Using Moulage products on your patient simulators can help to improve scenario realism and therefore learner outcomes, but can also have the unintended affect of never coming off! Today we share a recent blog post from SimGHOSTS, aka The Gathering of Healthcare Simulation Technology Specialists, by SimulationTek’s David Shablak, who shared his comprehensive red pigment stain test video on a Laerdal SimMan3G skin. This helpful guide can save your institution thousands of dollars so its a must watch for all medical simulation champions who are using moulage!
From David’s Blog Article on SimGHOSTS
Red pigments can be the worst of all pigments as far as staining, or hardest to get rid of. If you know anyone who has gotten a tattoo removed, the hardest pigment to get out is the red. For this test I left all materials on the skin for at least 24 hours. Hopefully you would never leave anything on longer, the results might change, and only for the worse! First you have to know what your manikins are made out of and what reacts, or penetrates into their skins. Laerdal 3G series is a PVC material. This is why tegaderm sticks well, and silicone build-ups like Skin Tite, or 3rd degree, do not bond to the skin permanently. With this benefit the trade off is that some materials can stain your skins. Colors other than red also stain, but red and yellows seem to be the worst in my experience.
When using makeup for daily use or moulage, two things can help ‘lock in’ a pigment from rubbing off or interacting with another layer/ color. These are barriers and sealers. Barrier products are typically put on before applying makeup to aide in the removal process and protect the skin, especially for repeated applications for something like a movie. Sealers are used after the application to ‘lock in’ pigments and give them durability and water-proof characteristics.
This is a test of several bloods and makeup materials with and without a barrier material, on a Laerdal SimMan 3G series skin. This was the result of a question in a Facebook group for Healthcare Simulation support staff. “Sim Techs” and Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialists. Some of the materials used are:
- Fun World – Haunt Blood
- PT Materials – Red Drum Blood
- PPI – Fleet Street Blood
- Smoothon- Ultimate Blood
- Kryolan – Supreme Blood
- Cutthroat Studios – Bad Blood (Liquid and Paste)
- Rob Smith – Silicone Flow Blood
- Graftobian – Blood Paste
- Spirit Halloween – Cream Makeup
- Graftobian – RMG Makeup
- PPI – Skin Illustrator – Alcohol Activated – Prime Red
- Barrier Products – Vaseline & Ben Nye Final Seal
Results from the barrier products were very surprising. Vaseline as expected protected very well, but makes putting makeup on top a little challenging. It tends to make everything just smear. Surprisingly The “AA”, alcohol activated makeup stained yellow through the Vaseline. I use Ben Nye Final Seal a lot in moulage and love it. I thought for sure it would ‘seal’ the skin and not let things penetrate right? NOPE, I was very wrong. Final Seal offered no protection.
Makeup results had interesting results as well. I have used AA makeup and love it. I teach on it and have given the ok for use on PVC Skins. Well, my heart was broken. The Prime red at least left a yellow stain on the skin. Cream and RMG came off just fine. If not with soap and water, the rest came off with 99% Isopropyl Alcohol. Red hairspray always stains! You have to protect the skin before use, and in a much larger area that you think, because of overspray.
Bloods are another one that can be tricky with this skin. My old standard, and one new player in my word performed flawlessly. PTM Red Drum had been my go to for a great blood, for a good price. I met the owner of Cutthroat studios and his Bad Blood and he gave me some to test. Nope, I’m not sponsored or influenced. I will always give you my honest answer. It worked great, and came right off. I really like their coagulated blood as well. It dried to look cool, but was a lot more transfer resistant than cheaper blood pastes. — More results via the article link below!
For the Complete Results: Read the Full SimGHOSTS Article Here!
More About David Shablak and SimulationTek
David Shablak is aCertified Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist at the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine that loves what he does, and loves to share with, and learn from others. He and his company SimulationTek build, wreck, create, moulage, and mold it! SimulationTek focuses on “the details” providing suture pads, 3D printed models, casts and molds, moulage courses, and R&D for simulation task trainers and moulage innovations. He volunteers time and materials on numerous disaster events incorporating numerous different organizations in large scale disaster events ran by the Dayton MMRS for Hospital staff, Police, Fire and EMS. He also guides and trains local moulage artists while helping to manage the Dayton MMRS regional moulage kits. He even has a new podcast about all things Sim Tech called SimGeeks!
More About SimGHOSTS
SimGHOSTS, aka The Gathering of Healthcare Simulation Technology Specialists, have shared some great resources since their 2018 meetings in the US and Australia this past summer, including dozens of new recorded sessions from those events, a new mentorship program, and helpful blog posts. With a new book about to be published, 2019 event announcements for the US, Singapore and elsewhere, it’s time to take a quick look at all the latest from the World’s only dedicated non-profit for those utilizing medical simulation technologies.
Join hundreds of Simulation Champions from around the world at our annual international hands-on training events! The “Gathering of Healthcare Simulation Technology Specialists” which will be operating its ninth year as a US-based non-profit 501(c)3 organization. The 2020 SimGHOSTS events will provide a meeting place for you to exchange ideas and network with technical peers as well as receive specialized training in the utilization of healthcare simulation technologies. You will also have opportunities to meet with simulation-based vendors to engage with the latest in healthcare education technology.
One Day SimGHOSTS-X Event
April 3rd, UTHSC Memphis, Tennessee
SimGHOSTS 2020 Annual Global Symposium
August 4-7th
Baylor University
Dallas, TX