Insights into Health Risks of Face Paint Application to Opera Performers: The Release of Heavy Metals and Stage-Light-Induced Production of Reactive Oxygen Species

Abstract

Face paints used by opera performers have been shown to contain high levels of heavy metals. However, whether frequent exposure, via dermal contact and inadvertent oral ingestion, results in occupational diseases is unknown, as is the potential exacerbation of toxicity by high-intensity irradiation from stage lights. In this study, we examined the release of Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn from 40 face paints and the consequent health risks posed by different practical scenarios involving their use. The results showed that the in vitro bioaccessibility (IVBA) of Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn in the tested products was, on average, 7.0, 5.5, 19.9, and 7.9% through oral ingestion and 1.1, 2.2, 1.6, and 1.2% through dermal contact, respectively. Stage light irradiation significantly increased the IVBA associated with dermal contact, to the average of 4.8, 34.9, 5.7, and 1.9% for Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn, respectively. The increase was mainly due to the light-induced generation of reactive oxygen species, particularly hydroxyl free radicals. The vitality and transcriptional response of 3D skin models as well as a quantitative risk assessment of skin sensitization indicated that dermal contact with face paints may induce predictable skin damage and potentially other skin diseases. Long-term exposure to face paints on stage may also pose a non-carcinogenic health risk. The demonstrated health risks to opera performers of face paint exposure should lead to strict regulations regarding the content of theatrical face paints.

Photoaged Tire Wear Particles Leading to the Oxidative Damage on Earthworms (Eisenia fetida) by Disrupting the Antioxidant Defense System: The Definitive Role of Environmental Free Radicals

“…As reported previously, the exogenous chemicals absorbed by the epidermis could induce the production of ROS, resulting in the disturbance of pigment metabolism. 55,56 Another process that may induce intestinal tract damage is mechanical injury, which may be caused by the sharp edges of the original TWP (Figure 1a). Given the limited alteration in TWP shape and size after photoaging, the exacerbation of intestinal pathological damage could be primarily attributed to chemical substances rather than mechanical injury.…”

“It is hard to remove from my eye”: Design Makeup Residue Visualization System for Chinese Traditional Opera (Xiqu) Performers

“…There were other manifestations of skin damage, such as seborrheic dermatitis, in 73 % of the performers. Wang et al [75] conducted a questionnaire survey in which 259 Xiqu performers participated, and 53% of them reported skin diseases like skin erythema and dermatitis because of the long-term use of face paint. Besides, The condition of Xiqu's skin may get worse over the years of the performer's career.…”

“…Based on the reports and surveys mentioned above, we can find that stage performers, especially Xiqu performers do have potentially serious skin problems. Despite many studies have focused on how to lessen the toxicity of cosmetics from a chemical and medical perspective [75][76][77], there is currently little attention paid to the skincare of stage performers, especially Xiqu performers, in the HCI community.…”

“…However, face paint consists of various types of heavy metals [5,10,16], and the long wear of face paint is extremely harmful to the skin [74]. It is usually used by Xiqu performers for about a quarter of the year on average [75]. Aside from the necessity of the performance, wearing make-up for a long time can also be due to incomplete makeup removal, which might lead to skin problems such as pore clogging, increased oil secretion, skin allergies, and acne vulgaris [38].…”