Skin replication technique

The invention provides a composition and a method for studying skin surface areas with simplified magnifying devices by making a replication of the skin surface area while minimizing irritation to the subject's skin, cracking of the replicas, surface artifacts, and air bubbles in the replicas. The method entails preparing a negative skin surface replica composition by mixing a silicone polysiloxane base and a biocompatible surface tension modifying agent. The mixture is placed in a vacuum desiccator to remove air bubbles and thereafter a curing agent is added to the mixture. An adhesive collar is placed on the subject's skin, which collar surrounds the surface area to be replicated, and thereafter the composition is applied to the skin surface area and the adhesive collar and allowed to dry. The negative skin surface casting is removed from the skin area and is then placed skin side up in a mold cup. A positive liquid skin surface replica composition comprising a polyethylene, a polyethylene copolymer and a low micron pigment blend is prepared and is heated. The positive replica composition is then poured into the mold cup until the negative casting is covered. The mold cup is centrifuged, cooled to room temperature and thereafter the negative and positive skin surface replica castings are separated and studied.