Basics of Adhesives for Prosthetics
In special effects makeup, two main types of adhesive are used: water-based
acrylic adhesives and silicone-based solvent adhesives. The two systems have different areas of use and
suit different materials and levels of stress.
Water-Based Acrylic Adhesives
These adhesives are especially suited to latex, foam latex, gelatine and silicone prosthetics with
a cap-plastic layer. They are flexible, pleasant to work with and usually cheaper than silicone adhesives. However,
they are more sensitive to sweat and moisture and are not ideal for direct
silicone-to-silicone bonding.
Typical products:
• Pros-Aide
• Beta Bond
• Aqua Fix
• Kryolan Prosthetic Adhesive
• Ben Nye Prosthetic Adhesive
Silicone-Based Solvent Adhesives
Silicone adhesives offer extremely strong adhesion and are ideal for high-stress areas such as the mouth, eyes
or mobile areas of the face. They stand up far better to moisture, sweat and long shooting days.
The main drawback is the higher price.
Typical products:
• Telesis 5 / 7/ 8/ 9
• Snappy G
• Bluebird Silicone Adhesive
Removers
To remove prosthetics gently from the skin, suitable removers should be used. Many products
are based on isopropyl myristate or special solvents for makeup adhesives.
Popular removers:
• Super Solv
• Pros-Aide Remover
• Ben Nye Bond Off
• Kryolan Adhesive Remover
Application Tips
Adhesive can be applied with brushes, sponges or cotton swabs. For smaller prosthetics,
cotton swabs work especially well, as they allow precise work and can be disposed of quickly. Large areas
are easier to work with using brushes or sponges.
A common beginner's mistake is to place prosthetics onto adhesive that is still wet. Many adhesives must
first dry to the touch before they develop their full bonding strength. Pros-Aide, for example, turns transparent and
tacky once it is dry enough.
With silicone adhesives, the solvents evaporate first. The actual bond then forms. The more firmly
the prosthetic is pressed down, the better the adhesive bonds with the skin. Body heat can
further strengthen the bond.
Important note
Areas with a lot of movement, moisture or high stress usually benefit from silicone-based adhesives.
For lighter applications or beginners, water-based acrylic adhesives are often the simpler and cheaper
choice.
