a VERY easy to do VERY convincing scar!

a VERY easy to do VERY convincing scar!
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  • Step0_Intro.jpg
  • Step1_Materials.jpg
  • Step2a_FoldString.jpg
  • Step2b_MakeKnots.jpg
  • Step2c_CutString.jpg
  • Step3a_StretchLegs.jpg
  • Step3b_DoItAgain.jpg
  • Step4_DecideWhere.jpg
  • Step5a_PutSomeGlue.jpg
  • Step5b_SqueezeTogether.jpg
  • Step5c_Extend.jpg
  • Step5d_FinishUp.jpg
  • Step6a_Stick-a-knot.jpg
  • Step6b_CloseUp.jpg
  • Step6c_StickMoreKnots.jpg
  • Step7_CutTipsOff.jpg
  • Step8a_CanPaint-a-bit.jpg
  • Step8b_NotBad.jpg
  • Step9_There.jpg
  • Step10a_CleanUp.jpg
  • Step10b.jpg
  • Step11_AllGone.jpg
  • last photo ←
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Sadly here in Belgium there is little to no enforcement of Halloween. Say all you want about it becoming a marketing product; I like what the industry has carved the day into. Wish there were more marks of it felt around here.

Thus I thought I would make an instructable (my first) after reading of the Halloween competition:
A VERY convincing scar!


The instructable is long because I tried to present in detail. But the process itself is rather simple and short. Good luck!

WARNING 1: Keeping it on too long can have simiallar effect to wearing tight socks for a long time would have around your ankles. This can be extremely disturbing.
WARNING 2: folding too much skin is sure to increase the effects mentioned in warning #1. Try to make a ratio of size and time& the more you need to keep it on; the better you keep the amount low.
WARNING 3: In this instructable you are advised to use glue directly onto your skin. As DIY'ers, we possibly already have simply too much experience with glue on our skin. But none the less you may want to keep in mind that this glue is to remaing for some time. Your skin won't breath it's usual amount and will be in constant contact. Do NOT choose any chemical that your body would allergically react to. Please USE YOUR COMMON SENSE.
 
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Step 1Blah blah stuff...

Let's begin with a little history (Blah blah stuff... you can skip it):

Although this was a method I have completely figured out on my own& I am more than sure that a lot of people must have done something similar since it is actually such a simple method.

My childhood was a little unfortunate. And as a result of it I am scared with a great number of stitches here and there. I had enough time to examine them thoroughly. Around my first years of junior high I had come up with a way to make realistic scars. Due to my background in what they are suppose to look like. I had in fact even managed to skip an exam because my hand was stitched!

Disclaimer;
For some additional information; I was a few years younger than the rest of the class... so it should be acceptable that I was more what childish at the time.
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70 comments
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Feb 1, 2010. 12:46 AMsportguru says:
Awesome..I'd like to try it but Ican't find any suitable glue. :'(
Jul 24, 2011. 9:05 AMTardisaholic says:
Use Spirit Gum..
Oct 6, 2010. 7:38 PMkicker109 says:
Use Super Glue :P

dont... that stuff would be a biach to get off
Oct 31, 2010. 10:37 AMwins5e says:
thank you! i had no costume this year, but you gave me the best idea. and even though they don't sell super glue where i live in, and just used elmers glue? lol, it was way better than no costume. thank you so much!! :)
zom.JPG
Jun 15, 2010. 9:26 AMxFr3akSh0W says:
Heey , I was wondering if you could also use this 'technique' among legs , collarbones and face? And if no, is there another , just as simple way ? xxx Great Tutorial! Thank you a lot!
Jun 5, 2009. 6:44 PMklingonprins says:
what i do to get out of tests and stuff is get a razor, and run it over the place you want cut lightly, so that there is very little blood. wait for a night, and the next morning there will be a scab, but no real cut underneath. then proceed normally. (ps you could just push hard on the blade and really get stitches, i did that once)
Oct 22, 2009. 10:36 AMThaNorwegianDude says:
EMO!!!
Dec 1, 2009. 7:20 AMklingonprins says:
no, not emo.  i got into a fight and i did it the next day and the other guy got into teenage jail for armed assult
Dec 1, 2009. 9:52 AMThaNorwegianDude says:
so u basically cut yourself to make it look like the dude that attacked you hit you with a knife or something?
Nov 1, 2009. 4:19 PMhackerlife says:
 Hey!
I incorporated my costume this halloween (I was a corporate zombie, I also used www.instructables.com/id/Multiple_Stab_wound_Costume_for_Under_5/)
It came out looking great!
I didn't follow your directions exactly, as I had no internet connection at the time.
Also, it ripped off halfway through the zombie battles.
I'm pretty sure it tore off some skin.
It currently hurts like a b***h.
But great 'ible!!
+1
Oct 17, 2009. 3:12 PMsmartaleck135 says:

AMAZING! you heal quick all thats lef is a crease where it used to be :) im going as a skateboarding accident so using big stiches for the "do-it-yourself" look 5 stars for simplicity and accuracy (would have been 4 but someone who can cut class with this deserves credit)

Oct 25, 2008. 9:37 AMjcmuscarello says:
Or you could just stab yourself with a sharp kitchen knife and have a doctor do it for you,(it may be easier)
Mar 18, 2009. 1:01 PMReCreate says:
ah yes,but the hardest part is convincing yourself that it wont hurt!
Jan 24, 2009. 9:49 PM159Ghouls says:
this is soooooo awsom i got to try this
Jan 17, 2009. 5:37 PMfireblast_1212 says:
Sweet! Some guy at school did this and he "accidentally" pulled his "stitches" out and it started "bleeding" all over. The teacher was out so when he came back, he freaked!
Jan 12, 2009. 6:38 PMtmos540 says:
lol i did a bunch on my arm, but i just bloodied them, no stitches. before you apply the glue to an area with hair, get rid of the hair or it will stick to the hair and removing it will hurt like heck.
Jan 10, 2009. 8:27 PMbloodpact says:
really top notch. Do you have any other effect make-up instructables up?
Dec 10, 2008. 4:25 PMFather Christmas says:
i made some of these but i used superglue instead. i would suggest against it. it held wonderfully, but if you leave it on for more than a few hours(mine was on overnight) it gets all lack of blood flow-ish. and then it starts to sting. i ended up pullin it off a few hours early >_<
Nov 2, 2008. 5:10 AMgmana says:
asum scar looks real
Oct 30, 2008. 9:13 PMjbisker says:
This is a great instructable: thanks! The word you were looking for, by the way, is "verisimilitude"
Oct 27, 2008. 9:36 PMdkfa says:
Can you do a video how to do this? I can't figure out how to make the thread/stitching knot things.
Oct 28, 2008. 11:18 PMjfearnside says:
Nice technique - this is my first try - I think I need more practice but there is definitely potential here
IMG_2038_small.JPG
Oct 28, 2008. 2:27 AMPlasmana says:
That is really coo! Nice work.
Oct 28, 2008. 2:16 AMshantaram says:
Time to read some Roald Dahl...
242403242_28a187039e_m.jpg
Oct 26, 2008. 8:22 PMshantaram says:
GOOD STUFF you like my neck vampire bite
BITE.bmp
Oct 28, 2008. 2:15 AMshantaram says:
Thank you for your observation ,
242403242_28a187039e_m.jpg
Oct 26, 2008. 1:13 PMTinderbox says:
you could have gone with 'realism', but 'realisticity' carries much more charm! :P
Oct 20, 2008. 2:28 PMsueupton says:
nicely done - however, PLEASE don't suggest anyone use acetone directly on their skin - it's highly toxic and can actually be absorbed into the bloodstream through the skin - pro makeup people use liquid latex or pros-aide (instead of glue) to create this effect - unless someone has a latex allergy, it's a much safer option. The latex is easy to remove - rub hard, and it'll just roll off similar to the way rubber cement does. Pros-aide is better for durability, but requires a product like Bond-off to remove...(available at medical supply places). As a professional makeup artist, I appreciate any great effect, but safety really does have to come first...this certainly isn't meant as a criticism, since the acetone thing really isn't common knowledge. You've done a nice job with your Instructable - just thought you'd like that tidbit of info!
Oct 20, 2008. 6:13 PMsueupton says:
Of course I'm not offended! If anything, I admire your willingness and interest in researching for yourself - quite refreshing! True, latex isn't the best thing for long term hold. Medical adhesive is. Pros-aide is a high tack latex based product that tends to remain sticky (and therefore needs a light powdering on remaining exposed areas) - it's available at professional tv or film beauty supply places. I don't know where you're located - if it's a major center, you'd likely be able to find it locally. If not, you can buy online, but shipping in winter is often unavailable or tricky, since latex gets ruined if it freezes. Medical adhesive (made by Kryolan or RCMA, if looking at cosmetic supply places) is best...(it's clear and has a high bonding strength) Something equivalent may also be available at surgical/medical supply companies ...and as unappealing as it sounds, the stuff that's used to adhere colostomy bags to the skin would have to provide a secure bond...since I haven't used it, I'm unsure if it would have color to it - in which case, that wouldn't work too well. However, you could certainly find good medical/cosmetic grade adhesive removers at the local medical supply company - I believe there's one called "remove" (johnson & johnson?) - pro makeup one I like best is by Kryolan: called Al-Pur -it's a thicker cream based remover that you just apply in a thin layer and let sit for a couple of minutes as it dissolves the glue, saving skin from being rubbed repeatedly. Hope that helps.
Oct 25, 2008. 10:30 AMcheyennewills says:
I think (though I'm not absolutely sure) that tincture of Benzoin might be what you are referring to for the colostomy bag.

Tincture of Benzoin is used as a "glue" for holding on bandages. It does have some minor side effects, it will slightly stain your skin, and prolonged use will "toughen" your skin (I have heard that some guitarists will use it on their finger tips, and I do know that rock climbers use it to toughen finger tips).

In fact in terms of this Instructable, Tincture of Benzoin might work well, the slight staining effect might make the stitches look more "real".

In doing a quick web search, I did find a medical reference where there is a slight possibility of an allergic reaction to Benzoin, and the concluding remark was:
"To conclude, tincture benzoin is a safe, natural substance to increase tackiness; however, it can rarely cause allergic contact dermatitis."


As for sources, it should be available a larger drugstores or other medical supply places, and I saw that it is available from REI

Oct 21, 2008. 7:29 AMLextone says:
I don't mean to rock the boat here, but you can use acetone on your skin. Not the industrial strength stuff you get in the hardware store. Go get a bottle of Nail Polish Remover. It has acetone as its number one ingredient which makes removing glues, paint and spirit gum from ones skin a snap. Some of them even have skin softening ingredients that leave your skin soft and smooth.You can get acetone free stuff too if you are sensitive. It just takes a bit more of it for longer.

WARNING: DON'T BE A DUMMY AND USE IT AROUND EYES MOUTH NOSE OR OTHER SENSITIVE TISSUES!

Oct 23, 2008. 7:01 PMnerfer192 says:
um when i tried this the super glue gave a burning sensation....is that bad? i took it off right after it dried fully, so as not to glue my hands together.
Oct 24, 2008. 1:14 PMnerfer192 says:
well, i used krazyglue and not rubber cement. I actually did this in school with a glue stick and it worked quite well, but it is not durable at all. it hit it and it fell apart.
Oct 24, 2008. 2:49 PMplace name here- says:
cooooooooooooooooooolllllllllll Love it that is so metal
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Author:BlackDidThis
A pretty odd combination of interests and history: I graduated a little young and started lecturing in the academy before 18. Along side this I had become a lead dancer (15 years ballet) until I inj...
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