Privacy Policy & Salon Policies

Rakotta respects your privacy and is committed to handling your personal information responsibly. This policy explains what information we collect, why we need it, how it is used and the choices available to you.

Depending on how you interact with Rakotta, we may collect:

• Contact information: Your name, email address, telephone number and other details you provide when contacting us or making a booking.
• Appointment information: Your chosen services, booking dates, appointment history and relevant communications.
• Hair and treatment information: Information you choose to share about your hair history, allergies, sensitivities, previous treatments or other factors relevant to the suitability and safe delivery of a service.
• Payment and deposit information: Records relating to deposits, payments, refunds and cancellations. Payment card details may be handled directly by our payment provider rather than stored by Rakotta.
• Website information: Limited technical information, such as device and browser details and website usage data, where collected through necessary technologies, analytics or cookies.

Please only share information that is relevant to your appointment or enquiry.

We may use your information to:

• Manage appointments, bookings, deposits and cancellations.
• Respond to enquiries and communicate important appointment information.
• Understand your requested service and provide an appropriate, personalised salon experience.
• Consider relevant hair history, allergies or sensitivities when assessing treatment suitability.
• Process payments and maintain appropriate business records.
• Maintain website security, improve our services and meet applicable legal obligations.

We only use personal information where we have an appropriate lawful basis to do so.

Some information about allergies, sensitivities or health may constitute special-category personal data under UK data protection law. Where this applies, Rakotta will only process it when the relevant legal requirements are met.

We ask that you share only the information reasonably needed to assess your treatment. Please let us know about relevant allergies or sensitivities before your appointment.

Our website may direct you to a third-party booking platform to make or manage an appointment. If you follow that link, the provider may collect and process your information under its own privacy policy and terms.

We may also use trusted providers for website hosting, communications, payment processing or other business operations where necessary. Information is shared only as appropriate for the relevant purpose and subject to applicable data protection requirements.

Please review the relevant provider's privacy information before submitting personal details through its services.

We take reasonable technical and organisational steps to protect personal information against unauthorised access, loss, misuse or disclosure. Access should be limited to those who need the information for legitimate business purposes.

No website or electronic transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this policy, taking into account appointment management, business records, applicable legal requirements and the resolution of disputes.

Different types of information may need to be retained for different periods. When information is no longer required, we will take appropriate steps to delete or securely dispose of it.

Our website may use essential cookies or similar technologies needed for its operation. If we use non-essential analytics, advertising or tracking cookies, we will provide the required information and obtain consent where applicable.

You can manage available cookie preferences through our website's cookie controls, where provided.

Depending on the circumstances, you may have the right to:

• Request access to the personal information we hold about you.
• Ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Request erasure or restriction of processing where the relevant legal conditions apply.
• Object to certain processing.
• Request a copy of certain information in a portable format.
• Withdraw consent where processing relies on consent.

To exercise a relevant right or ask a question about your information, please contact Rakotta using the contact details provided on our website.

You may also complain to the UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk if you believe your personal information has been handled improperly.

We may update this policy when our practices, services or legal obligations change. The latest version will be published on this page with its updated date.

If you need to cancel or reschedule, please give 72 hours' notice. This allows us to offer the slot to another client.

Cancellations made with less than 48 hours' notice will result in your deposit being 100% retained as a late cancellation fee.

I understand life happens, but last-minute changes make it difficult to run the salon fairly. If you don't attend your appointment without notice, the full deposit will be kept.

Repeated no-shows may affect future booking ability.

If you're running late, please call the salon.

Please call the salon should you need to speak to the stylist directly.

If you're more than 15 minutes behind, we may need to adjust or reschedule your service depending on the time available.

Thank you so much for respecting our time and supporting a small, independent salon.

Every client's hair is different. Please share any relevant previous colour, chemical treatments, extensions, allergies or sensitivities before your service. This helps us discuss suitability, expectations and any necessary consultation or testing.

Some services may require a consultation or additional assessment before an appointment can be confirmed. Please follow any preparation or testing instructions provided by the salon.

We may wish to photograph completed styles for our portfolio or social media. We will seek your permission before using identifiable photographs of you for promotional purposes. You can decline promotional photography without this affecting your standard salon experience.

Online bookings and any external services are subject to the relevant provider's own terms and privacy practices. Please check the applicable details when booking.

If you have questions about a booking, treatment, cancellation or your personal information, please contact Rakotta directly using the contact details on our website. We're always happy to clarify anything before your visit.