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What Is Scarification?

The ancient practice of scarification is regaining popularity in the modern world of body art. Once tattooing and piercing became popular and more accepted, it was only a matter of time until people got interested in the more traditional body modification arts. Scarring has a deep history and a pedigree that makes it both interesting and more unusual than other types of body modifications.
Types of Body Scarring

Scarification, the practice of purposely scarring skin tissue to leave permanent marks, is a very ancient practice that reaches back to the earliest stages of the human race. This form of body modification has been used in ancient rituals as a rite of passage into adulthood and also as a sign of status and beauty. Historically, being able to withstand the pain of the process was taken as a sign of great physical and spiritual strength. Warriors also received sacred scars to identify them with their tribe, and many bearers also believed these markings had spiritual powers to protect them in battle.

Today, scarring the body is again on the upsurge, practiced as a form of personal, expression along with other body arts, such as piercing and tattooing. There are a variety of options for people to choose from in order to attain the level of body scarring they desire. Modern sterilization technology and good after care information assures body art lovers a reliable degree of protection from infection, improper scarring and pain.
Branding

Body branding usually involves striking the skin with specifically-shaped hot metal to form patterns. Like most body scarification techniques, the degree of risk involved with branding makes proper after care crucial.

The methods used to brand skin include:

Hot branding: This method involves heating an iron that will be pressed firmly against the flesh to sear in an image or message.
Cold branding: Similar to hot branding, the cold method uses an iron dipped in liquid nitrogen before being applied to the flesh.
Electro-cauterization: This branding method produces very fine results. Lasers are able to cut very delicate lines to create intricate patterns.

Cutting
Body scars

Body cutting is one of the most common ways to create permanent scars. The process involves making precision cuts in the skin with a scalpel or other surgical grade instrument to create a redesigned pattern or shape. The wound may be cut more than once, depending on the final depth of scarring desired. The deeper the scar, the bolder the resulting mark.

Keep in mind that cutting is also a term used in the medical field to describe a form of self-abuse. This is different than cutting as a means of body modification. Cutting as scarification is generally practiced as a means of achieving a personal goal, whether that goal is art or marking a life event.

Additional Methods


For body art lovers who like to push even further out of the box, alternative methods of body scarification do exist. Other ways to define your individuality by scarring the skin include:

Tattoo Machine: This method includes etching or abrading the skin with an sinless tattoo machine to form a pattern or design.
Injection: This is a risky process that involves injecting noxious chemicals just under the skin to create random scar designs.
Abrasive: The artist grinds away areas of skin with a rotary tool to form precision patterns.