THE -HAIR STYLIST'S- TAP : THE ETHICiST [ Q ]

I've been going to a hairstylist who promotes his all-natural, organic dye as healthy for hair. I never questioned it, until at my most recent visit, he dyed my hair the wrong color.

When I asked him to fix it, he made it even worse, turning my hair a deep mahogany instead of the golden copper I requested.

For two weeks he repeatedly insisted, via text, that he had done it correctly, and that I didn't know what I wanted.

His rude, angry responses made me too uncomfortable to ever return. Frustrated, I researched the dye brand he used and was horrified to learn that its key ingredients, ethanolamine, is potentially more damaging to hair than ammonia, and I've read that it could be carcinogenic.

NOW, I'm torn. My hairstylist refunded my money, and I sympathise with him as a small-business owner, but I also feel compelled to warn people that his '' healthy '' dye may not be as safe as he claims.

Am I obligated to speak up or should customer's be responsible for doing their own research?

Would posting a negative review protect others, or punish him by potentially putting his small business at risk?

What's the right thing to do? [ NAME WITHHELD ]

The World Students Society thanks The New York Times.