Photo
Omprakash
Scarification
In the U.S., scarification emerged in San Francisco as part of a new body-modification movement in the mid-1980’s. It was originally embraced by gay and lesbian subcultures, said Victoria Pitts, professor of sociology at the City University of New York in New York City, reports
National Geographic.
Photo
Poke of Doom
But by the early 1990s, members of a neotribal, or ‘modern primitive’ movement began using scarification. “That movement was interested in reviving or reenacting indigenous body rituals from around the world — trying to get in touch with a more authentic or spiritual experience of the body.” Pitts said.
Photo
Mistyeiz2
Photo
Sharlene Maziero
Over the last seven or eight years, Pitts said, scarification has become remarkably widespread in the U.S., Australia and across Europe, from London to Prague.
Scarification is done either by cutting repeatedly with a scalpel, using a cauterizing tool, or by ’strike branding,’ which is much like cattle branding.
After cleaning the area and stenciling on the design, the artist begins cutting or burning the skin until reaching the right depth and width. “It can take 15 minutes, but I’ve also done pieces that took eight hours over two days.” said Ryan Ouellette, a body-modification artist who owns Precision Body Arts in Nashua, New Hampshire.
There are several reasons for the growing popularity of scarification. Pitts feels that it’s partly spurred by a nostalgia for a different type of society.
Photo
Foto Morgana
Photo
Ms Entropy
“Industrial consumerist cultures are becoming more interested in what they might call primitive societies.” she said. “That’s not wholly new — it’s a fascination that’s centuries old.” The romantic idea of the exotic ethnic dates back to colonial times, she said.
“Someone stuck in L.A. traffic, wearing a tribal tattoo, has a cultural nostalgia for something we imagine we’ve lost.” Pitts said. “The problem is that we’re taking it upon ourselves to represent a whole range of indigenous cultures in ways that they may not agree with — or may violate sacred spiritual ritual.”
Some scarify merely to be different. “Tattooing has become old hat.” Hemingson said. “If you want to be on the cutting edge — and want to set yourself apart — you can do tongue splitting or scarification.”
Pitts argues that body modification is not really so strange within a culture where identity is often expressed through appearance — which in mainstream society includes fashion consumption, cosmetic surgery, and botox.
On the fringes of society, it’s tattooing, piercing, and scarification.
“Scarification definitely isn’t as popular as tattooing, and I don’t think it ever will be.” said Ouellette. “It still carries a stigma as something really bizarre.”
Branding
Branding is the process for which a white-hot item is used — typically a piece of metal in some particular shape — and pressed into the flesh so that it makes a serious burn and then a permanent scar.
Photo
JasonMG5
In full-scale branding, the iron is heated hot enough and applied long enough that the resulting wound is a third degree burn, which destroys the nerve. These third-degree burns never regain sensitivity. It will make a silver scarred area in the shape of the third degree burn, due to destruction of the entire dermis layer of the skin. The surrounding skin will eventually fill in areas that haven’t been severely damaged, which takes years.
Implants
Implants are created by placing an object under the skin to create a design. An incision is made near the area the implant will be placed, then a pocket is made and the object is inserted. The incision is then stitched up.
Photo
Stop Chillin Start Killin
Most commonly used materials are titanium, soft solid silicone, and Teflon. Other materials such as stainless steel can be used, but some people can develop an allergic reaction and reject the implant.
Photo
Chicago Tribune
Photo
Spaztacular
Yep, they're just like us...these poor sick freaks want to force us to accept their psychotic lifestyles? Good luck with that.