'He just kept cutting': Toddler left bleeding after haircut at Tampines salon

At New Nada Hair Salon in Century Square, Tampines, parents were shocked to see blood running down their son's ear as the hairdresser continued to snip away at his hair, apparently unaware of the injury.

On the afternoon of May 1, the boy's mother, Ms Iza, 35, brought her son to the salon for a haircut.

It was their first visit, and they were alarmed by the hairdresser's rough handling, which led to the child being injured.

"We noticed blood coming from behind his ear and immediately pointed it out to the hairdresser. However, instead of treating the wound, he kept rubbing it, making it worse," said Ms Iza.

During the incident, her son was patient and well-behaved as the hairdresser attended to him, but began crying only after the hairdresser's repeated rubbing caused him pain.

"The hairdresser just carried on as if nothing had happened. Later, we noticed another bloodstain behind his other ear."

According to Ms Iza, the salon owner was present and tending to another customer at the time.

When they approached him to express their concerns, he allegedly showed little empathy or willingness to resolve the situation.

"He barely looked at the wound and completely ignored us. My husband raised his voice out of frustration, but the owner simply told him to 'calm down'."

Frustrated and upset, the family left the salon. Ms Iza said that the injury was deep and left a scar.

Although they did not seek medical treatment, fearing the salon would refuse to cover the cost, she believes they deserved at least an apology and proper first aid.

"We're now considering legal action," she said.

When reporters from Shin Min Daily News visited the salon, a manager revealed that the hairdresser involved in the incident is a 75-year-old with over five decades of experience.

"I asked him what happened. Apparently, the child was a bit fussy during the haircut," the manager said.

"Children often move around when they cry, so it's possible the razor slipped and caused the cut."

He added: "The parents were furious and shouted in the shop. I tried to calm them down, but they eventually left in anger. I understand - emotions were high."

But perhaps the parents had reason to be frustrated, as Ms Iza claims she noticed the hairdresser had removed the safety guard from the razor while cutting her son's hair.

"He was also quite rough while handling my son's hair, but I didn't question it because I trusted his professionalism. Unfortunately, that led to my son getting hurt," she said.

After the incident, Ms Iza consulted a friend who is also a hairdresser and was told that removing the safety guard during a child's haircut is not standard practice, as it increases the risk of injury.