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Prosthetic Application and Removal |
Any design of Prosthesis is possible from simple scars, ears, and noses, to false limbs, heads and teeth! For a Prosthetic item to work properly, it should be made specifically for individual customers, from accurate casts made from the appropriate body area. This is a time consuming and expensive process, and therefore simple items are designed to be fairly generic, made in skin Latex, to fit a wide range of individuals.
Most of the above items are available from make-up suppliers and pharmacists.
NB:- The thin irregular edges should be left on the Prosthesis. They are designed to allow the Appliance to be blended in properly and realistically with the skin. Check that the item fits you comfortably before adhering it. If some of the edges are restricting the fitting, and/or feel uncomfortable, you will have to trim them. DO NOT USE SCISSORS unless the edge is not going to be seen (such as behind ears etc). To trim edges, hold the edge of the Prosthetic firmly with one hand, just inboard of the area to be removed, and carefully pull the excess material off with the other hand. Only remove a small amount at a time, and ensure that you hold firmly to prevent tearing off more of the edge than is required. Take the time to understand exactly how the item fits so that you will be able to apply it correctly first time.
Ensure that none of the thin edges are curled or folded under each other, as this will make the blending in process later, far more difficult. For large (e.g. Facial) Appliances, using a brush, paint the inside edges (which touch the skin) with adhesive or Latex. Take special care to paint up to the very edge. Paint the corresponding body area and allow both to touch dry. Line the Prosthetic up carefully with the body area and press firmly into position, and be careful with your positioning as you do not get a second chance!
For small or complex items such as Ears, simply paint the inside edges as above, and position carefully on the relevant body area whilst the adhesive is still wet. Press gently into place and allow to dry.
After a few minutes press again firmly into place, and the Prosthesis should adhere to the skin in the same manner as above. Many Prosthetic adhesives and Latex either dry clear or change to a darker colour when dry. The drying process may be speeded up by the gentle application of heat from a hair dryer or similar warm air source.
Whatever method is being employed, when the item is in position, ensure that all the edges are fully glued down to allow the blending process to be achieved. Keep all brushes in the Adhesive or Latex during use. Latex may be washed out of brushes in cold water, as too may "Pros-Aide" or "Pro-Stik" Adhesives. Spirit Gum and other Prosthetic Adhesives must be cleaned out in the appropriate Remover. DO NOT ALLOW ADHESIVE OR LATEX SOAKED BRUSHES TO DRY! If this occurs, allow the brush to stand for an hour or so in the relevant Remover or white spirit, and brush out the softened Adhesive/Latex if necessary with a wire brush. Wash the brushes in hot soapy water and rinse in warm water.
- DO NOT ALLOW WHITE SPIRIT NEAR THE APPLIANCE. White spirit is a solvent for cured/dry Latex -
When the Prosthesis is in position, take a small piece of clean dry sponge, and stipple a small quantity of Latex around the Appliance where the edges meet the skin, adding a subtle texture as you work...Allow to dry.
To create the finished effect, the colour of the Appliance should be matched to that of the skin or vice versa. Using Greasepaint, RMG, or Foundation make-up and a piece of clean dry sponge, stipple the Prosthesis, working around the edges and onto the skin. Various shades should be used to give the image a realistic feeling of depth. Paint brushes may be employed to deal with any fine details. A dark make-up powder or eye shadow of the appropriate colour, may be used for toning using a powder brush if your RMG/Foundation colour range is limited. If possible, it is advisable to keep separate brushes and sponges for individual colours in your make-up kit. Hot soapy water or a specialist Remover may be used for cleaning colours from brushes etc.
When the colour work is complete, use a clean powder puff and press a small amount of translucent make-up powder at a time, into the greasepaint on the skin and Prosthesis to remove the tack and gloss. Keep working until the gloss has gone and there are no signs of powder. Excess powder may be dusted away with a powder brush.
If Latex was used as an Adhesive, the Prosthesis may be simply peeled from the skin. If an alternative Adhesive was used, soak around the edges of the Appliance with a piece of Cotton wool soaked in the appropriate Remover and leave for a minute or two. Next, carefully work under and around the edges with a cotton bud or paint brush soaked in the same Remover and gently work the Prosthetic Appliance off the skin. Leave the Appliance face down on a working surface. Clean off any remaining Adhesive and other make-up from the skin with appropriate Removers, and wash thoroughly with soap and warm water. The use of a good quality moisturiser may be advisable to prevent the skin from being dried out by the make-up materials used earlier. Clean the back of the Prosthesis with Remover or peel if Latex Adhesive was used, and also peel excess Latex from around the edges. Allow the item to dry out if necessary, and then de-tack the back with powder or Talc. -Store carefully for future use-
KEEP ALL MAKE-UP MATERIALS OUT OF THE REACH OF YOUNG CHILDREN -
IF ANY MAKE-UP PRODUCTS IRRITATE YOUR SKIN - REMOVE CAREFULLY, WASH THE SKIN GENTLY, AND USE AN ALTERNATIVE PRODUCT.
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