Rigid Collodion - How To Scar, also called "Scarring Liquid", is a viscous, yellowish substance widely used in theatrical makeup special effects to simulate shapes of wounds and scars.

It's particularly popular for rendering The Joker cheek scars. It works by wrinkling the skin as it dries, leaving a puked area very similar to healed scars.

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Rigid Collodion – How To Scar, also called “Scarring Liquid”, is a viscous, yellowish substance widely used in theatrical makeup special effects to simulate shapes of wounds and scars.

It’s particularly popular for rendering The Joker cheek scars.

It works by wrinkling the skin as it dries, leaving a puked  area very similar to healed scars. Colors can also be used to simulate a fresh wound.  It’s usually applied with a brush in multiple coatings, each subsequent layer reinforcing the effect by deepening the scar.

Rigid Collodion is a solution of pyroxylin (nitrocellulose, or soluble gun cotton) in acetone and alcohol. As a consequence, it’s extremely flammable and potentially irritating. It must be handled in absence of ignition sources or excessive heat, in a well ventilated area, and caution must be taken to avoid inhalation of the fumes or contact with the eyes. It should be stored in a cool place, out of reach from children.

Before application on an extend area, it must be tested on a small spot of skin to evaluate allergic reactions or possible irritation. Removal instructions can be found here.

Collodion, in its flexible form, has several other usages, including protection and healing of actual wounds, acting as a plaster with constriction effect. It’s also widely used as “glue” for ECG/ECCM electrodes, and was the base of the first automobile lacquer paints and the dry plate photographic process.

There have been consumer reports of effectiveness of the rigid form in the reduction of verruca’s and warts, but there is no medical record confirming the information.

Rigid Collodion is mainly produced by two brands, Mehron (US) and Kryolan (Germany), and is widely available online and in makeup / costumes / Halloween shops. We have compiled a list of major resellers in the US, UK and Australia which can be found here.

Rigid Collodion will allow you to achieve a very realistic healed scar effect for a prank or , combined with an heavy makeup, obtain a spectacular theatrical effect suitable for an Halloween mask for example.

The Scarring Liquid will be applied directly with a small brush on very clean and dry skin, allowing for a maximum shrinking effect and a long lasting adherence.

]]> Rigid Collodion will allow you to achieve a very realistic healed scar effect for a prank or , combined with an heavy makeup, obtain a spectacular theatrical effect suitable for an Halloween mask for example.

The Scarring Liquid will be applied directly with a small brush on very clean and dry skin, allowing for a maximum shrinking effect and a long lasting adherence.

Good results are obtained by preparing the surface with rubbing alcohol. This is essential in areas where the skin is likely to ply, as cheeks, elbows and knees, to limit the risks of peeling.

To enhance the effect, you can first draw a thin pink line as demonstrated in this video. Effect will be increased by additional layers, up to 10 if needed, but remember to allow the previous coat to dry before to apply the following one.

A very good technique is to add color in the middle of the scar between layers, as it will not affect the adherence on the skin of the first layer. Pink and light colors will give the impression of a fresh scar, darker will look more than an older one.

Resources: Teampixie Tutorial, HanYaan’s Tutorial, ToyBox Tutorial.

Be careful to not put any Rigid Collodion in your eyes, and avoid areas too close from them. In any case, it’s good to try the substance on a very little area of skin to check for any incompatibility. Also, don’t use scarring liquid on zones containing hairs (or shave them), as it may result in a painful removal.

Once you have achieved the required shape and depth, you can play with makeup and colors to give some shadowing and highlighting for increased realism.

Burns effects can also be achieved by applying and modeling the substance on a large area of skin, but I would not recommend it as it is potentially painful and irritating for the skin.

Removal instructions can be found here.

Enjoy!

Rigid Collodion should peel off easily after one day, taking with him the top layer of dead skin (epidermis).

It's not recommended to use the Scarring Liquid several times in a row on the same area, as it will come off with living skin and slightly damage it. It's usually a safe practice to wait three days between applications.


]]> Rigid Collodion should peel off easily after one day, taking with him the top layer of dead skin (epidermis).

It’s not recommended to use the Scarring Liquid several times in a row on the same area, as it will come off with living skin and slightly damage it. It’s usually a safe practice to wait three days between applications.

Eventually, it can go away by itself too easily if the covered skin plies a lot, or hasn’t been cleaned thoroughly before application, or if your skin gets oily / moist fast.

When using on the cheeks, avoid to smile! That’s why so serious….

Obviously, the more substance you have applied, the more difficult removal will be, and you may want to use solvents to ease the operation.

The special remover isn’t really needed as spirit gum remover and light acetone solvent (nail polish remover) should do the job. Baby oil should be ok also, or at least it will ease the removal.

If you leave your scar on for more than one day, expect your skin to keep a mark for a couple of days afterwards.

Rigid collodion can be purchased online from the main US manufacturer, Mehron, via their dedicated product page.

If you wish to find a shop next to you, or for special shipping requests, we have compiled a list of resellers of both Mehron and Kryolan products.



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Rigid collodion can be purchased online from the main US manufacturer, Mehron, via their dedicated product page.

If you wish to find a shop next to you, or for special shipping requests, we have compiled a list of resellers of both Mehron and Kryolan products.

Most popular websites include :

www.halloweenexpress.com (US)
www.mooncostumes.com (US)

www.donshobbyshop.ca (CAN)
www.hollynorth.com (CAN)

www.screenface.com (UK)

For a list of over 50 resellers in UK, US, Canada and Australia, with detailed contact information’s and direct product page links, please download our PDF chart.