Scarification

Scarifying involves scratching, etching, or some sort of superficial cutting or incision. Scarification can be applied to horticulture, which involves cutting the seed coat using acid, sand paper, or a knife to encourage germination, the cutting of concrete using hydrodemolition, or as a permanent body modification, etching designs, pictures, or words into the skin.

Scarification in construction

Scarification of concrete can be done using hydrodemolition, aka hydro scarification, and high speed scarification. The depth of removal depends on the application, but usually does not exceed 1/4" to 3/4". The use of scarification on concrete is used to provide a better bond profile with an overlay of the same material. Scarification sometimes follows an initial milling of a surface using a large mechanical grinder. The hydro scarification following this process can have the effect of eliminating microfractures produced by the impact of the milling machine. The absence of micofractures and the creation of a better bond profile, both help to create a better bond strength with the concrete overlay.

Scarification as a body modification

In the process of body scarification, scars are formed by cutting or branding the skin. Scarification is sometimes called cicatrization (from the French equivalent).

History

File:Sepik River initiations 1975, 7.JPG

An initiation ceremony located in Korogo Village, Sepik River, Papua New Guinea, 1975

Scarification has been used for many reasons in many different cultures:

• Scarification has been used as a rite of passage in adolescence, or to denote the emotional state of the wearer of the scars, such as times of sorrow or well-being. This is common among Australian Aboriginal and Sepik River tribes in New Guinea, amongst others.
• Scarification, by deliberately burning skin, is called branding and has historically been used to mark slaves and criminals, usually with the brand being visible and often letter-coded to reflect the crime.
• The Māori of New Zealand used a form of ink rubbing scarification to produce facial tattoos known as "moko." Moko were considered to make the body complete as Māori bodies were considered to be naked without these marks. Moko were unique to each person and served as a sort of signature. Some Māori chiefs even used the pattern of their moko as their signatures on land treaties with Europeans.
• In some cultures, the willingness of a woman to receive scarification shows her maturity and willingness to bear children.
• Scarification is fairly common in West Africa and New Guinea.
• Facial scarring was a popular practice among the Huns.
• Facial scarring resulting from academic fencing is regarded as a badge of honour among the European dueling fraternities, this tradition originating in the 19th century.
• Scarification is also associated with the body modification movement.

Reasons

There are many reasons why people may turn to scarification. Aesthetically, scarifications are usually more visible on darker skinned people than tattoos. Also, unlike tattoos, scarifications are a product of one's own body. Endorphins are released in the process of obtaining the scars that can put a person into a high or euphoria.

There are also religious and social reasons for scarification. According to some tribal belief in Africa, producing scars on newborn children helps preventing vision related illness. There may also be religious expressions used in the scarification process.

Methods

Scarification is not a precise art; there are many variables, such as skin type, depth of the cut, and how the wound is treated while healing, that make the outcome somewhat unpredictable.

The body creates the scar, not the artist; it is important to keep in mind that a method that works well on one person may not work so well on another. Also, the scars tend to spread a bit as they heal, so scarifications are usually relatively simple designs -- small details can easily get swallowed up in the healing process.

Branding

File:Strike Branding.jpg

Modern strike branding instruments

Human branding is one type of scarification. It is similar in nature to livestock branding.

Strike branding

This is basically the same process used to brand livestock. A piece of metal is heated and pressed onto the skin for the brand. However, the brand is usually done piece by piece rather than all at once. For example, to get a V-shaped brand, two lines would be burned separately by a straight piece of metal, rather than by a V-shaped piece of metal.

Cautery branding

This is a less common form of branding that uses a tool similar to a cautery-iron to cause the burns.

Laser branding

The technical term for laser branding is "electrocautery branding". The electrocautery unit is more like an arc welder for skin than a medical laser (though it is possible to use a medical laser for scarification). Electric sparks jump from the device to the skin, vaporizing the skin. This is a more precise form of scarification, because it is possible to regulate the depth and nature of the skin damage being done to it.

Cold branding

This rare method of branding is the same thing as strike branding, except that the metal branding tool is subjected to extreme cold (such as liquid nitrogen) rather than extreme heat. This method will cause the hair on the brand to grow back white and will not cause any keloiding.

Cutting

File:Sepik River initiations 1975, 6.JPG

Sepik River, Papua New Guinea. Initiation ceremony, Korogo Village, 1975.

Cutting of the skin for cosmetic purposes is not to be confused with self-injury, which is also referred to by the euphemism "cutting." However, there may be borderline cases of artistic self-injury and self-scarification for internal, non-cosmetic reasons.

Lines are cut with surgical blades. Extended cutting techniques include:

Ink rubbing

This is where tattoo ink (or another sterile coloring agent) is rubbed into a fresh cut. Most of this ink will remain in the skin as the cut heals, and will have the same basic effect as a tattoo. As with tattoos, it is important not to pick the scabs as this will pull out the ink. The general public often interprets ink-rubbings as poorly done tattoos.

Skin removal/skinning

Cutting in single lines produces relatively thin scars, and skin removal is a way to get a larger area of scar tissue. The outlines of the area of skin to be removed will be cut, and then the skin to be removed will be peeled away. Scars from this method often have an inconsistent texture.

Packing

This method is uncommon in the West, but has traditionally been used in Africa. A cut is made diagonally and an inert material such as clay or ash is packed into the wound; massive keloids are formed during healing as the wound pushes out the substance that had been inserted into the wound. Cigar ash is commonly used in the United States for more raised and purple scars; people may also use ashes of deceased loved ones.

Abrasion

Scars can be formed by removing layers of skin through abrasion. This can be achieved using a tattooing device (with no ink), or any object that can remove skin through friction (such as sandpaper). It is somewhat common for people who wish to experiment with performing their own scarifications to scrape away skin into a desired pattern with a needle or pin. This method of self-scarification is not recommended as it is unsafe.

Chemical scarification uses corrosive chemicals to remove skin and induce scarring. The effects of this method are typically very similar to other, simpler forms of scarification; as a result there has been little research undertaken on this method.

Hardcore or "Death Match" Wrestling=

Professionally trained "wrestlers" aka actors/stuntmen experiment with scarification during the amalgam art that is live staged fight scenes. Scars can be formed by using prop weapons like glass, barbed wire, thumb tacks, etc. during a scripted/pre-determined stunt fight. This style of non-self inflicted scarification is known in the business as "hardway." The stuntmen participating in the event talk before the match and lay down a set of rules for the scarification. Certain areas of the body are off limits to some wrestlers, others want scars all over. Some older wrestlers used to "gig" by using a small razor blade to self-scar the forehead during a match. This gives the art of "pro wrestling" the realistic feel and the wrestler the desired body modification to further his career and his artform. Scars are seen as a badge of honor and a sign that one has earned his place in the business. Most internet savy fans know about this practice and accept it as part of the stage show. Many have compared it to walking on hot coals, sword swollowing, public hook hangings, and pain tolerance demonstrations. World famous "wrestlers" like author Mic Foley aka Cactus Jack & Mankind, Abdullah The Butcher, Ric Flair, Harley Race, former Governor of Minnesota Jesse Ventura, Hulk Hogan, The Rock Duane Johnson, Stone Cold Steve Austin, John Cena, and many others have scars from "gigging." Other world famous "wrestlers" like Sabu, Madman Pondo, Diehard Dustin Lee, Scotty Vortekz, Drake Younger, Sick Nick Mondo, Ian Rotten, The Necro Butcher, Danny Havoc, and JC Bailey have scars on their backs, arms, and chests...sometimes in addition to forehead scars. Some only have body scars and wish not to scarify their face. Some look down on this form of scarification as it is very dangerous if not done properly...even then, there is still a chance of injury. Hence the reason they get paid for what they do and it's a rare occupation and a misunderstood art form.

Healing

The common opinion on healing a scarification wound is that it should be treated with irritation.

Irritation

Generally, the longer it takes a wound to heal, the more pronounced (the darker or more raised) the scar will be. Therefore, in order to have very pronounced scars, the goal is to keep the wound open and healing for the longest time possible. This is done by picking or scrubbing away scabs and irritating the wound with chemical or natural irritants such as toothpaste or citrus juice. Some practitioners recommend the use of tincture of iodine which has been proven to cause more visible scarring (this is why it's no longer used for treating minor wounds). With this method, a wound may take months to heal; however the scar may be inconsistent.

Keloids

Keloids are raised scars. Keloiding can be a result of genetics, skin color (darker skin types are more prone to keloiding), or irritation. Keloids are often desired for the visual, 3-D effect they provide and for the way they feel to the touch.

• If an enclosed space --such as a circle -- is cut or branded, it is possible that the skin inside of the closed space will die off and scar due to a lack of blood flow to the area.

Touch-ups

If a scarification does not heal in the desired fashion, secondary scarifications may be done to help achieve the desired effect, such as even scarring, or detail.

An alternative view is described by the acronym LITHA, meaning Leave It The Hell Alone. In body modification this is often considered the best way to reduce the risk of infection and the pain of healing.

Dangers/cautions

Scarification is intentionally causing harm or trauma to the skin; thus it is not safe.

• Infection is a concern. Not only do the materials for inducing the wounds need to be sanitary, but the wound needs to be kept clean, using anti-bacterial solutions or soaps often, and having good hygiene in general. It is not uncommon, especially if the wound is being irritated, for a local infection to develop around the wound.
• The scarification artist needs to have a working knowledge of the anatomy of human skin, in order to prevent tools cutting too deep, burning too hot (or cold), or burning for too long.
• Scarification isn't nearly as popular as tattooing, so it is harder to find artists experienced in scarification.
• Precautions are made for brandings, such as wearing masks, because it is possible for diseases to be passed from the skin into the fumes produced when the skin is burning.

External links

• Pictures of scarification in Africa - Features by Jean-Michel Clajot, Belgian photographer
• Extensive Scarification Article - Features different scarification techniques and advice
• The Medical Museum: University of Iowa Health Care: Body Alterations
• Scarification FAQ from Body Modification E-Zine
• Scarification entry in BME Encyclopedia
• Ancient Marks - Audio interview with photographer/author Chris Rainer about his book Ancient Marks, from The World radio program, December 28, 2005 (Windows Media Audio Format)