Another way to do a scarification body modification is cutting of the skin. This cutting style is not to be confused with self cutting to deal with emotional pain; scarification cutting is only done for cosmetic purposes. Surgical blades are used to cut the skin in this type of scarification. When the professional uses the sterilized surgical blade to create a body modification, the lines are generally thin. The thin cuts that were done might not leave the desired scar the person was hoping for. Removing a portion of the skin in the body art is usually required to create a larger more predominate scar. Depending on how big the art piece being done is and how big of a scar is being desired, will determine how much skin will need to be removed.
Other Scarification Methods
Skinning is usually part of the cutting method in scarification because of the different sizes of designs and the size of the scar that is trying to be achieved. A surgical blade is used to make the outside lines where the skinning is going to happen in the art design and then the skin is peeled away, leaving an open wound to scar over.
Hatching is another method used to create a scar; it’s much like skin removal or skinning. The motion an artist uses to sketch a picture is the same motion used in hatching, a surgical scalpel is used instead of a drawling utensil. The skin is then removed.
Along with cutting, there are other techniques that are used to create the perfect scar. One of the most heard of is ink rubbing. After the cutting of the scarification has been done some body art enthusiast take a sterile coloring agent, usually tattoo ink and rub it into the open wounds. As the healing process begins, the ink remains in the skin. It is important not to pick the scabs because it will pull the sterile coloring agent out. The end result of ink rubbing maybe very disappointing. Most people view this body modification as a shoddily done tattoo instead of a scarification.
Another techniques used along with cutting is Packing. Packing is done mostly in Africa. A diagonal incision is made and either a form of clay or ashes are placed inside the open wound. The natural healing process of the body will form a scar and slowly push the ash or clay out, leaving a bigger scar then without a substance in the cut. In the United States, it is not unheard of for people to use cigar ashes or ashes of a deceased loved one in the packing scarification process.
Abrasion is another process that can be done to do a scarification body modification. This method basically uses friction to remove layers of skin to create a scar. The friction needed to create this scar can be caused from using a tattoo machine without any ink, sandpaper, or a dermal tool tip to grind away the layers of skin. The type of scar that is usually left from abrasion is not as raised as other methods. Chemical abrasion can also be done to create a body modification, although this is a far less known and explored form of scarification.
Body piercing and modification needs a lot of care to prevent infections. H2Ocean Spray is the most effective product to cleanse and heal the external body piercings.