[AMP-L] BK Cosmetic Cover Responses

[Wayne Renardson]

>From OANDP-L via Ms. Lisa Schoonmaker, CPO-the original query concerned
cosmetic covers for BKs. 

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I was asked by a few of you to post my responses. I have chosen to not
include the manufacturers' input...my goal is objective opinions.

Lisa Schoonmaker, CPO
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We did a brief trial a few years back and found that the shoe colour 
sprays did a fantastic job of colouring most foams and a lot of other 
surfaces used for cosmetic covers (silicon skins excepted). 
Combinations of the colours gave a fantastic skin tone (base pink with 
a tan and burgandy light spray gave that ruddy "old" skin look) Best 
thing was that they were so easy to spray and touch up when the 
inevitable scratch/scuff happens as well as keeping their colour. I can 
send some pictures if you want.   

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Try the skins from RL Steeper sold through Liberating Technologies.
Very interesting. I've only used one and there is a bit of a learning
curve (I can probably save you some time by describing the things I did
wrong). They are available in both split toe and non-split. These are
new to me, but a new patient of mine has been using them for years. As
active as this patient is, they seem quite durable. I was surprised at
how easy they went on. The glue does need to sit for at least 24 hours,
and, of course, they have their own special adhesive. The adhesive does
come included with the skin. After I butchered the first skin, "Robin",
the sales rep, replaced it for free. Call if you have any other
questions.

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You should have someone custom skin the prosthesis. I use New Life skin 
and custom skin each patient and add freckles, toenails, hair etc. I 
normally do these for my patients only, but an occasional skin for a 
college of mine. They can last as long as five years. With pictures you 
can get a very close match. This is far superior to the skins by any of 
the normal sources. These are applied directly to the prosthesis and 
are not a pull up skin.  

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I have been working together with a company from U.K. for seminars in
Europe and they have a nice silicone cosmesis. The name of the company
is Dorset Orhtopedic and they will have a booth at the AOPA meeting in
Las Vegas so if you go you will have the opportunity to see these nice
cosmesis. Looking forward to see you there

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I've been happy with the Dermatos from Alathia.  I've only been using
them for 9 months so no long term results but so far, they have
held up well.  They go on easily and if you use their UFO glue they
actually stay on.

I also liked the Skinergy skins, but found that nothing I did (even, 
for a change, following the manufacturers directions) kept them up. 
There was some wear in the heal area when people wore sandals (as would 
be expected) but other than that, they were also fairly tough skins 
that looked good.  

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I propose if you feel comfortable shaping the cover yourself, you also 
spray your own skin if you have access to a paint gun. We used U-flate 
skins for years and I've just began to spray my own using Nu skin from 
PEL. It requires a little extra time, but the result is a skin that is 
very durable, resists fading, and you have the ability to touch up the 
skin from time to time if necessary. 

I would suggest good ventilation but the process itself is utterly 
idiot proof with some simple suggestions to work from. The patients 
I've skinned have turned out great and with a little practice you can 
easlily give the illusion of leg hair for men.  I have yet to find a 
skin that delivers the kind of result that so many of our patients 
desire. As always, if you want something done right you're left to do 
the task yourself.    

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In my experience, the DAW skins work very well and last the 
longest....but it is DAW and they are a pain to have to put up with 
their constant sales calls.  

Proximally I use an elastic/cloth finishing material..they sell a 75 
meter roll of the stuff in buff that will last years. Makes the 
finishing look good and is durable.  

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I am replying as a patient. A Step Ahead Prosthetics (Erik Schaffer) 
made my skin and it is fabulous! I paint and repaint my toenails and I 
have a split toe.  

I have only been wearing it for 5 months but it has been to the beach 
(in the hot sun) splashed (not submerged) on water rides and it held up 
great. It looks so much like my real leg that sometimes my kids ask me 
which one is the prosthesis.  
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As a matter of fact I spoke with Erik. Unfortunately flying to NY is 
not an option for my patient. Additionally, Erik's product is not 
available to other prosthetists. Oh well...  

Thanks,

Lisa