Parents Should Be Wary of Face Paints This Halloween

Posted on October 26, 2011

Parents who are dressing their children for Halloween should be aware that face paints are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, according to recent news sources.

Face paints tested at a California facility came back with positive confirmation of the presence of lead, nickel, colbalt, and chromium. Cosmetics are not regulated directly by the FDA; rather, cosmetic firms are responsible for the safety of their products.

However, a medical professional at the UCLA Medical Center has admitted that face paint once a year may not be harmful to your child.

“When used occasionally it’s probably alright,” he stated, but cited future policy change as necessary: “People kind of thought that (face paint) was pretty much innocent; it’s something that the cosmetic industry is going to need to examine in the future.”

To help limit your child’s exposure to toxins, you should avoid using acrylics or tempera paint. Try professional grade paint on the arm first to test for a reaction.

As a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, I hope you and your family are safe this Halloween. I recommend not wearing  a mask in place of face paint, as they can block a child’s vision and are often linked to pedestrian accidents on Halloween. If you or your child is injured by a cosmetic product, the product liability lawyer at our law firm urges you to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

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