Moulage

Moulage is the practice of creating realistic injuries, wounds, or medical conditions on the body or on lifelike mannequins to simulate clinical or disaster scenarios. The term derives from the French moulage, meaning molding or casting. In medical and emergency training, moulage helps learners diagnose, triage, and manage patients under stress without risking real harm. It is also used in forensic demonstrations, disaster rehearsals, and in theater, film, and museum demonstrations to depict injuries accurately.

Techniques and materials: A typical moulage setup may combine prosthetic appliances, makeup, and special effects materials. Conventional options include latex or silicone prosthetics, gelatin or foam-latex appliances, and lifelike skin tones painted or airbrushed to match the actor. Blood simulants, edema and burns can be simulated with colored gels, silicone gels, and textured paints. Tools include sculpting clay, moulds, adhesives, setting powders, and sealants.

Process: Trainers design the scenario, sculpt or cast any prosthetics, create molds, and apply them to a patient or mannequin. Edges are blended, color graded, and the wound is textured to appear realistic.

Safety and ethics: use non-toxic, hypoallergenic materials; patch test for allergies; avoid sensitive areas; consider cultural sensitivity; obtain consent; follow infection-control guidelines.

History: Moulage has military origins in the 19th and early 20th centuries, with advances by theatre makeup artists and medical educators in the modern era. Today it is an established component of simulation-based medical education, disaster preparedness, and entertainment productions.