Prosthetic Makeup

Remember Wolverine, Mystique's and Cyclops makeup in X men or even Ralph Fiennes in Harry Potter? Yes, the characters totally looked their part, thanks to prosthetic makeup. It has become very common in film industries around the world, needless to mention Hollywood as well. From the movie Edward Scissorhands to one of the prosthetic experts lending his expertise for a Bollywood movie, prosthetics have now been there for quite some time. It is a comparatively recent phenomena in movies and as such different things are being tried in this field and the experts are coming up with breathtaking special effects.

What is Prosthetic Makeup?
It refers to make up which is in tune with the story of the film using prosthetic (used for providing artificial extensions to missing body parts) sculpting, casting and molding techniques for creation of advanced cosmetic effects. It is very frequently used in films these days. Sometimes due to this technique, the story is very well portrayed and justice is done to it. The most recent examples of prosthetics is X Men, where Gordon Smith was the makeup artist and Paa, (Hindi film), with Christian Tinsley.

How It is Done
The basic process starts with a concept and technique known as lifecasting, where a mold of a body part is used as a base for the prosthetic sculpting. The mold is most often than not of the face. These molds are made from skin safe silicon rubber. Earlier they were made from prosthetic alginate. This mold, which is the primary one is flexible and weak. Therefore another mold, which is hard, made usually of plaster or, bandages made of fiberglass is made over the first mold for support. After the creation of a negative mold, it is immediately filmed with gypsum for a positive mold. Then the form of prosthetic is sculpted in clay over the top of the positive. The experts as far as possible keep the edges of the clay thin. This is because clay is considered as a stand in for the final prosthetic piece.

Mold points are sculpted or carved in the lifecast for making sure that the 2 pieces fit correctly. After the completion of the sculpting, another mold is made which gives 2 or more pieces of a mold. These are positive and negative mold pieces of the face coupled with a prosthetic sculpted in. Then clay is completely removed and the prosthetic material is cast in the cavity of the mold. Some of the common materials are foam, latex, gelatin, silicone etc. This makeup is cured within this 2 part mold which creates the beginning of a make up effect, using prosthetics.

Effects of Prosthetic Makeup
For best results with this kind of effect, it is advisable not to go for cheap products. Cheap and inferior quality will give away in extreme temperature and cause skin damage. It can even dry out over time and will give a cracked and uneven appearance. As far as a flesh toned makeup is concerned, it is better to match it with the appliance. It is not imperative to match it with the skin tone of the actor. The make up should be blended right into the latex after the appliance has fully cured. This will lead to the makeup looking as natural as it can.

That's all!