Body painting is as old as history itself. It has been practiced by cultures worldwide for centuries. It was used by many tribal communities during times of war to frighten enemies and has been used over the years as ways of enhancing one's appearances for performances on stage as well as in film.

Liquid latex has become a mainstay with makeup artists over the world for use in film. It is used to create looks from the sublime to grotesque for film makers. More recently liquid latex has become a common aid in body painting for everyday people that like to practice the art of body painting. It is a fluid like material that can be painted directly onto the skin and when dried can be applied in different colors and multiple layers to create even outfits that can be worn in public.

Below are some good tips to follow if you want to use liquid latex for body painting.

Always consider allergies if you are going to use liquid latex. Rubber and latex allergies are not uncommon so it is important to make sure your model doesn't have an adverse reaction to it's use. Begin by putting a small amount of the liquid latex on a small patch of skin and allowing it to dry. After it dries remove the liquid latex patch and look for redness or skin irritation before moving forward. It is common for a model to have some slight itching sensations as the skin begins to breath under the latex coating but persistant irritation or itching is a sign that the model may have an allergy to the product.

As with any type of paint material, liquid latex will stick to almost anything. Bear this in mind when setting up to use it. The painter should wear old clothes and the area where you intend to paint should be protected with a drop cloth or painter's cloth to make sure you don't make a mess on something you don't want painted.

As the liquid latex begins to dry your model will begin to feel cold so try and keep your work area warm. Liquid latex contains small amounts of sulfur and amonia so make sure your work area is also well ventilated. One way to avoid the affects of the fumes from the liquid latex is to open the container and let it breath for a short time before you begin to use it.

Body hair can become a problem when painting someone with liquid latex. One way to avoid any problems with hair is to either shave or trim the hair before you begin. If trimming or shaving isn't an option then use a liberal amount of any type of skin lotion and allow it to saturate the skin before you begin. The use of the skin lotion will also aid in removal of the latex skin although this isn't necessary due to the loosening affect skin perspiration has on latex coating.

Applying liquid latex is much like painting. You can use a painter's brush up to 3" if necessary for larger areas and a small foam brush seems to work well for smaller areas with edges. Always apply the liquid latex in even coats and allow it to completely dry before moving on the the next coat. Three or more coats usually provide a nice full coverage. Hair dryers can be used to help in the drying process but make sure you don't allow any body parts that are painted to touch each other during the drying process because the latex will stick to itself and rip when your model moves.

Following some simple rules will ensure safe use of the liquid latex:

* Use the liquid latex in a well ventilated area * Never apply liquid latex close to the eyes * Keep out of the reach of children * Do not use if the model has hypersensitive skin or is allergic to latex,rubber or sulfur * Never apply liquid latex to any type of open wound

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