Scarification is one of the oldest forms of marking the body. Traditionally, it was used to represent rites of passage and to mark different stages of life. Today, this form of body modification is making a come back as another way of modifying the body.
There are many different forms of this artform. Branding is probably the best known method. However, scarification through cutting is growing in popularity. This is partly due to the higher degree of control you have over the finished design.
It is important to note that scarification as an artform is done for the same reasons, someone would tattoo or pierce themselves. It is in no way, related to self injury or self cutters. The motivation and outcome is very different.
All scarification pieces performed at Scarab Body Arts are done by John Joyce and on an appointment basis only. Please contact John if you are interested.
You can see some of John's scarification work below. You can also see regularly updated pieces by clicking here.
Cuttings by John
Brandings by John
Scarification Aftercare
Your piece will be bandaged upon completion. Carefully remove the bandage after four to six hours and wash with cool water and an antibacterial soap (ie. Dial). Lather up the soap in clean hands and gently rub it into the cuts. Rinse with fresh water and repeat with soap. Rinse once more and pat dry, gently, with a new, disposable, paper towel. Do NOT scrub across the open skin. This will make for undesired, uneven scarring in the end, only rub with the direction of the cut.
After you are done with the soap and water, I recommend using Peroxide on the wound. This will help kill any bacteria, as well as irritate the cuts to help with scarring. Pour a bit of the Peroxide into your freshly washed cuts and let it sit for a couple minutes.
Following this, apply a thin layer of Vaseline over the entire scar and cover it completely with a plastic wrap dressing (ie. Saran wrap) and tape. It is important to keep the area moist by sealing it off from the air. Do not wrap too tightly, as this may keep your cutting from keloiding upward as well. Leave this dressing on entirely until your next wash.
Always, rub your irritant (Vaseline) in gently in the direction of the cut lines, so as not to “blow out” the scar. Back and forth scrubbing with any product could potentially cause undesirable, “blown out” scarring in localized areas. Scrubbing of any fashion during initial healing should be avoided, as it can lead to an inconsistent scar.
Your going to do repeat this process 3 or 4 times throughout the day. Continue these steps for the first 10 to 14 days. Soap and water, Peroxide, Vaseline, then cover...
It is very possible you will develop an itchy, annoying heat rash below the plastic wrap, especially if you don’t remove it to wash a couple times per day. This is normal and should only be concerned as an irritation. If it bothers you too much you can stop with the cellophane wrapping, but a less desired keloiding may be the result.
Your body will eventually (around 3-4 weeks) generate enough scar tissue to completely cover any open wounds, and at this time you may decide to rub, scratch, smack, itch, etc. the design to build even more scar tissue without risk of blowing out lines, but it is important that if you do this, do it to ALL of it, or you will find yourself having some areas that scar more than others.
In the end, the degree of scarring you experience is dependent upon your genetics. The reality is that some people just scar more than others. As well, a cutting that is placed over many, or any, different moving muscle groups may scar more in certain areas as it is naturally irritated more from everyday action.
Branding Aftercare
Coming soon
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