Preparing Your Skin and Your Prosthesis
1. Repeatedly practice positioning your prosthesis without
adhesive to ensure accurate placement.
2. Wash and thoroughly dry your hands and skin where your prosthesis is to be
placed.
3. Clean your prosthesis with a soft, bristled toothbrush, mild soap, (i.e.
Ivory liquid) and warm water.
Applying Your Prosthesis
1. If adhesive is used, it should be applied with a cotton
tipped swab by evenly spreading a thin layer of the adhesive along the outer
edges of the back side of your prosthesis according to the manufacturer’s
instructions.
2. Allow the adhesive to reach its proper pre-application state depending on
the type of adhesive used (i.e. dried clear Pros-Aide / Daro).
3. Using a mirror, carefully position and press your prosthesis onto your skin
to ensure good contact.
*** Keep from freezing all water based adhesives!
Removing Your Prosthesis
1. Remove your prosthesis from your skin on a daily basis
to keep your tissues healthy and to maintain hygiene. Grasp the thickest edge
of your prosthesis and gently remove it very slowly so as not to tear the edges
or irritate your skin.
2. If necessary, use a moist washcloth over the surface of the prosthesis to
loosen adhesive from your skin.
Cleaning Your Prosthesis
1. If adhesive was used, remove it by gently rolling the
adhesive off the prosthesis (starting from the center to the outer edges) with
your fingertips, using gauze or textured cloth. Soaking the prosthesis in a
cup of warm water helps to soften adhesive and make it easier to remove.
2. Clean the prosthesis with a soft, bristled toothbrush, mild soap (i.e. Ivory
soap), and warm water. Avoid using soaps with lotions or moisturizers. Also
avoid using solvents to clean your prosthesis.
3. Remove any traces of adhesive or oil by gently wiping the tissue side with
a gauze or soft-textured cloth moistened with rubbing alcohol. Repeat this step
using a gauze or soft-textured cloth moistened with Listerine on the back side
of the prosthesis.
4. If your prosthesis has an ocular component, remove and clean it with soap
and water. The ocular component should not be cleaned with rubbing alcohol.
Place a drop of mineral oil on the eye and shine the eye once a week.
5. If your prosthesis is retained with magnets, clips, or plastic buttons, take
care to clean around each fixture with a soft, bristled toothbrush, soap, and
water.
Cleaning Your Skin
1. Wash your skin with soap and water after removing the
prosthesis and remove any residue of adhesive with a soft textured cloth.
2. Avoid the use of harsh solvents such as benzene or xylene. Mineral oil (baby
oil) is suggested for removal from the skin.
3. Apply a moisturizing lotion on a nightly basis to restore natural body oils.
4. Report any areas of inflammation or irritation to the office or clinic.
Color Changes
1. Avoid smoking as it will stain and yellow the prosthesis.
2. Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight, which can cause fading of the color
of the prosthesis.
3. Avoid the use of strong solvents, such as benzene and xylene, which can cause
color dissolution and weakening of the prosthetic material.
Storing The Prosthesis
1. Store the prosthesis in a dry, inconspicuous but safe
place (for example, a bedside table drawer).
2. Keep out of reach of children and animals
3. If you have an orbital prosthesis, store in an upright position.
Preventing Mishaps
1. Avoid extreme temperature changes, which can cause adhesive
to fail.
2. Carry extra adhesive and prepackaged alcohol-soaked cotton balls in a small
plastic bag.
3. Avoid placing the prosthesis in purses or pockets close to items such as
ink pens and makeup that could stain it.
4. If adhesives are prescribed, be careful not to spill the adhesive from the
bottle. To prevent evaporation, keep the lid tightened when not in use. To increase
the life of your adhesive add a small marble or steel ball to lessen the amount
of air in the bottle and keep it fuller.
*Information courtesy of ABI Professional Publications. McKinstry, Robert E. and Habakuk, Susan W., “Daily Care of Your Facial Prosthesis”. Fundamentals of Facial Prosthesis’ pg. 198.