Anything involving the face or eyes – especially those of other people – is going to call up a few safety concerns. Face painting Perth is no different in this regard.
Here are vital safety tips for anyone that does face painting.
First, use the right paints. You don’t want something that’s just non-toxic. Acrylic craft paints aren’t toxic, but they’re not meant for use on the skin either. You want the paints to be approved for use on people’s skin.
This means that it has to be easy to remove and not have irritants like nickel. No craft paints. They’re a bit pricier, but they’re a necessity.
Limit the use of glitter. For starters, never use the metallic craft glitter you might find. You’ll want ones that are made of polyester. In addition, you’ll want them to be 0.008 microns in size or smaller because that’s the general safe “cosmetic size” for use on skin.
Clean the brushes and sponges. Alcohol alone is not enough. You want to actually clean them between uses, alongside your hands.
In addition to cleaning your tools, you’ll also want to keep an eye out for other health concerns. Don’t paint anyone with an open sore or wound. Avoid anyone with a communicable illness. Acne is one thing you should avoid too since you can end up irritating the skin.
If the person with acne insists on being painted, offer to work on another area or use stickers.
In line with the above, wash your damn hands. Wash between customers. Use hand sanitizer to kill any bacteria. This will not just keep your clients healthy, but you too.
This should be obvious but avoid head lice. You don’t want to end up transferring the pests from the head to you. Since you’re holding their heads steady as you work, you’re actually at risk of them jumping onto your arm. Check thoroughly before you get started.
Paint comfortably. If you’re sitting down, make sure the chair is comfortable and you feel relaxed. Wear supportive shoes, for protecting the back. It’s easy to do long-term damage if you’re not comfortable, plus it’s a distraction you’d prefer to avoid as you work.
Avoid too much bending, stretching, and twisting in the same ways. This is actually a pretty good way to get an injury.
Finally, get insurance. It’s always a good idea to get insurance for these situations, to cover things that happen. Even with all the precautions in the world, bad things can still occur.