Moulage of the Month: Eye Tear Injury

Moulage of the Month is sponsored by Nasco.

Time:

3-4 minutes (does not include dry time)

Skill Level:

Intermediate

Supplies: (Shop www.moulageconcepts.com for all your moulage needs)

Silifix Gel Set

Blood, slow-flow or moulage gel

Setting powder, translucent

Color pencil, Red

Color stick, Red

Color stick, Blue

Color stick, Ivory

Flesh-tone wax

Equipment:

Tongue depressor or palette knife

Blush brush

Fan Brush

Makeup sponge

Cotton swab

Blow dryer (or air dry)

Technique:

Using separate instruments or tongue depressors, remove a large amount (approximately the size of a quarter) of Silifix Gel Set A & B in equal portions, and place on palette board to activate.  To ensure long-term integrity of both products, use separate utensils to remove product from each container prior to combining on palette board, as the combination of products creates a chemical reaction that readies it for use and causes it to solidify. See Figure 1.

Using a utensil, begin stirring the Silifix Gel A & B together until fully mixed, and both colors have blended to light flesh tone. See Figure 2.   

To create “faux eye lids,” use your utensil to lift half the Silifix mixture from the board, and place in the hollow area or pocket directly under the eye.  Working quickly, spread the Silifix outward, creating a layer of gel approximately ½ inch wide, two inches long and 1/8 inch thick that covers the lower perimeter of the eye.  Lightly smooth the edges of the silifix outward, thinning the material and blending it into the simulators skin. See Figure 3. 

Using the same technique, apply the second half of the silifix to the upper eye along the brow bone, and spread the mixture outward to blend into the surrounding skin. 

Use a blow dryer on low-cool and gently dry until set. See Figure 4.

Using a makeup brush or sponge that has been dipped in powder (gently tap edge of brush to container to release the excess powder), brush the surface of the Silifix until surface is matte or no longer shiny. See Figure 5.  

Using a makeup sponge that has been dipped in red makeup, lightly apply colorant to the surface area of the Silifix to create skin reddening. See Figure 6.

To create eyelid tears, use your fingers to apply pressure to the edge of the Silifix so as not to remove the lid from the skin. Using your free hand, gently tear the center edge of the Silifix downward.  Keep the lower portion of the Silifix intact on the skin. Tear only enough to create a flap.  Using the same technique, create tears in the upper silifix. See Figure 7.

Using the red makeup pencil, apply color to the exposed (flesh tone) skin area under the skin tears. See Figure 8.

Using a makeup brush or cotton swab that has been dipped in powder, sweep powder over the underside of the tears until surface is matte or no longer sticky. See Figure 9.

Create wound depth.  Remove a small amount of flesh-tone wax about the size of a BB, and roll it into a ball.  Using the end of paint brush, push the wax under the folds of the tear, and press lightly in place to "glue" protruding skin flaps outward and create three-dimensional wound depth.  Using a slow flowing blood or moulage gel, apply blood to the inside crevices of the skin tears. See Figure 10.

Create wound depth and contrast by lightly brushing white makeup on the outside (upper) edges of the skin tears. See Figure 11.

Quick Fix:

Use Nasco mannequins to simulate patient vital signs and responses when creating training scenarios.

Dispatch:

Medic 12, Respond Code 3 to 155 Industrial Park Way.  Nearest cross street, Oliver and Hwy 5.  Unknown Injuries.  1615 Dispatch clear.

On Scene:

Using a makeup sponge, apply white makeup to the face of simulator, blotting lightly to create mottling and blending well along jaw line.  Create a large skin tear that starts on the lower cheek, over the eyes and into the hair line from a box of metal pieces that fell from an upper shelf.  Using a large paint brush, apply blood product to hair, clothing and surrounding area.   

Cleanup and Storage:

Carefully peel the eye injury from eye of simulator. Using a gentle upward motion, lift the edges of the wound upward away from the skin, and continue to peel away until all Silifix has released.  Using a soft, clean cloth or makeup remover, remove any remaining product residue from the simulators skin. 

Bobbie Merica is a medical/trauma moulage expert, author and CEO of Moulage Concepts, an nationwide moulage company specializing in training, supplies and education.  Utilizing best practice techniques, Bobbie's teaching methods have simplified the complex, enabling everyone to create moulage that is quick, cost effective and convincing.  Get her free tutorial blog with expert weigh-in at www.moulageconcepts.com/blog and join us in creating moulage that looks, feels, sounds, and even smells like the real thing!  www.moulageconcepts.com