is illegal

Bait-and-Switch Pricing

Bait-and-switch pricing occurs when a salon advertises services at one price but charges a higher price when you arrive. This is a violation of consumer protection laws in every U.S. state. Common forms include advertising a low price for a basic cut or color on the website, social media, or in mailers, then informing clients at the consultation that the advertised price only applies to specific service levels, hair types, or hair lengths that exclude most customers.

Some salons advertise "starting at" prices that apply only to the shortest, thinnest, easiest-to-process hair. The actual price for an average client may be 50-100% higher. While "starting at" pricing is legal, it becomes deceptive when the starting price applies to such a small percentage of clients that it functionally misrepresents the cost for typical customers.

How to Identify Bait-and-Switch

• The website price differs from the price quoted in person without a clear, published reason
• "Starting at" prices with no published price range or maximum price
• Prices that do not include essential components like blow-dry, gloss, or toner that most clients need
• Social media advertisements with prices significantly below the salon's menu rates
• Groupon or discount deals that are honored only with significant restrictions not mentioned in the deal terms

Unauthorized Services and Upselling

During your appointment, a stylist may suggest additional services presented as necessary for the best result. While professional recommendations can be genuinely helpful, aggressive upselling crosses into deceptive territory when the stylist implies the service cannot be completed properly without the add-on, or when services are performed without explicit authorization.

Common unauthorized add-ons include applying toner after highlights without discussing the cost, performing a gloss treatment during color processing, using a premium product line and charging for it, adding extra foils beyond what was discussed, and performing a "corrective" service they say is necessary due to your existing hair condition.

The critical principle is informed consent. You have the right to know what will be done, what it will cost, and to approve or decline before the stylist proceeds. A professional stylist explains recommendations and respects your decision. A deceptive stylist performs the service first and presents the charge afterward.

Aggressive Product Pushing

Many salons derive significant revenue from retail product sales, and stylists may receive commission on products they sell. This creates an incentive to pressure clients into purchasing products they may not need. While professional product recommendations from your stylist can be valuable, there is a line between helpful advice and high-pressure sales tactics.

Red flags include the stylist implying your hair will be damaged without their recommended products, claiming drugstore products will undo the salon results, pre-packing products into a bag for you to purchase at checkout without prior discussion, and applying products during the service and then presenting them as a purchase at checkout.

The Reality About Salon Products

Professional salon products are often higher quality than mass-market alternatives, but the price difference does not always correspond to a proportional quality difference. Independent testing has shown that many drugstore products perform comparably to salon products in categories like shampoo, conditioner, and styling products. The most significant quality differences tend to be in color-safe products and bond-building treatments where formulation complexity matters.

You are never obligated to purchase products from a salon. A professional stylist provides genuine recommendations and respects your purchasing decision without pressure or guilt.

Fake Credentials and Unlicensed Stylists

Every state requires cosmetologists to hold a valid license, typically earned through 1,000-1,600 hours of training at a licensed cosmetology school and passing a state board examination. Salons must hold an establishment license and display it prominently. However, enforcement varies by state, and unlicensed practitioners do operate within otherwise legitimate salons, particularly during staff shortages.

An unlicensed stylist may lack the training necessary to safely perform chemical services like color, bleach, relaxers, and keratin treatments. These services involve chemicals that can cause severe damage to hair and scalp when applied incorrectly. Chemical burns, hair breakage, and allergic reactions are all documented consequences of services performed by untrained operators.

How to Verify Your Stylist

• Check your state cosmetology board website for license verification tools
• Look for the salon establishment license displayed in the reception area
• Ask your stylist directly about their training and license. A professional stylist will not be offended by this question
• Check if the stylist has advanced certifications for specific services (color certification, extension certification, keratin treatment certification)
• Read reviews that mention the specific stylist by name, not just general salon reviews

Online Booking Scams

The shift to online booking has introduced new scam vectors in 2026. Fake salon websites that mimic legitimate salons collect deposits or pre-payments and then do not provide services. Third-party booking platforms charge hidden booking fees that the salon does not receive or endorse. Fake review profiles inflate the ratings of low-quality or scam salons on Google, Yelp, and other platforms.

Before booking online, verify the salon's website matches their Google Business Profile listing. Call the salon directly to confirm availability and pricing if booking through a third-party platform. Never pay full service cost upfront to a salon you have never visited. Legitimate deposits typically range from $25-50, not the full service price.

Hair Damage and Liability

When a salon service causes damage to your hair, the salon bears responsibility. This includes chemical burns from improperly applied or timed bleach, color, or relaxer treatments, excessive breakage from improper technique, allergic reactions from products applied without a patch test (required by many product manufacturers), and heat damage from improperly calibrated tools.

Salons carry professional liability insurance specifically for these situations. If a service causes damage, document it immediately with photographs, request the salon's insurance information, and file a claim. If the salon refuses to cooperate, file a complaint with your state cosmetology board and consult a consumer protection attorney.

How to Protect Yourself

Your Consumer Rights

As a salon client, you have legally protected consumer rights. These vary by state but generally include the right to receive services as described and priced, the right to an itemized receipt, the right to refuse additional services, the right to informed consent for all products and chemicals applied to your hair, and the right to file complaints with regulatory agencies.

If a salon charges you for services you did not authorize, this may constitute fraud or unfair business practices under your state's consumer protection act. Document everything and consider small claims court for amounts under your state's small claims limit (typically $5,000-$10,000) if the salon refuses to resolve the dispute.

FAQ: Salon Scams and Overcharging

Can a salon charge me more than the quoted price?

A salon should not charge more than the quoted price without informing you of additional costs before performing the service. If they discover your hair requires additional work, they should explain the additional cost and get your approval before proceeding. Charging more than quoted without prior consent may violate consumer protection laws. Always confirm the total estimated cost before the service begins.

What should I do if a salon damaged my hair?

Document the damage with photos immediately and within the following days. Request a refund or corrective service from the salon in writing. If they refuse, file a complaint with your state cosmetology board and your state attorney general consumer protection division. Leave factual reviews describing what happened. If the damage is significant, consult a dermatologist and an attorney about potential claims.

How do I verify if a salon is properly licensed?

Every state requires salons to display their establishment license visibly. Individual stylists must also hold a valid cosmetology license. You can verify licenses through your state cosmetology board website, which maintains searchable databases. Check both the salon establishment license and the individual practitioner license.

Is it normal for salons to charge extra for long or thick hair?

Yes, many salons legitimately charge more for long or thick hair because these services require more product, more time, and more labor. However, the surcharge should be disclosed before booking or during the consultation, not added as a surprise on the final bill. Surcharges of 10-30% for extra-long or extra-thick hair are common and reasonable when disclosed upfront.

How can I avoid being overcharged at a salon?

Request a detailed written estimate before any services begin, including all products that will be used. Ask specifically about additional charges for hair length, thickness, detangling, deep conditioning, or styling. Confirm whether the quoted price includes blow-dry and styling. Take a photo of the price menu. Do not authorize additional services during the appointment without asking the cost first. Pay with a credit card for chargeback protection.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a consumer protection attorney for specific legal questions. Report deceptive business practices to the FTC and your state attorney general.