Scarification: Is This Trend Going Too Far?

Scars Instead of Tattoos – Ink-Free Body Art (GALLERY)

(TREND HUNTER) Scarification is the next big thing in the tattoo world–although clearly it is not a tattoo. Scarification refers instead to the practice of using scar tissue naturally produced by the body to form designs,… [More]

Please read the rest of Trend Hunter’s article and then come back here for more on this important subject.

This is a very, very extreme form of design on skin. This can only be reversed by having skin grafts which would look much worse than the controlled design of the scarification, as such, scarification should not be taken lightly and thoroughly thought out prior to having this done.

You are taking the chance of Keloids, which form within scar tissue. Collagen, used in wound repair, tends to overgrow in this area, sometimes producing a lump many times larger than that of the original scar. You have a higher risk of infection due to the large areas and depth of the open wound that needs to heal.

Let us face facts, you are paying someone other than a doctor or nurse to take a scalpel and cut free sections of your skin in a designed pattern you have chosen. You must be sure that this individual is extremely hygienic in preparation for this, that all products are sterile and that you are healthy enough to do this. The area for scarification must be exceptionally cleaned before, during and after the procedure to avoid getting a staph infection. Remember, they are cutting away strips of your skin. This will be more painful than you ever thought a tattoo would be and if you thought tattoos were permanent, with this, there is no going back, no changing your mind once it is done.

Think carefully before you do this. If you still want to go for it, check out the people who are doing it and be sure you are in good hands before paying for this with your skin and money.

Scarab Body Arts is a studio dedicated to scarification and is the source for this photo. But these are only bits and pieces of our body parts and not the whole person. Rectify the beautiful girl in the above picture with these below and imagine that lovely face with this style of “art.”

Remember, that red is blood – not ink

one on right is scarification left, looks like reg. tattoo

this is the design after cutting, next pic is it healed up

the raised puffy areas are Keloids and they can become painful

Branding is another way to achieve scarification, but the cutting gives a more precise design and can be controlled easier. Both are painful and you will not know how evenly you will scar until after you have done this procedure.

Personally, I don’t care for this trend and hope that the individuals that have this done don’t regret this decision down the road. I know everyone says that about tattoos as well, but to me, tattoos and scarification are two very separate forms of body modification in that tattoos are like putting permanent clothes on, and scarification/branding are definitely modifying your body for life. I can remove a tattoo or cover it with another one. Scars, especially if you tend to Keloid, are there forever and can cause you problems if the Keloids get out of control.

You don’t know if you Keloid until it happens, so is it really worth it? Only you can decide for your self and while it isn’t for me, I want those that do it to be safe and hopefully happy with the results considering what you will go through to get it.

I prefer a pretty, colorful tattoo like this one: