Who will you not paint?

Last weekend I had the most wonderful gig! One client and 53 children totally pleased with my work... but only 52 parents There was one little girl (like 3 or 4 years old) that I had to refuse to paint. She had a broken rash all over her face. I told her mother that I was sorry, but I could not paint her face because of this. (Instead I painted up both of her hands and arms.) The mother was not happy. She kept saying, "It's only eczema... I'm a nurse practitioner... She just had her heart set... it's not like it's contageous...." She wound up going to the management, and for the next hour and a half I had to repeat that I would not paint broken skin for health and liability reasons. So my question to you all is this: What rules do you have in place for who you will and will not paint? Do you just have them in your contract or do you post them with your display at smaller events? And, should the occasion arise that you have to refuse service, how do you do it so as not to enrage the parent? I'd like to know how some of you handle this, because it is not a situation I would like to repeat! Thanks.

Not painting on broken skin is written right on the packages from the manufacturers.... it is for their own safety and well being as much as for others. I won't even paint with airbrush (where the tool doesn't touch their skin) on broken skin - for their own health and safety. I explain it as with broken skin we don't want to introduce anything into their blood stream or deeper layers of skin. I just present it to parents (including those in the health professions) as common sense and not worth the long term potential risk to the child.

That's a tough scenario because eczema is an auto-immune problem, not infective nor contagious. The little girl will have to deal with this issue her entire life. The other side of the equation is that broken skin is broken skin and it puts bodily fluids such as lymph in contact with your brushes and paints.

As artists who come in contact with skin, we have to make tough decisions about the risk factors involved with potential sources of infection, disease, and contamination. The truth is that if it was truly eczema, there was very little risk to you or your products. The way we "sanitize" our products also is ineffective and the lack of transmission of disease is more of a testament to the low risk of what we do than the steps we [think we] take. The paints may have exacerbated the condition, but if it's eczema, it's unlikely.

Having good policies in place such as "no painting broken skin" mean that low-risk little girls like that will get the short end of the stick, but you don't have to make those snap judgement calls in the field. Repeating to the parent that it's a blanket decision you make to protect yourself and other children can be frustrating when they understand the risk factor, but it's also the only way you have to protect yourself without diagnosing each kids skin issue - and that's not your job! You did the right thing, but I really sympathize how tough that was for you!

I won't paint on broken skin. I explain that while I keep a super clean sanitized kit I can not paint on broken skin(acne, eczema, rash, cuts, etc) as it may introduce bacteria into the openings & could cause harm to the child. Parents will cry, complaint & have tantrums, but I will not budge on this. I will also not paint anyone w/ potentially contagious diseases. I will not risk having to chuck $1000 in paint, just for a mom's tantrum. I just tell them my insurance will not cover me if I knowingly paint someone who's sick. If I paint someone w/ pink eye I will have to throw away my paint. Sorry, I can't afford that.

I honestly probably would have painted her, probably without ever commenting on the skin problem. I have a set of "disposable" brushes and sponges that I use anytime someone looks even slightly ill, has acne or suffers from a runny nose. I do one-time loading and set the utensils aside to be thoroughly washed later.

Everyone has to make these decisions based on their own comfort levels and set-ups. I know it must have been a hard call to make!

I have examples of my disclaimer on my Resources page (see the link "here" in my signature.)

I will NOT paint anyone with a skin condition of any sort (rash or otherwise!) or who appears to be ill to me... period. This MY business and I say who I will paint. I don't argue.

I just make sure my signs are up and point to them... most of the time I don't have any problems. I am not a doctor and cannot tell an allergy from a virus so I treat them all the same.

Good point Shannon.
I have painted someone who I'm pretty sure had pink eye. I was 1/2 way through painting before I notices, & had not reloaded let. I finished the design & retired the brush for the day.

I tell the parent that although my paint is safe that it may inflame the excsma as the area is already sensitive then do arms/hands whatever. I had one at market last week and she didn't complain. Sounds like a problem parent. I don't actually have my rules written out but I would argue not painting broken skin or sensitive skin is common sense.. but I always say if sense was common then everyone would have it....

I had a little guy who had it all over. (eczema) On his face, arms, legs. (his mom had it too) What then?

Water tattoo, sticker for later, party favor, anything but putting something on it (for me).

I have eczema - under control at the moment, but I wince just thinking of putting paint on any part of me that was under an outbreak.

So we're all pretty much in agreement that paining on broken or inflamed skin of any kind is a bad idea for several reasons.
1. we would never want to risk hurting a child, and painting over broken skin could potentially introduce contaminents to the bloodstream or further the irritation of the skin.
2. Should the child wake up the next morning with a worsened condition (even if it wasn't a reaction to our paints but to say, jumping in the swimming pool or sunscreen) we are wide open for a lawsuit
3. Contamination to our kit. Contageous or not, when there is broken skin we are at high risk for transfering bodily secretions because their body is trying to heal that area. (I can't believe a nurse wouldn't get that)
4. Peace of mind for the OTHER customers. If I'm a parent standing four back in line, I can't hear the actual explaination for the child's condition, in my mind you just painted a kid with the plague and I'm getting out of line.

Angie, that is a good idea to keep disposables- I could have probably sacrificed one sponge and brush for the girl ( But still, there would have been the liability issue if her skin had a reaction)- but to be honest, the mother's attitude just made me really not want to. She was trying to bully me into getting what she wanted and I did not appreciate that at all. Like I said, I had painted up both of her arms and the child was happy when she left my chair. This was just a difficult parent.

But no one has answered the question yet as to should I start posting this disclaimer at events? (I'm so excited, the venue called me back for another banquet in two weeks!) I usually just have my faces up if I'm anywhere but a festival, just to consolodate space.

if the child is happy, that is what matters.... there will always be difficult parents and the venue knows that too.

It is very clearly stated what I will and won't do on my signage, which is placed right where my line starts. No questions No discussion It is what it is Folks. If you have a problem with it...you have the RIGHT to NOT be painted or go elsewhere to another vendor (depending on the venue)

Most parents will appreciate this. There will always be those that are loud & vocal. They yell at waitresses, demand special treatment & treat face painters poorly. It's their problem, not yours.

On your line starts here sign:
While we love to paint everyone, the face painter holds the right to decline painting anyone w/ any signs of lice, illness, cuts, rashes or eye infections. This is for the protection of the client & to help prevent passing anything on to future clients. In some circumstances we may be able to paint a hand arm or shoulder.
We will also not paint small babies as they don't understand what we are doing & they have very sensitive skin(But we love to paint their mommies:-)
Thank you for your understanding!

I also have it on my sign that I will not paint children who are sleeping or unwilling.

I've never had anyone present me with a sleeping child but I thought it wise to put that in before someone did. Putting myself in the child's shoes - if they woke up and a stranger was right in their face, touching their skin, they would feel scared and violated. And if they woke up afterward, well, that's just freaky to wake up and your face is painted. And again, that feeling of violation. The child has to be aware and willing to be painted.

Geekophile wrote:
But no one has answered the question yet as to should I start posting this disclaimer at events? (I'm so excited, the venue called me back for another banquet in two weeks!) I usually just have my faces up if I'm anywhere but a festival, just to consolodate space.

I would put up a sign. Even if its just as blunt as We reserve the right to refuse service.

If you are at a festival or something you can even put something to the effect of difficult or volitile people will be escorted by security... (Althought, I am a peace maker... I would of asked for the venue people to escort her out.) I don't need to waste my time on someone that won't consider others time or anything. Then move on to the next kiddo in line. It's not your job to argue with a parent over something like this. You could of always told her that if she wished to discuss it with you at the end of the event you would, but more than likely she would of found something or someone else to complain about. In that instance the kiddo is the one that generally understands and is ok with it more than the "parent".

Shannon Fennell wrote:I have examples of my disclaimer on my Resources page (see the link "here" in my signature.)

I will NOT paint anyone with a skin condition of any sort (rash or otherwise!) or who appears to be ill to me... period. This MY business and I say who I will paint. I don't argue.

I just make sure my signs are up and point to them... most of the time I don't have any problems. I am not a doctor and cannot tell an allergy from a virus so I treat them all the same.

I will say that since I've been using an adopted version of Shannon's signs I've had less 'runny nose' kids in my chair. This leads me to believe that folks are actually reading it and following 'my' rules. Thanks Shannon!!!!

I very kindly tell the parent it is for the protection of their child, that while the paints are non-toxic for topical use they can not be used on broken skin. If I were to do that, I could lose my insurance as it is against their policy.
I don't even bring "contagion" into it.

I know it sounds like a cop out but first of all, it's true. Next, parents tend to not argue with insurance as much as they will with personal business rules.

When I have my girls out working without me I tell them to hand the parent a business card and tell the parent to contact the owner (me). It helps them get out of it.

totally agree with the disclaimer! I have a term and agreement page which I have simplified to highlight these exact points about my painting discretion. Its in print and is on display wherever I paint. All of my bookings get a copy of the terms as a part of thier contract which I stress to them the importance or reading. It is not something I take lightly. You did the right thing and the bottom line is that Eczema is an irriataion and often results in broken skin and we do not paint broken or irritated skin.
My sign also states that I will not paint anyone who cannot express thier own desire to be painted. It pains my royal neck that some parents just refuse to accept safety and consideration for others all for the sake of thier own child being painted. I love the option of being able to paint hands and arms instead! Sometimes thats way cooler!

This subject is close to my heart, and I agree with Angie - I would of painted with the knowledge of retiring the tools used and no double loading or reloading.
I know we are all protective of our kits... I get that.
But what I think you may be overlooking ( actually in the case of Shannon I don't think she is overlooking it as much as she has made the decision to not care.... which is completly her right) is that these kids live with these conditions everyday stopping them from doing things they want to do, leading them to get teased etc etc and we by saying we won't paint them are adding to this torment.
I have Psoriasis.
If you don't know what it is - it is a genetic skin condition ( meaning it is not conatgious and is contracted through your genes)
It breaks out on my skin, for different reasons, and looks damn ugly... now mine isn't bad as I manage it by not drinking alcohol and refusing to stress out as these agrevate it.... Anyway my point is that there is a lot I don't do because of it... like get a tatoo, wear a swimming costume, wear shorts or a skirt....etc etc - I have had ignorant people move away from me and refuse to touch me and say things like "gang green" or "leper"...
Sound nice to you?
It's not.
I will never EVER refuse to paint someone with psoriasis... but I'm sure you all would, as the actual condition shows itself by sections of the skin producing too much skin and flaking off or appearing as red or white marks.
I have said this before and I will stick by it. We work with the skin as our medium, it is in our best interest to educate ourselves on what is contagious and we should saty away from, and what is a safe non-contagious... if perhaps ugly skin condition.
Also and this is equally important - I know my childs skin... if I say it's ok to paint her.... who is the face painter to tell me if my childs skin will tolerate the paint of not... it's my call.
So if they have given permission to paint their child then the pressure is off us to do the right thing....
I have painted kids with what I thought was ecsma on their cheeks and got told it was wind burn.
If you keep you kit clean - none of this should bother you.... we lose dead skin constantly... so you are getting "healthy" dead skin in your paints all the time.
I'm in this business to make smiles... not make a kid with a condition feel worse. Ever.
It makes me sad to realize that when I was a kid none of you would of painted me.

I have painted a girl with ecsema as well... In fact, I didn't throw out anything. I am confident in my cleaning techniques. Her mother was more uneasy about it than her but she REALLY REALLY wanted to get a FULL face butterfly more than anything. We didn't use glitter because I thought it might make her itch a little. She was so happy.

As I said earlier, for me it's about whether or not the child is happy about it. The original poster said that the child was happy with the arm painting, that's all I need to hear.

I probably would of painted her also. Loaded the sponge once, pitched it and I have a ton of cheap rounds I keep so I may have pitched the brush also. I would of tried to work around the broken out areas, and explained to the child that I didn't want to make those areas worse. I haven't had to deal with the issues personally like Tash, I can't imagine. I am a softy for kids, especially any ones with disorders or illnesses.

I live and work/volunteer in an area where a lot of kids look like they haven't seen a bath in a week. A lot of moms don't think twice about dried snot on their faces. I know it's gross, but I just get out the wipes and clean their faces like they were my own kid, then sanitize my hands and get my disposables out. I have also worked around kids with lice at large city outreaches. Once again I load once, pitch, and sanitize. I know I may be wrong, but I can't leave a kid behind, I am a sucker for a toothless smile. I have faith that I can serve without bringing these things home.

I follow universal precautions - I do the same thing for everyone regardless of their condition.

If skin is broken, I will not apply pigment - outer layers of skin protect what is below - if I apply pigment or product and it gets into a lower layer of skin it can behave like a tattoo - and become relatively permanent. I paint healed scars, I paint flaking skin (provided it isn't broken), I only paint on acne etc if I apply liquid bandage as a barrier first.

I always thought (as I was taught this way) when face painting that the tool touches the paint once, then the skin, and never returns to the paint (till it is sanitized), so I mostly use a palette knife and palette. It was only reading here that I learned that others do it differently.

I was lucky as a child that my mother isolated many of my triggers (eczema and otherwise) - I remember birthday parties at school where everyone was eating cupcakes and milk - and I wouldn't have either (I'd be risking a hive as well as eczema reaction/outbreak). There was another child with the same "allergies" who didn't care and just ate it anyways - and suffered through the eczema reaction he had - to the point that most of his body was red oozing rash.

My legs were always a mess of a rash and I also will not wear skirts/shorts/bathing costumes and you will not see pictures of me painting a thigh of mine as there are scars on there I don't wish to see.

I do know though from personal experience that getting some brands of facepaint on an open eczema reaction can hurt - a lot - like "peel me off of the ceiling now please". I've taken years to get a reaction under control when something has gotten into it.

I've never had anyone insist or push me into painting them, I do always explain why I don't, and that typically "makes sense" to them.

I treat face painting/airbrush/tattoos the same way I treated cupcakes as a child - can we do something else that will be "just as good" (not the same, but an alternative - and yes I did get sick of rice crackers and sesame bars) and keep you safe? yes? lets do that then..... and offer water decals or painting on unbroken skin, or whatever else I can to have happy faces.....

I carry tattoos and small favours... if a child every came through the line with psoriasis to the point of their face being affected, that is what I would offer them.

With my signage and disclaimers I rarely end up having to deal with the issue as parent read it and don't bother to line up.

I will not paint broken skin... while I am sympathetic to the reasons for it, I will not paint it as I am not a medical professional able to discern whether it is 1) contagious 2) apt to be aggravated by what I do/apply. And I do not trust people saying "Oh, it's just dry skin" and then it turns out to be ringworm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been lied to lots... and ended up off work for a week because some parents insisted on taking strep throat and pink eye infected kids to a Christmas party.

My BIL has psoriasis so bad that he has weeping wounds on his legs that are about the size of golfball... so I am well aware of the condition.

Coming in a little late here, one of my first 'gigs' was working for an organization for kids with chronic health conditions and I'd have kids get in line with colds, open/broken skin, etc. I've had to say 'no' before WAYYY more times than I can count, and so I have a sign and a speech for if a parent/child gets upset with 'da rules'. I have a 'design border' that I used on my business cards, and I made a very pretty/colorful sign that says that Tamariel Paints reserves the right to not paint on someone. If I have a parent/child lose it, I go into details.

As for acne/pimples, if it's clustered into areas, I'll paint in a different area of their face. I usually say 'i can't paint a full a,b,c on you, but i can do x,y,z'. For the most part though, I've found that teens with bad acne are spectators rather than actually getting in line. Many many teens have told me 'I don't want to break out more' and instead sit there and watch me for hours...