is there any way to thin out the edges of a latex prosthetic?

[berger]

im planning on buying some latex facial prosthetics at a local halloween shop for my freddy kreuger costume for halloween. problem is, the edges on them are really thick, and im going to be cutting them in peices as well, is there anything i can use to thin out the edges of the actual prosthetic? maybe alchohol or something on a q tip or something to disolve the latex?


any help would be appriciated!

 

[bigkidbiggertoys]

I used acetone to thin the edges on a bald cap & it worked well for me.

 

[wannab]

An iron maybe?

Doug

 

[division 6]

lacquer thinner, just be careful it doesn't eat all the way through.
It goes through latex gloves in seconds.

You can also use a dremel with a sanding drum.

D6

 

[foxbatkllr]

You can use a cotton buffing wheel on your dremel also.

 

[berger]

if only i had a dremel!

 

[Darth Mule]

if only i had a dremel!

$20.00 at Wal-Mart. An investment that will last a lifetime. A dremel or similar rotary tool is probably the #1 most useful tool in this hobby. Matter of fact. I think owning one is a requirement of membership in the RPF. :lol

OMG! How did you sneak in without one?

The Batman gave me tips on this once. I believe it was a combination of Dremel with acetone or perhaps isopropyl alcohol to smooth it out. Perhaps he'll chime in.

 

[berger]

unfortunatly. it seems like having thousands of extra dollars are also a requirement of membership as well!

times are tough, especially around the holidays! im just a lowly butcher!

 

[Darth Mule]

Just think of it! You can Dremel meat! :lol

 

[usmcrice0311]

witch hazel works

 

[berger]

so just use witch hazel/acetone on a q tip and rub it on the edge of the prosthetic?

 

[BedlamX]

so just use witch hazel/acetone on a q tip and rub it on the edge of the prosthetic?

Try the witch hazel first. Much easier on the skin and does a great job. Q-tips work ok for blending, but I prefer those little foam make-up applicators for eye shadow. No little cotton fibers to come off.

Once you get it smoothed out, use some liquid latex to seal the edges. Apply it from the bare skin towards the appliance to fill in any small gaps or ridges that may still be showing. You can tint the latex with acrylic paint to match your appliance (if it is already colored). Just be aware that the tinted latex will dry much darker than it looks wet.

Have fun with the costume.

 

[berger]

i might just be reading wrong, but it sounds like your talking about doing this after ive applied it to my face?

i was wanting to do this before ive applies it, to get a smoother edge instead of a thicker one, as ill be gluing it down around my eyes... and i really dont wanna take the chance of gettin witch hazel in my eyes, dosent sound like a pleasant experience in the least.

 

[bigkidbiggertoys]

Definitely thin it out before applying the prosthetic. I also used the latex to help blend in the edges & you couldn't see the bald cap even at close inspection. Also used the soft little makeup sponge as cotton balls or q tips may end up leaving some fuzz behind.

 

[subxinu]

A dremel or similar rotary tool is probably the #1 most useful tool in this hobby. Matter of fact. I think owning one is a requirement of membership in the RPF. :lol

OMG! How did you sneak in without one?

LOL :lol

 

[frosty]

if you don't have any luck thinning it down, then use liquid latex and cotton wool to hide the edges, paint on the latex then while its still wet add the cotton wool, you can then add more latex on top, you can also shape more burns etc with this technique.

 

[BedlamX]

i might just be reading wrong, but it sounds like your talking about doing this after ive applied it to my face?

i was wanting to do this before ive applies it, to get a smoother edge instead of a thicker one, as ill be gluing it down around my eyes... and i really dont wanna take the chance of gettin witch hazel in my eyes, dosent sound like a pleasant experience in the least.

lol...by skin, I was really talking about your fingers. I always seem to get whatever I am working with all over my hands (I hate gloves while working on delicate stuff).

 

[berger]

ok guys, i tried the witch hazel, and it had absolutely no affect on it at all cry

went and picked up some lacquer thinner, and thats not working either

 

[Exavior]

Here is the "professional" method for applying and blending the edges on a thick latex or foam latex appliance.

Materials:

1. Pros-Aide - prosthetic adhesive
2. Cab-O-Sil - Thickening powder (aka Cabosil)
3. Super Solv by Telesis - For removing Pros-Aide

• You can find these materials online, or at any professional makeup shop that has effects makeup for film, theater, and television.

Main Application:

1. Using a cotton swab, apply a small amount of the pros-aide to the center line of the face (brow, nose, chin), and allow to dry and become tacky.
2. Center appliance to face and lightly press down the center of the appliance to attach it to face.
3. Working outward apply pros-aid to the skin and attach the entire appliance, leaving the edges for last.
4. Glue down the edges with pros-aid, making sure there are no wrinkles.
5. Using a makeup sponge, seal the entire appliance with 1 or 2 thin coats of pros-aide (this helps the appliance take makeup), and feather the pros-aide out onto the face in a stippling pattern. (this helps to blend the appliance into the skin)

Bondo:

1. Create "Bondo" by mixing pros-aide with cabosil to form a paste.
2. Using a pallet knife, makeup sponge, cotton swab, etc. apply the bondo to the edges of the appliance. Apply multiple thin layers, allowing each layer to dry before applying the next.

• With all steps using pros-aide, a hair dryer may be used to accelerate drying.

Final Steps:

1. When dry, pros-aide and bondo remain tacky to the touch. A liberal powdering will remove the tack before you begin applying makeup.
2. Apply a base coat of makeup to match your skin tone, and then start building up detail and colors on the entire face. (Even if the appliance will be a non-skin tone color, a base coat to match your skin means that additional layers of makeup should blend consistently on both the appliance and your skin, since both are working on the same foundation color)
3. Stipple edges of prosthetic with contrasting colors to help make the transition from prosthetic to skin vanish.

Removal:

Many makeup tutorials neglect to mention how to take the stuff off. Since pros-aide does such a fantastic job bonding prosthetic appliances to skin (there's a reason the professionals use it!) it needs to be removed with special solvents. There are many to pick from, but I'm a big fan of Super Solv, made by Telesis. It's a bit like baby oil, and does not irritate the eyes or skin.

Use a makeup removal pad (or cotton ball) and let the super solv soak into the appliance. Once the pros-aide and bondo are saturated with super solv, they will become gummy and can easily be balled up and wiped off the skin.

You can also use a cotton swab to apply the super solv where the skin and appliance are still bonded as you peel the appliance off. Don't pull hard enough to cause pain, just add more super solv and take things slowly. The trick is to take your time and let the super solv do most of the work.
​

I know this tip came a little late for Halloween, but hopefully someone will find it useful!

 

[berger]

well halloween has come and gone, i was never able to thin down the edges, and have lost my mustache to the liquid latex as well, here are some before, during, and after pictures