Health & Safety
In order to keep everyone safe and having fun I have to think about health and safety before every party. See below for specific considerations for each service.
COVID-19
Face Painting is an extremely close contact activity and is the highest risk level according to Government advice. I will be wearing PPE and sanitising equipment between faces so may be slower than usual thank you for understanding!
For socially distanced outdoor parties I can do Balloon Twisting and/or Bubbleology - these are great entertainment for all ages! Bookings are coming in fast so call now to avoid disappointment!
Face Painting & Body Art
I have been facepainting since 2002; I am a member of FACE the UK Face Painting Association which has a strict code of practice regarding hygiene. I have £5M Public Liability Insurance; I hold an Enhanced DBS Check and have a hygiene certificate and Advanced training from the London School of Face Painting.
Allergies
I only use professional high quality cosmetic face paint and body paint that is made for use on the skin: Mehron - Paradise - Kryolan - Fardel - Grimas - Diamond FX - Snazaroo. These are non-toxic, hypo-allergenic and contain anti-bacterial ingredients. They can be washed off easily with soap and water.
HOWEVER - if you or your child have a history of being allergic to cosmetic makeup, and still want to be painted, you must do a patch test. This is simply having a dab of paint applied to the inside of the elbow and waiting 20 minutes to see if there is any reaction.
Face Painting Under 3's
Children under 2 cannot be painted due to manufacturer's guidelines and the rules of my insurance company. This is for medical reasons - children under 2 do not have a fully developed immune system, and exposure to some products at an early age can create allergies in later life.
Children under 3 are painted at the face painter's discretion - if the child appears unwiling to be painted, or cannot sit still then they will not be painted. This is to avoid distress and injury to the child.
Skin Conditions
Anyone who appears to have the following skin conditions will not be painted:
- Ringworm
- Scabies
- Conjunctivitis
- Cold sores
These are all contagious conditions that can be passed on to other people, anyone who looks as if they are suffering from these conditions will not be painted.
Open wounds, cuts, grazes and scabs cannot be painted over - this is to avoid introducing bacteria to the wound which may then become infected.
Eczema and psoriasis are not contagious, but can become irritated by being painted. Once the paint is on the skin, it dries out and draws moisture away from the skin. For people with normal skin this is not a problem, but people with dry, sensitive skin may have a reaction.
Paint removal
Face paint is water based makeup, you do not need special cleansers to remove it - just your normal soap and water. Some strong pigments may still be present after washing, so a second wash using a flannel may be needed. Baby wipes should not be used as they contain alcohol and other astringent cleansers, which can dry out the face and cause reactions.
Bubbleology
I use a home made bubble recipe which contains common ingredients found in every kitchen - Fairy liquid, salt, baking powder and guar gum. These are diluted in 10 litres of water. The concentration is very small so there is a very low chance of reactions, however it may irritate eyes if in direct contact - rinsing with clean water should wash it away.
After a while the floor can become slippery - I will stop making bubbles if this happens so that there are no accidents. For indoor parties I bring sheets to cover the floor and soak up the liquid.
Parents should stay close by in case of accidents - bubbles are exciting and children often forget to look where they are running, so bumps are possible!
Balloon Twisting
Balloons are a choking hazard and will not be given to children under 2 years. Children up to 8 years should be supervised at all times. Do not allow children to put balloons in their mouth, bursting balloons can hurt and the pieces can go into the throat without you realising.