Is Face Painting Safe?

Is Face Painting Safe?

 

Face painting has its roots in ancient history and has been associated with cultural practices and traditions. Around the world there are conventions, face painting festivals, and even competitions to celebrate this art form. It is argumentatively the biggest hit at events but is it safe?

As a professional clown  and entertainer I get asked this question quite often. I tell my clients’ to consider the three P’s, Product, Professionalism, and the Person.

Product

Be sure the paint being used on the skin is  water based and FDA compliant. No manufacturer can guarantee zero allergic reactions, however, top brands spend time on research and development of products costs money that the cheap brands just don’t bother to spend.

A cheap acrylic product is just not worth it.

 

Acrylics adhere well to fiber, making them a bad choice for face painting. Kids feel irritated by cheap paint that feels heavy and dry. They’ll scratch, smudge or wash it off much sooner.

Professionalism

While a license is not required to become a face painter in the United States a professional face painter will invest in the purchase of professional products, background checks and insurance. They’ll also take time to learn proper application and cleaning techniques to minimize skin irritation. A professional already did their homework so that you can focus on fun.

Person

I am not a medical doctor but know enough to know that some people have sensitive skin and should not get painted.  What I’ve learned from the industry is allergic reactions when using face paints should be extremely rare.  Most allergic reactions are caused by the method the parent used to remove the face paints. One of the best ways to recognize an allergic reaction from face paints is the reaction will appear in the specific spots where the face paint was. Great memories should be permanent not face paint.

Face Painting Dos And Don’ts

 

Do hire a professional.

Don’t put acrylic paint on the skin.

Do wash paint off with warm water and soap.

Don’t sleep in paint over night.