Scarification as Body Art

Scarification is not a new form of body modification. In primitive societies, members would scar their bodies to note great defeats and hunts. Among most of the body modifications that took place in primitive societies, scars were used to mark important events in one's life, a sort of rite of passage, marriage, etc.

Today, scarification is another form of body modification to add something 'pretty,' mark a time, express a feeling, etc. It is not as popular as tattoos, but nonetheless, it is a body art.

With this particular body modification, scar tissue is used to imprint words, pictures, and designs upon the body. Cuts are made between 1/4" and 3/4" into the skin.

This is a creative and controled manner to achieve an aesthetically pleasing result.

There are different thoughts as to healing a scar.

One, is the 'leave it alone' technique, which is pretty self explanatory. Leave it alone, and let it heal. If it was done correctly, the scar should remain prominant.

The the other idea is to irritate it. For this, one must pick at the scab, rub it with a toothbrush, or use a chemical or exfoliant. Sometimes when you irritate the scar, you can cause some portions to become heavier than other. In some cases, picking at the scab will pull up other skin tissues, which can alter the appearance of the scar itself.

Some people suggest rubbing Vaseline into the wound in the direction of the cut lines 3 or 4 times a day.

When many people think about purposely scarring one's body, they think that there is something wrong with the person. I have gotten, 'do you need to talk to someone?' many times. And, maybe some people do need the help, but in many cases people that invest time and money into the scarification process, they do it because they like the feel, and like the results.

Like any other body modification, scarification should be thought about before getting it done, because it is a permanent mark on one's body. But, like other body modifications, like tattoos, scars can be removed via demabrasion techniques and chemicals. But unlike many scars, with scarification over the counter scar solutions, may not cut it, unless applied for long term.

Anyone considering scarification must consider the risks of scarification, as well, as the end result that they wish to achieve. The main concern with scarification is the risk of infection; although infection is a risk in all body modifications, with scarification, there is a minimized after care, so infection risks are higher. Also, if you do not have a skilled professional to perform the scaring, the inexperience can cost you, as improper techniques can be extremely dangerous (I.E. too deep).

Pictures can be found at the official body modification organization.