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In the picture above the plaster has been applied in large strips over the back of the head, plaster bandage ropes are applied horizontally to build the integeral strength. There should be two layers on the outside edge, one layer to fill the back, 1 rope down the back of the neck and 2 beside with bandage strips over the top. 

The plaster on the back cannot go over the shoulders completely or too far on the head as it will not come off. The plaster bandage is folded in layers, the folded edge is the edge you want facing forward this helps to keep the plaster neat and tidy. 

A bald cap is applied to prevent the hair from getting stuck in the alginate and plaster once applied, the black line is aqua colour which is used to indicate the hairline which will later transfer onto the alginate and plaster. Since there is no detail that needs to be picked up on the back of the head applying alginate is not necessary. 

Full Head Cast With Alginate

Mould release is applied over the leading edge to prevent the front plaster bandage from attaching to the back making it impossible to remove the plaster therefore trapping the model. The mould release is also applied over the bald cap so the front and back can pop apart easily. 

In the picture above you can see the ropes that have been covered with plaster, the reason a layer of plaster bandage is applied over the ropes is to hold the ropes on as they can fall off easily when the plaster is dry. 

Here you can clearly see the placement of the bandage, the bandage is not that far forward. The leading edge should be far back in order for the plaster to be removed as it may get stuck. The edge is tidy and clean which is beneficial when the front is done. 

Above the alginate has been applied over the nose area when the rest of the alginate has been applied while focusing on keeping the nostrils clear for the model. It is important at this stage to keep the model reassured as this is when the model can become uncomfortable and unsettled. 

The alginate is applied over the top of the head and around the edges of the face before the centre of the face has alginate applied. This is to keep the nose area free from alginate for as long as possible. Some makeup artists start by applying the alginate over the nose area first so that it is out of the way and more precision can be used to build up the nose with alginate successfully. 

Mould release has already been applied over the hairs on the face before the alginate is applied. For a full head cast 1 bag and a half of alginate should be enough. Once the water has been added to the alginate it is important to get the alginate wisked and applied to the face as soon as possible before it begins to set. 

Above the plaster bandage has been applied all over the front section, the piece of plaster bandage that sits iver the septum is left until the very end. The ears have been left also because they are not needed for now and would more than likely be cast as seperate pieces therefore would not be moulded this way however plaster bandage can be applied if they are for some reason needed on the head cast. 

In the above picture the front plaster bandage has been applied in thick folded sections around the perimiter of the head working inwards. 

The excess alginate that had gone further than the back section and below the needed line with a blunt knife just to tidy up the the head cast in order to plaster bandage the front section. 

The previous picture shows black aqua colour being applied with a brush over the join of the front and back sections, these are called registration marks and they are used so that the two parts can be slotted together quickly after they have been removed from the model. 

Ropes are applied on the front section as well as the back, there should be three ropes on the front section covered in a folded piece of plaster bandage. 

In the picture above you can see that the piece of plaster bandage has been applied down the nose but again staying clear of the nostrils, once the front and back parts have been removed from the head the nostrils are then covered in plaster bandage or superglue to hold the shape and not crush the nose before they are filled. 

To keep the alginate nose in tact superglue can be applied over the alginate that has no plaster bandage on it as this will prevent the nostrils from being distorted. A super thick alginate can then be mixed and forced up the nostrils, with plaster bandage applied over the top. Plaster bandage is also applied over the join of the two plaster shells. The mould can then be swirled with plaster to create a hollow plaster head cast. 

Here is the front of the headcast once removed from the model the face can be clearly seen and there appears to be no bubbles or air pockets at all over the main detail of the face. 

The picture above shows the front and back sections being removed fromt he model, during this process the lights can be turned down so that the models eyes can adjust slowly to the sudden light after being inside the head cast. 

Full Head Cast With Casting Silicone

The plaster bandage is applied in exactly the same way as the previous alginate head cast, the front edge must remain tidy and clean. Again the plaster bandage must not be placed too far forward on the head. 

Mould release is applied over the eyebrows and over the bald cap and any other areas where hair is present. 

When casting with silicone the the bald cap must be cap plastic rather than latex because the silicone sticks to it. the bald cap edges do not need to be seamless because the ridge can be rasped away after the cast has been made, 

 

Around two kilos of casting silicone is required for a full head cast. The picture above shows the head cast with two layers of silicone applied, mould release has been put onto the leading edge so the shell can be removed quickly and safely. 

The two parts blue and pink coloured casting silicone are mixed together until they form a purple colour and there is no visible swirled pink or blue colour. Unlike the alginate the silicone sticks to itself therefore can be applied in layers rather than all at once under a time pressure. 

Here the ropes have been applied and the back is finished, The edge is smooth, the plaster that has gone onto the models skin can just be washed off with warm water afterwards. 

The registration marks are applied the same as the alginate head cast over the join so they can slot together after removal. 

Here the plaster bandage has been applied over the whole of the front, the nostrils have continually been kept clear and will not be tempered with any more until the shell has been removed from the model. 

The blocks that have been applied onto the head cast are called keys, they are used so that the mould locks into place. These are made by mixing the silicone casting together and poured into ice cube trays and left to set so that they are hard cubes of silicone. They must be attached when the silicone on the face has started to set and became sticky in order to hold them up and in place. 

Here the cast is being removed from the model carefully, the front and back should pull of easily if enough mould release has been applied, 

Here is the inside of the face cast with the hairline transferred, silicone is often used instead of alginate because it can be fiberglassed straight away and is a shorter process.  

It is important to inform the model of exactly what is happening during the removal process as they must be relaxed and fully aware as it can feel quite bizarre for someone that has never had a head cast before. 

For a full head cast especially the first attempt there needs to be around four poeple minimum to help, one person used entirely for keeping the nostrils clear. 

 

For a successful life cast communication and preperation are vital. It is important to be constantly asking if they are ok and comfortable whilst keeping an eye on their body language as they may be anxious. Being serious and calm about the process may aid in calming the model. 

 

For alginate a clean bucket is needed to mix it in, a bowl of warm water for plaster bandage. and a couple of bowls of warm water to wash hands in throughout the process. 

 

Dental alginate should not be used nor should fibergel be used as it has flock in it which will irritate the model, sticking to natural alginate and also it is important to be careful where the alginate is bought from. 

 

Nivea hand cream can be used instead of vaseline for a mould release, this should also be applied on the eyebrows, eyelashes and over the bald cap against the hairs to get right to the root. 

 

Using zinc oxide tape instead of gaffa tape as it will not effect the skin when attatching the bin bag. 

 

Aqua colour mixed with water is used to draw the hairline onto the baldcap to transfer onto the mould to give indication of the hairline. 

 

A tube of superglue to preserve the nose area once the mould has been made. 

 

If using silicone would use plastic bald cap and the silicone would be applied in two layers. 

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