SCARification///
BODY
MODIFICATION
What is Scarification?
Scarification involves scratching, etching, burning / branding, or superficially cutting designs, pictures, or words into the skin as a form of permanent body modification.
Usually, when someone mentions “Scarification” most people automatically asume its a kind of branding. However, Branding is described as burning the skin, usually with a heated piece of metal. Scarification is done by cutting and is simply what it sounds like, using a scalpel to cut an image/design into your skin to eventually turn into a scar.
How thick and deep do the lines need to be for an effective scar to result?
Some people can scar with minimal effort while others are much more difficult to scar. Each part of the body will determine how deep or wide cuts would need to be. It’s important not to cut too deep yet also not too shallow, as it would disappear.
Turn your body into a true work of art.
Methods of Scarification;
Scarification is not a precise practice; variables, such as skin type, cut depth, and how the wound is treated while healing, make the outcome unpredictable. A method that works on one person may not work on another. The scars tend to spread as they heal, so outcome design is usually simple, the details being lost during healing.
Different types of Scarification processes incliude Branding, Cutting and Abrasion.
The Healing Process
The common practice on healing a scarification wound is use of irritation.
Irritation
Generally, the longer for a wound to heal, the more pronounced the scar will be. Thus, in order to have pronounced scars, the wound may be kept open for a protracted time. This is by abrading scabs and irritating the wound with chemical or natural irritants such as toothpaste or citrus juice. Some practitioners use tincture of iodine which has been proven to cause more visible scarring (this is why it's no longer used for treating minor wounds). With this method, a wound may take months to heal.
Keloids
Keloids are raised scars. Keloiding can be a result of genetics, skin colour (darker skin types are more prone to keloiding), or irritation. Keloids are often sought for a visual, 3-D effect and for tactile effects.If an enclosed area perimeter is cut or branded, the skin inside the closed space may die off and scar due to a lack of blood flow.
Touch-ups
If a scarification does not heal to yield a prescribed outcome, secondary scarifications may be conducted.An alternative view is described by the acronym LITHA, meaning Leave It The Hell Alone. In body modification this is often considered the best way to reduce the risk of infection and the pain of healing
Dangers & Cautions
The Scarification process produces harm and trauma to the skin, thus it is considered to be unsafe by many. Infection is a concern when scarification has taken place. Not only does the Scarification process hurt, the materials for inducing the wounds need to be sanitary, but the would needs to be kept very clean. Using antibacterial solutions or soaps often and ensuring good hygiene in general. It is not uncommon if the wound is being irritated for a local infection to develop around the wound. The scarification artist must have a detailed knowledge of the anatomy of the human skin, in order to prevent tools cutting too deep, burning too hot, or burning for too long. Scarification is nowhere near as popular as tattoos, so it is harder to find workers experienced in the process of Scarification. Precautions must be made for branding such as wearing masks to eliminate possible diseases to be passed from the skin into the air when the skin is burning.