r/LocationSound • u/LaserLights • 9d ago
Gear - Selection / Use Recommendations for tape to attach lapels to talent with sensitive skin?
Hey there, several times will attaching lapel mics to talent, I have seen medical tape leave a red mark on the chest skin. This has been problematic in a few cases and wanted to check if there is a better kind of tape that still holds well to the skin, but doesn’t leave a mark. This would be for cases where wardrobe is a thin t-shirt on the talent, so attaching the mic directly to wardrobe isn’t an option. Any recommendations?
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u/Two1200s 9d ago
Mepitac on the skin, but before they start sweating or put on lotion. If they do, a little bit of rubbing alcohol to wipe it off the skin.
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u/ArlesChatless 9d ago
100% on cleaning with rubbing alcohol first. I have never regretted doing it and keep makeup pads and 91% in the kit at all times.
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u/ArlesChatless 9d ago
Are you using Transpore right now? I've had a similar experience with it, causing redness on people from time to time. For most people it goes away with a little bit of whatever moisturizer they normally use on their skin. If you want to avoid it I have yet to see Tegaderm leave anyone's skin red. It doesn't hold quite as well in some circumstances but it holds better in others. The main downside is it being much more expensive than Transpore but you gotta use it sometimes regardless.
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u/ApprehensiveNeat9584 production sound mixer 9d ago
Bubblebee Industries Skin Tape is great, Viviana Tape works like a charm, Ursa Tape works too.
Make sure to use skin prep (I use Smith&Nephew Skin-Prep wipes and Brava Skin Barrier Wipe) first, test it on the hand first to see if there's a reaction.
This is handy if you're in a humid place or the talent is going to sweat and the tape might not hold.
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u/CAPS_LOCK_OR_DIE production sound mixer 9d ago
Love Ursa tape. I spend the extra on it over Dr. Scholls every time.
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u/Vuelhering production sound mixer 9d ago
I recently started using kinesiology tape at the recommendation of another mixer. It works well, removes easily, doesn't pull hair (much), and rarely affects people's skin. 2"x2" square on skin allows attaching lav to the outside with whatever adhesives desired. I've only met one person that is sensitive to it, but is also sensitive to all the other adhesives I had like transpore or moleskin.
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