Colour-up: Is that paint safe for you?
May 29, 2007
IT is time for revenge, time for goals. The Eagles of Nigeria are about to land in our killing fields. Everyone should consider it a patriotic duty to give their all to the battle. The Uganda Cranes must win. <br>You can go to Namboole, right; you can cheer as loud as you can, right too; But how ab
By By Arthur Baguma
and Jackie Nake
IT is time for revenge, time for goals. The Eagles of Nigeria are about to land in our killing fields. Everyone should consider it a patriotic duty to give their all to the battle. The Uganda Cranes must win.
You can go to Namboole, right; you can cheer as loud as you can, right too; But how about painting yourself in our national colours to demonstrate your extra effort on patriotism? It is done all over the world. Fans paint themselves in national colours to identify with their teams.
Ancient man indulged in face painting for decoration, protection, spirituality and camouflage. Modern man tends to paint his face for costuming, theatrical performances and as a show of sports enthusiasm. Those familiar with national matches at Namboole know guys who come coloured, head to toe, in scary patterns of black, yellow and red. That is total dedication. If you think that is too much, you can paint just your face, cheek(s), arm, hair or any noticeable limb on your body. A Ugandan flag on both wrists is good enough.
But if you want to do this, you must do it safely. How healthy is this body paint we use in Uganda? Think about your comfort before you get going! If you were to do a full-body outfit, how much of it would have to be clothing and how much could be paint? Do you have any skin sensitivities? What are your plans to shower off and get dressed once the fun of running around in body paint is over?
Aldrine Nsubuga, the spokesperson of FUFA, says the painting is usually done by fans in groups. No specific person does the painting, but interested fans in different groups do it, themselves. Many, who have been painting themselves, have been using the advice of Uncle Money, who is the charismatic cheer leader. According to Uncle Money, they have been using water paint which can be easily washed off.
But Dr David Ssali, a skin consultant, says the better option is using food colours, same as those used on cakes. “Natural food colours like marigold — from flowers — are the best because they can be used without any side effects,†he says.
Ssali, who is also an expert on herbal medicine, says interested fans can access these ingredients at his clinic. “I can give those interested the safe food colours and train them on how to use them.†He can be found at Mitchell Cotts building in Kampala.
Ssali warns that oil paint should never be used. Oil paint is preserved with famoline, a chemical that can have serious effects on the body and health of a person. “Actually, famoline, which is used as a preservative in oil paints, is the same chemical used to preserve dead bodiesâ€, he adds. “It is dangerous and can affect body organs especially the sensory nerves and can also cause fainting in the extreme cases.
Water-washable paint is good but you have to first check the label to see if the paint is classified non-toxic. Most water paints are not toxic. It is safe even on children and easy to wash off.
Grease-paint is set with powder and better for the hardcore stage makeup. It is good for open air stadia because rain or sweat cannot remove it. To remove it, use a cold cream available at shops which sell the grease paint and then scrub with soap to get all the oil off your face. Great for sports events where you want the painting to stay longer.
When you are not sure about any paint, test some on your arm a day or two ahead of painting your face to check if you have any allergic reaction. Paint a tiny patch, leave it on for how long you intend to wear the face paint, then wash off and see how it does.
You can also use henna. This paint is made from the crushed leaves of the henna plant. For 5000 years, the orange to dark reddish-brown henna was used in Asia and Africa to protect, to bring luck, to ensure happiness, and as a rite of passage. The painting on the skin is safe and painless and can last 1-3 weeks. Ask in beauty clinics whether they can make colours of black, yellow and red.
Most women are familiar with hair tints. Almost every hair saloon in town is capable of dyeing your hair with the national colours. There are sprays that can be used to colour your hair temporarily.
Even when this adds an extra cost and inconvenience, you will have done it for your country. Go for it as long as you can do it safely.
and Jackie Nake
IT is time for revenge, time for goals. The Eagles of Nigeria are about to land in our killing fields. Everyone should consider it a patriotic duty to give their all to the battle. The Uganda Cranes must win.
You can go to Namboole, right; you can cheer as loud as you can, right too; But how about painting yourself in our national colours to demonstrate your extra effort on patriotism? It is done all over the world. Fans paint themselves in national colours to identify with their teams.
Ancient man indulged in face painting for decoration, protection, spirituality and camouflage. Modern man tends to paint his face for costuming, theatrical performances and as a show of sports enthusiasm. Those familiar with national matches at Namboole know guys who come coloured, head to toe, in scary patterns of black, yellow and red. That is total dedication. If you think that is too much, you can paint just your face, cheek(s), arm, hair or any noticeable limb on your body. A Ugandan flag on both wrists is good enough.
But if you want to do this, you must do it safely. How healthy is this body paint we use in Uganda? Think about your comfort before you get going! If you were to do a full-body outfit, how much of it would have to be clothing and how much could be paint? Do you have any skin sensitivities? What are your plans to shower off and get dressed once the fun of running around in body paint is over?
Aldrine Nsubuga, the spokesperson of FUFA, says the painting is usually done by fans in groups. No specific person does the painting, but interested fans in different groups do it, themselves. Many, who have been painting themselves, have been using the advice of Uncle Money, who is the charismatic cheer leader. According to Uncle Money, they have been using water paint which can be easily washed off.
But Dr David Ssali, a skin consultant, says the better option is using food colours, same as those used on cakes. “Natural food colours like marigold — from flowers — are the best because they can be used without any side effects,†he says.
Ssali, who is also an expert on herbal medicine, says interested fans can access these ingredients at his clinic. “I can give those interested the safe food colours and train them on how to use them.†He can be found at Mitchell Cotts building in Kampala.
Ssali warns that oil paint should never be used. Oil paint is preserved with famoline, a chemical that can have serious effects on the body and health of a person. “Actually, famoline, which is used as a preservative in oil paints, is the same chemical used to preserve dead bodiesâ€, he adds. “It is dangerous and can affect body organs especially the sensory nerves and can also cause fainting in the extreme cases.
Water-washable paint is good but you have to first check the label to see if the paint is classified non-toxic. Most water paints are not toxic. It is safe even on children and easy to wash off.
Grease-paint is set with powder and better for the hardcore stage makeup. It is good for open air stadia because rain or sweat cannot remove it. To remove it, use a cold cream available at shops which sell the grease paint and then scrub with soap to get all the oil off your face. Great for sports events where you want the painting to stay longer.
When you are not sure about any paint, test some on your arm a day or two ahead of painting your face to check if you have any allergic reaction. Paint a tiny patch, leave it on for how long you intend to wear the face paint, then wash off and see how it does.
You can also use henna. This paint is made from the crushed leaves of the henna plant. For 5000 years, the orange to dark reddish-brown henna was used in Asia and Africa to protect, to bring luck, to ensure happiness, and as a rite of passage. The painting on the skin is safe and painless and can last 1-3 weeks. Ask in beauty clinics whether they can make colours of black, yellow and red.
Most women are familiar with hair tints. Almost every hair saloon in town is capable of dyeing your hair with the national colours. There are sprays that can be used to colour your hair temporarily.
Even when this adds an extra cost and inconvenience, you will have done it for your country. Go for it as long as you can do it safely.