Oh No! Tag Neons!!

I agree with you on this Terina!

I've never had a problem with the neons. Also, Disneyland and Disney World have Wolfe neons as a part of their kit and use them on almost every face painting they do. With how careful they are about everything, I really don't think they would continue to use the paints if they had ever had a problem with them.

This sort of non-news is kind of a bummer. I have the DFX rainbow cake and the girls of course love it for butterflies and all of the TAG neon colors. I agree there haven't really been anymore problems with them than any other face paint colors, but I think that until more info or testing comes out I will take them out of my kit. I have plenty of other colors to work with. I love the look of them, especially the rainbow cake, but really, the colors alone, I have to lay down a similar color as a base or mix them to make it opaque enough to use (which might solve a problem right there, I don't know?). Since I don't do black light gigs, I don't really need them. Funny, my TAG neon colors only say to keep them away from fabric.

This discussion has opened my eyes. I used my Wolfe neon rainbow cake all the time for masks and butterflies - kids love the colors. I never even noticed that the label says "do not use around the eyes or on the lips". I feel like an idiot! I loved my neon rainbow cake but a divorce is in order! So very disappointing! I will be more cautious going forward. Thanks for all the info. It seems that when things need to be explained to such an extent that in and of itself is reason to stay away.

ok just had a look at my TAG neons rainbow and this is what it says on the back!

so it say's made with FDA approved ingredients, wouldn't that mean it's covered? very confused!.

I know the government here did not approve the declaration "non-toxic fluorescent pigment", what is that? But DFX have not changed it to the specific colours =)

But the disodium distyrylbiphenyl disulfonate, mentioned on other labels, they do not approve and should be avoided.

In EU, they should have a CE EN 71 on the label, since that is the code for approved toy (and they classify facepaint as a toy)

I agree also with Terina.
What concerns me the most is that we encounter hazards everyday that are far more lethal than the "non-toxicity" of neon make up.
How many of you smoke cigarettes?? OR are victims of passive cigarette smoke??
And the additives in your favorite comfort food??? Do your kids consume that food too??
How about the radiation exposure from your microwave or the toxic fumes your teflon releases when it heats up?
You know that distinct smell that hospitals have????? YUP! you guessed it FORMELDEHYDE!
I was recently informed of our respected family dermatologist who uses it to treat some skin ailments - in low controlled amounts.
Until something concrete surfaces, I'm letting this go and will follow Clash's example of implementing age restrictions when using neons. I think it a more calm and rational way of dealing with the problem at hand. I hope it catches....

I want everyone to know that I have read every comment here and have made it through some of Clash's post. It is so hard to know what is right. These colors are amazing for use in face painting, but I too was outraged when I started getting the DFX containers with the whole "Hair and special effects only" label. I even contacted them and asked them what the deal was.

We all know that Wolfe, TAG, DFX and probably a few other brands(same paint under other names) are made in the same factory so if one has non-approved Neons, they all do.

In reading all of these, I am trying to figure out what the potential harm is. Is it potential for cancer or just irritation? How can it be safe for older kids, if it isn't safe for younger kids.

I will be working on a warning today for my DFX and TAG neons, but how do I word it since one company says it is safe, just not approved yet and the other says it should only be used on hair.

I am going to email both companies and ask them for their specific stance on this and will tell them that I will quote them both on my site so that the liability comes back to them.

In the end though, I feel that in general these are safe products and the most potential for danger is to the face painter who is coming into contact with these most. But this is just my opinion to which I think that is all that is out there now since no one seems to be willing to state for a fact what the danger truley is.

-Metina

Oh poop. I just did my very first 'black light' paint after getting a Wolfe pallette. Upon reading these studies, I think that much is overstated but it is best to err on the side of caution, but not hysteria. I will now not be using these neons on the face, but will continue on upper arms, backs, ankles and bellies on the 6 to 106 year old crowd. Until told otherwise, the brands we use are pretty heavily tested and I have faith in them. In Canada, Big Brother is watching you and if it was really bad, I would have a MUCH harder time getting hold of it and would have already been informed that it's a non-approved item for Canadian consumption.

BUT I will be watching the grapevine for new developments on this issue.
Oh well.......

I wonder, at what point does the maker of the fine DFX, Wolfe, and TAG paints, earn enough money from the sale (or rather, lose enough money from the lack of sale) of the paints to warrant the studies required to get the FDA approval?

Most of us stand on "Only FDA-approved ingredients" and use it to differentiate us from the craft-paint-hooker-across-the-street. So, to use the neony stuff would be hypocritical... even though I have every confidence that it is safe. But it really makes no nevermind to me cause I don't use UV in facepainting, and the adults I bodypaint can choose for themselves.

Yikes! I really wanted some of those too.

Well...I checked with the two insurance companies that I was getting ready to go with...still deciding where to go when my old contract expires. Anyway, I was informed as long as something was sold as face paint directly it was covered. I did not go into the whole neon thing or any of that...I just called them up and asked directly what was covered and what was not on the insurance.

I finally got a response from DFX today with a direct cell number to someone. Calling them in the morning so that I can determine whether the products are considered face paint or not. If not then my insurance won't cover so, if they are then it will.

I want to add that I just really think it is a cover your bahookeey deal!

On a similar note, can I ask why there doesn't seem to be a tag one stroke pearl rainbow cake? Only regular and neon? Should this be a separate thread?

Julie

I have the Tag pearl neon rainbow...... hmm maybe your talking about a 30g and not a 50g.... good question ... I'll ask Gaenor ( one of the directors).

I must say.... it does say on the back of the Tag "made with FDA approved ingredients"..... what's important to note here is it's a product to be marketed in Australia and we don't use the FDA for compliance, we use EU regulations.

If you REALLY wanted to get to the bottom of it ... try asking Merhon WHY they don't make them. Their reasoning might be good enough to stop us using them but as of now.... I'm still using them.
You guys do realise they put Formaldehyde in all new clothing, bed sheets towels, shoes, wigs, and the list goes on and on... everything that is new, non edible and the company wants them to stay looking fresh until bought use it.
That's why they tell you to wash before wear.
I find it interesting that the fluid they use to preserve things could actualy have cancer causeing properties..... but then again so does sunscreen.....
there's a damned if you do damned if you don't scenario.... wear the sunscreen - get cancer..... don't wear the sunscreen... get cancer.
This is kind of like the germophobe issue to me..... it is possible to care to much.
Just my thoughts.

In the Forum Shop, under the TAG products,, click on "Rainbow" and you will see this: TAG Pearl Rainbow
TAG Pearl Rainbow
In Stock
Price: $16.24

They're great.
I made my own... and LOVE it!

I sat down last night and pulled all the neons out of my kit, doctored my splits so they don't contain neon magenta (wah!) and replaced them with mixed non-neon paint. I found that a mix of red and TAG's slightly insipid regular pink makes a good magenta substitute so that sorts out my tropical, unicorn and magnolia splits and then I ripped out the neon rainbow cake and made it a tiger with golden yellow and orange. Boo bloody hoo, I love neon magenta but my new cake and splits say for hair and special fx and I cant use them if they might not be safe. It's well annoying though.

You can compare the color and ingredients used in the USA on the FDA.GOV site. You can follow the Cosmetics or Novelty routes for lots of great information. They explain why some colors are not safe for use on the eyelids and lips (thin membranes), and also explain different testing and what is tested and what may not be tested.

I think that this will help you decide whether you are keeping or tossing your neons.

Jenny

kat wrote:In the Forum Shop, under the TAG products,, click on "Rainbow" and you will see this: TAG Pearl Rainbow
TAG Pearl Rainbow
In Stock
Price: $16.24

They're great.
I made my own... and LOVE it!

Sorry...maybe should have been more specific. I wonder why there's a large pearl rainbow but not a small. Like for use with a one inch brush

Maybe they just haven't had enough inquiry to make one yet.

If you've got all their pearl colours it would be easy enought to make your own. mmmm there's a thought I'm off to make a new pearl rainbow cake.

I made my own too, I like to add pearl white at the end to soften it up

Here's mine....



I made it using:
all metallics - pink/red/orange/yellow/green (a sliver, it really takes over)/sky blue/lavender/purple (sliver)

Aw, man. I have a velcro sticker on the back of my cakes so I can't read them. And I tried to pull it up but the paper started to rip If I could see that "made with FDA approved materials" I would feel ok to keep them in my kit. The thing is, that I advertise that I use only FDA approved cosmetic products- people are familiar and comfortable with FDA approval (reguardless of how much or how little stock I put in it personally.) And, though I don't believe there will be any negative consequences from the use of neon paints, it comes down to a level of trust and honesty between myself and my client. If I say only FDA approved I have to abide by that. Removing neons from my kit won't kill me, but continuing to use them could potentially damage the trust that my clients place in me. No product is worth that. I'm not throwing my neons away (in fact, I just bought a few more,) but I will only use them on myself untill further safeguards are made. (Let's hope that won't be long comming!)

When removing the neons, remember to remove all the products containing parabenes and perfume as well. That is also suspected of causing cancer and allergy.

Also check all makeup - a lot of those say that "do not use near the eyes" - normally stuff like glitter eyeshadows.

Anyone know what the regulations for special effects are? Since there must be some rules about that too. A lot of facepainters also make special effects and I think a big part of those products are not approved for cosmetic use, but state "for professional use only".