Moulage of the Month: Industrial Response, Scalding Burn

Skill Level

Beginner

Time Frame:

1–2 minutes

Ingredients

• Latex, clear (see tip for latex free option)
• Wax
• Setting powder, translucent
• Cream make-up, red
• Cream make-up, flesh
• Glycerin

Equipment

• Make-up sponge
• Blush brush
• Tongue Depressor
• Palette board

Technique:

Using tongue depressor, remove a large amount (approximately 1 tbsp.) of wax from the container. Pressing the wax firmly against clean, dry (shaven) skin, deposit the wax using a quick, firm swipe. See Figure 1.

Creating the skin detachment pattern: Using your fingers or tongue depressor, spread the wax over the skin to create a large, approximately 5" x 5" inch oblong shaped pattern that is a 1/4" thick. Using your tongue depressor or wax tools, begin blending the wax along the edges, outward, around the perimeter, to create a feathered edge that blends into the natural skin. (Surface will feel thick and will appear uneven in places.) See Figure 2.

Using the latex, lightly brush the entire surface of the built up skin piece and surrounding area to set the wax and create a seal. See Figure 3.

Remove a small amount of flesh make-up and place on palette board. Using your make-up sponge, blot the make-up several times to soften and place over the surface of the dried latex. Apply additional flesh tone make-up as need to cover the wax/latex area. Deglaze and set the skin: Using a blush brush that has been dipped in translucent setting powder, set the latex by gently brushing powder over entire wound area. See Figure 4.

Locate the top of your desired burn area. (The skin will detach at the top of the burn, the detachment piece- or skin folds will come to rest at the bottom of the burn.)   Working from the top of the burn, move into the wax area, approximately by one inch, to create a "lip" or rim. Using your fingers or round wax tool, create the skin detachment/folds by scraping your finger through the latex and wax, downward, in long streaks toward the bottom. Carefully remove your finger from the fold and begin again, from the top, next to the opening the wound opening. (Continue process until you have created a large opening with your natural skin showing through. (Note: keep the latex/wax perimeter in place to highlight the skin detachment.) See Figure 5.

Create burn depth: Using a make-up sponge that has been dipped in red make-up, lightly coat the inside perimeter of the skin detachment, along the inside edges and gently under the skin folds.

Dispatch:

Medic 15, Respond Code 3 to 1741 Lincoln Steel Mill. Unknown injuries. 1305 Dispatch clear.

On Scene:

Near a ruptured steam pipe that has been turned off and slowly dripping water on the floor:  

Place simulator on the floor, eyes closed and unresponsive. Using a make-up sponge, apply red makeup to the face, neck, torso, arms and back of hands of simulator.   Using a makeup sponge, lightly apply skin reddening, blisters and scalding burns to face, neck, chest, arms and torso of adult simulator. Create beads of steam on the skin by applying a light mist of water to the exposed skin, clothing and hair.  

Use in conjunction with:

• Abrasions
• Fresh bruising
• Blisters
• Hematoma

Cleanup and Storage:

Gently remove blisters and scalding burns from skin of simulator. Using a soft clean cloth or make-up remover, remove product residue from the simulator's skin.

Bobbie Merica is a medical/trauma moulage expert, author and President 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!