LATEX

Another versatile material can be used straight from the tube for working directly onto skin or it can be moulded and used in prosthetics. Surgical adhesive, like that usually used for sticking false eyelashes, can also be used for small scars. It is similar with plastic materials.

MAKING A WOUND OR A SCAR ON SKIN

Small wounds and scars can be made directly onto the skin :

- Rub some barrier cream into the skin.

- Mark the wound or scar with an eye or lip pencil.

- Apply latex or plastic to the area from the tube or with a modeling tool

- Smooth the edged into the skin and model it as it dries.

- Apply make-up as necessary and powder. The latex will look smooth and shiny, as does a scar.

- If the required effect is a new wound, additions such as tissues, cotton wool and blood effects can be added to the drying latex. Even stitches can be added by tying knots in dark, thick cotton, cutting the thread either side and placing them in the latex.

- The skin can be made to appear as if it is peeling by lifting the edges of the latex. Blisters can be made by making a hole in the latex and lifting it to form a bubble

- Cornflakes and other breakfast cereals make excellent scabs and grazes.

Latex is also used for manufacturing pieces such as bald caps. The latex is painted onto a plastic block, allowed to dry and built up in layers, leaving the outside edges very fine to blend into the skin.