Branding/Cutting

Author Unknown

Warning - Not For Beginners.

BRANDING is a form of permanent body modification, similar to tattooing in that a design is implanted into the skin. The "design" is a scar which thickens over time. New brands are red; deep brands may appear black or ash white. Depending on the individual's skin color and type, the scar will age to deep red, dark gray or brown, or white.

Historically, brands were used in early years to mark members of a tribe or group, much like they are used today by some black fraternities. In the Roman era up through the late 1800's, brands were used as forms of torture, to mark criminals, and as signs of ownership on slaves and animals. Stock animals are still branded, although the other traditional uses are limited to less humanitarian cultures. Most modern brands are chosen by individuals who wish to mark their bodies in a unique way. Some are seeking a spiritual connection through the intensity of the act. Occasionally, brands are used to demonstrate the close bond of a couple, particularly those in SM or Master/Mistress and slave relationships.

Those interested in obtaining a brand should consider it carefully. Unlike other forms of body adornment, there is no way to cover up or correct a poorly done brand, short of extensive plastic surgery. Avoid amateur brandings! To appear as attractive designs after healing, brands must be done with great care and within strict limits on design styles and sizes. There are few body artists who perform brands; they take as much artistry as tattooing and even more of a steady hand and strong will than piercing. Even if it takes extra time and money, go to a professional.

A brand design is best made up of 1-20 smaller sections of stainless steel sheet approximately 20 gauge, none exceeding 1" long. Intricate designs can be devised from a repetition of a few basic shapes, such as a "V," an arc, or a dot. A highly detailed or large brand will, therefore, require more strikes than a simple one. The small sections are necessary to ensure the iron stays hot along its full length for the duration of the strike, about 8 seconds. Individual sections also help keep the design clear. Heavy wire (such as a coat hanger) or a single large brand causes more extensive tissue damage, since the entire piece must be heated to a higher temperature to keep the edges as hot as the interior sections of the iron. Because a brand scar heals to three times its original width, heavy or large single-piece irons result in a mass of indistinguishable scar tissue, instead of a clear design. A new technique, which produces much lighter branding scars, uses a heated surgical probe to "trace" the design on the skin. This method allows more intricate designs than the traditional method (above). However, because the heat of the branding instrument doesn't penetrate as deeply, the scars produced may fade with time. Brands are best done on flat areas of the body, so that the full length of the iron has even contact with the skin. Depending on the size of the design, the thighs, upper arms, buttocks, chest, and abdomen are the preferred areas.

The skin is prepared as for a piercing. The irons should be made specifically for the individual and used only on that person (although they can be autoclaved). The person receiving the brand lies down in a position which allows the area for the brand to be as flat as possible. Typically, one or more assistants are present to help hold the person and keep the site still. There is a natural tendency to jump or flinch when the iron is applied. This causes a "double strike" which can ruin the design unless it can be incorporated into it. The iron is heated to red-hot and applied perfectly parallel to the skin with even pressure. Like tattoos and piercings, branding causes the body to produce endorphins, which help the person accept additional pain. However, some people take 20 minutes or more to produce enough endorphins to feel the "endorphin high." Individuals who question their ability to take many strikes, yet plan an intricate design, should develop a design which will appear just as attractive, though simpler, with a few strikes. This will allow completion of at least the simpler brand. Brands are third degree burns, destroying the top layers of tissue at the site. The skin, the irons, and the general work area must be as near sterile as possible. Non-sterile procedures, improper aftercare, or poor technique can result in serious infection or even permanent damage to muscles, nerves, and other tissue, as well as leaving an ugly scar. As anyone who has ever been burned (by scalding water, hot oil, etc.) knows, burns hurt. To choose to wear a brand requires a strong will and mind, and the willingness to suffer with and care for a very painful burn for a week or more. But for those willing to endure, a well-done brand is both attractive and awe-inspiring.

A new brand is extremely susceptible to infection. The area must be kept perfectly clean for at least a week, while the initial burn is covered with fresh scar tissue.

1. Thoroughly wash hands before uncovering, touching, or treating the burn. Wear latex gloves, if available.
2. Clean the area gently with mild, hypoallergenic liquid soap or diluted surgical scrub. Do not rub the burn-simply smooth the soap over the area, allow to soak briefly, then rinse. Use a cup to gently pour the rinse water over the area. Do not rinse under direct water pressure (shower or tap).

Apply a light film of Bacitracin or other antibacterial ointment. Do not use sprays intended for sun- or household burns. Their ingredients will slow or stop healing and could cause complications.

While the burn is open, raw, or weeping, cover it lightly with "non-stick" gauze pads or water-jell pads made specifically for burns (e.g., "Spenco Second Skin"). Change gauze pads each time you wash the area, more often if necessary. "Second skin" pads may be rehydrated with sterile saline and reused, if still clean.

Once the initial layer of scar tissue forms (no open wound visible), allow the burn to get as much air as possible. Air will speed healing. If the area will rub against clothing or could be contaminated with dirt, etc. cover it with gauze for protection. Avoid touching the branded portion of the skin with band-aid or tape adhesive.

As the burn heals, scabs will form. Do not scratch, pick at, or try to loosen scabs. If the itching is unbearable, use a pin to open a small hole in a vitamin E liquid capsule. Smooth the vitamin E oil over the area. Or use a minimal amount of an all-natural, hypoallergenic skin lotion. DO NOT use "anti-itch" creams, sprays, or liquids.

We recommend an extra 3000 mg of vitamin C, 50 mg of Zinc, and 400 mg of vitamin E daily during healing.

New scar tissue from a brand is often uncomfortably tight. Smooth vitamin E oil (or a lotion with vitamin E) on the (healed) scar. You may also use Ti Tree (aka Tea Tree) oil (which may help prevent keloids [raised, textured scars]).

Expect the brand to be red for several months. As it heals, each line will thicken to approximately 3 times its original width (the length will not change). The degree of scarring depends on your skin type, color, and texture. Dark skinned people tend to keloid more, but anyone can get keloid scars.

CUTTINGS, like brands, decorate the body through the development of scar tissue. The history of scarification goes back as far as humanity itself. Early humans made decorative cuts in their faces, arms, and bodies, often filling the cuts with earth, stones, and other materials to increase the size and height of the resulting scar. Many African tribes still follow these practices. Scarification may be used in place of a tattoo to place a design in the skin, or as a mark of a relationship. Cuttings are fairly common in dominant/submissive relationships.

A fresh cutting may be covered with tattoo ink, which leaves a lightly colored design when the skin is wiped clean. The color is usually not as prominent as with a tattoo and will remain only in the cutting, like an outline tattoo. As with brands, cuttings must be done under sterile conditions, by an experienced person. The cutting follows a design which transferred to the skin much as a tattoo design is. A new, sterile surgical scalpel blade is the preferred tool. The design is traced with the blade, from the bottom up, to prevent blood from obscuring the unfinished section. The cuts are made 1/8"-1/4" deep. Fleshy areas (thighs, upper arms, buttocks) are the safest locations for cuttings. The success of the scarification depends not only on the skill of the artist, but the skin type of the individual. The depth of the cut and the aftercare also play a major role. (Infections, for example, can lead to wide patches of dark scar tissue which will cover and outlast the cutting scar. Shallow cuttings will normally fade to invisibility within 12-24 months.

For heavy, clear markings it is often necessary to retrace the design two to four times, allowing each to fully heal between sessions. This ensures a well-formed scar.

Aftercare

1. Treat the new cutting as you would any open wound. Clean the cutting regularly with mild soap or a diluted solution of surgical scrub.
2. Apply a light film of antibiotic ointment after each cleaning, until the cuts no longer "weep" (max. 7 days).
3. Keep the area covered with gauze or a large band-aid until scabs form. If the area will be rubbed by clothes or is likely to get dirty, cover it with gauze or a band-aid while at work, etc. But expose it to air as much as possible.
4. Once scabs begin to form, keep the cutting clean and dry. Do not scratch or pick at the scabs. A mild skin lotion may be used to reduce itching. Avoid lotions with vitamin E; it retards formation of scars on cut-type wounds.
5. Vitamin C and zinc supplements are recommended (see Brand Aftercare, above). If you have an iron deficiency, take 50mg iron each day for two weeks. If possible, begin the iron supplement 1-2 weeks before the cutting.
6. The initial scar will be red, fading to pink (several weeks) then to gray or white (several months).
7. If the scar is not dark or prominent enough, the design may be retraced. Most people have to retrace their cuttings 2-4 times to obtain a clear, evenly visible cutting. Each additional cutting will darken and raise the design until the desired effect is obtained. On the other hand, a shallow cutting done only once will eventually fade out completely on most people. (Time and degree of fading depends on the individual's coloring and skin type.)

Implants are used by various cultures to enhance other forms of scarification or as a form of body modification in itself. Japanese men implanted pearls beneath the skin of the penis shaft, leaving a permanent "ribbed condom" effect. Many tribal cultures placed stones, earth, or other materials into facial and body cuttings to encourage raised, keloid-like scars. Implants with anything other than surgical materials (e.g. surgical titanium, silicon) are dangerous, due to the likelihood of infection and rejection of the material by the body. Surgical implants should be performed only by a licensed medical doctor. Implants by anyone without a medical degree may legally be a felony.

Amateur surgery is not recommended under any circumstances