SAFETY AND HYGIENE

This is an important subject for me as a painter and as a parent because I want to be confident that anything going on my child's skin is safe and hygienic as I am sure that you are too. I only use professional, safe and approved products that are specifically produced for painting onto the face. The paints are water based and wash off easily with mild soap and water or wet wipes. I never use products like acrylics or seasonal products that say they are face paints.

To avoid the spread of potential germs and infections, I do not paint a child with a cold sore, open wound or continuously runny nose. I will offer them something on their arm or hand instead. The child will be treated with sensitivity and offered an alternative instead, although it is the parent or guardian's responsibility not to put the child into that position in the first place.

If a child is, what we call in the trade, a wriggler(!) then I will make the decision whether or not it is safe to paint their face and offer cheek or body art instead, if necessary. I will only paint a child that wants to be painted.

Skin tests are always available and these are done by painting a small amount of paint onto the inside of the elbow or wrist and then waiting 45 minutes.