Skin problems

In todays blog I will be showing you infections or contagious diseases that can be passed on in the make-up industry when equipment or make-up isn't cleaned/used properly.

Bacterial Infectious Diseases

Conjunctivitis: the inflammation of the conjunctiva – the outermost layer of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids. The infection can cause a red and watery eye with sticky secretions. 

Impetigo: a highly-contagious bacterial infection of the skin, more commonly seen in school children and those who play contact sports. Causes dry, honey-coloured crusty spots with reddened patches.

 A stye is caused by the infection of a sebaceous gland at the base of the eyelash follicle, resulting in a painful red swelling that develops on the inside or outside of the eyelid. 

Fungal Infectious Diseases

Ringworm: a fungal infection that can affect the skin, scalp or nails. Athlete’s Foot is ringworm that affects the feet. Ringworm creates circular areas of dull rough skin surrounded by raised red rings.

Parasitic Infectious Diseases

Head Lice: infestation can be in egg form (known as nits) or as the adult lice. Nits attach to the hair shaft and appear as a creamy/white dot along the hair. Usually spread by head-to-head contact, which is why it creates an infestation at a school so easily as children play and have close contact. It is easily treated and the lice can be killed quickly with products from the chemist.

Scabies: a rash caused by an allergic reaction to the itch mite Often appears in skin folds, it can look like a series of dry spotty bites. Can be spread via close contact.

Good Working Practices in Makeup Include:

• Wash and dry your hands properly before you start a makeup, and again after you finish. Be seen to be washing your hands – it is good for clients to know you care about hygiene. Drying your hands is equally important – Hand sanitiser is also great to have on set, especially as hand washing facilities may be scarce.

• Always ask a client if they have any allergies or known sensitivities before you start applying the makeup. You will never know if they will react to anything, but you can take away any triggers they do know about. Always do a test patch for substances that are known to cause issues with people, like latex or henna.                                                                                             
• Don’t double dip. Double dipping means going from a product to a face then back in the product. It is easy to avoid, especially for cream and liquid products – just use disposable applicators or a spatula to remove a small amount of product, ideally to put on a palette. 

• Use disposable sponges and clean/disposable powder puffs for each client. 

• Don’t keep makeup beyond its shelf life. If looks or smells funny, throw it away straight away.

• Sterilise all brushes and tools after use. For example, use isopropyl alcohol to disinfect makeup brushes. If you haven't used a brush in a while, give it a quick clean with your other brushes.

• Be extra careful when a client has a skin, eye or mouth infection. Only use disposable (single use) makeup applicators that are immediately disposed of after use and don’t double dip. The makeup artist must wash their hands and use hand sanitiser after completing the makeup before moving on to another client, or touching their own face/skin/hair.

• Clean and sterilise anything dropped on the floor. Don’t pick that brush up and carry on using it. All the germs and other bits will be on that and you will be applying that to someones face. (A big NO!)