Moulding the Face

When I initially tell people what is involved with facecasting it can, not surprisingly, put some off. Some people find it meditating and relaxing and it has been known for some to even fall asleep. It’s important to make the casting as pleasant as it can be without causing any distress.

Unlike a hand or foot, casting a face means that you obviously have to breathe which can create problems when your face is covered in alginate.

There are several different solutions for this problem. The one that I have chosen for breathing purposes involves placing two cut down straws up the client’s nose which are held in by Blu-Tac. The Facecast can be done without using straws and letting the client breathe out sharply through the nose to clear the alginate away. This is easier if the client is used to being lifecast, but unnerving if not. This is why I use the straw application. I also place Vaseline at the bottom of the blu-tac and sides of the straws. This makes it easier to extract when done.

If you are wearing any ear-rings or contact lenses it is best to remove them, along with make up. If you have a heart condition or get claustrophobic then the facecasting will not be suitable for you. If you have a cold or think you may sneeze then please advise me so that we may reschedule.

If you are male and have a beard it is best to have it trimmed first, Vaseline is then applied to make it easier to extract. The hair on top of your head will be protected by a cap to stop the alginate from getting into your hair, if you have no hair, better still! The eyebrows and eye-lashes will have a light coating of Vaseline. This again makes the job easier in removing the alginate once completed.

When the alginate is applied onto your face, a protective cover is supplied for your clothes, however, I do still strongly advice you to wear old clothes and take a spare set with you. Shower facilities will be provided if required, so please take along a towel if required.

When the Alginate is complete, mod-roc bandage is place on top of the alginate to retain the shape of the face. The whole process takes about 15 minutes from start to finish.

If I’ve not managed to put you off, great! Communication between the lifecaster and the client is for obvious reasons not possible when the alginate covers the face. I will discuss with the client some hand signals to be given if they are comfortable or at the worst case, in distress. It is in this instance that the casting will be abandoned and the alginate mould immediately removed. The comfort of the client is paramount.

This is why I always insist on a friend accompanying the client to give support. The friend can then be the eyes of the client and describe to them what is happening. The importance of having a friend there, especially if the client is female is paramount. Having a running commentary is reassuring for them.

The age limit I have for Facecasting is 14 years old upwards. Remember that you will not be able to see anything for about 15 minutes. If you are aged between 14 and 17 then you must be accompanied by your parent or guardian. If you are 18 or older and female then you must be accompanied by a friend.