a VERY easy to do VERY convincing scar!

Step 11 Everything has to come to an end.

Well even real stitches have to come off at some time!

I was sort of disappointed when mine were taken off. I was so looking forward to walking around without the bandages and a Frankenstein look (yes I was an interesting child).

You can just pull it apart if you wish to. I doubt you can do too much damage.
But if you have any doubts; you would be better off using acetone (nail polish remover) as it tends to dissolve just about any glue you would possibly be using.

Here I just ripped it off:

EDIT (Acetone usage):
Being correctly warned through SueUpton that I should not advise people to use Acetone as an agent to remove the glue... I've researched and found countless reliable/serious sites stating acetone for removal of glue. But the BIG finds were those of glue brands such as superglue, gorilla glue and miracle glue advising to use acetone. And [http://www.manchestercitysch.org/centraloffice/MSDS/Loctite%20(Duro)%20%20Super%20Glue%20Remover%20-%20Henkel%20Consumer%20Adhesives.pdf Henkel] had a particular product with 86 percent acetone in it.
I have also found out that medically acetone is used for pain treatments and orthopedic castings. Thus I can not reason to rule out the advise.

So was she wrong? Absolutely not!
Acetone can be very toxic. And I would appreciate that in her line of business (as I get it she is professional a make-up artist) the constant usage of the product would present serious damage.

Thus as much as I can not rule it out I would feel it correct to state that you SHOULD use it with caution.
There are apparently many alternatives including non-acetone nail polish removers found in pharmacies.

Thank you SueUpton for the heads-up here.

Comments

[sueupton]

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!

[BlackDidThis]

Hmmm thats very important information about acetone.

Mind I look into that first and edit accordingly?
Please do not get offended; I truly do not wish to insult your profession nor your knowledge.
It's that I would like to get some background on it first.

As for the latex... well latex adhesives (a version of contact glues) tend to work well. But with the latex I have used to date it held the two ends very poorly. Might be that it lacks quality. But in the end I don't advise latex for this in particular.
On the other hand I have had wonderful results in creating wrinkles with it.

I guess Pro-aide should be something I should look for at some time. Is it something found commonly? Or does it require postal ordering and etc?

Thank you very much for the input Sue.
It is much appreciated

Black

[sueupton]

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.

[cheyennewills]

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

[BlackDidThis]

I have now edited this step in accordance to my very short research with hopes that people will choose wisely on what to do in accordance to the amounts and circumstances. Thank you again

[Lextone]

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!