I have been obsessed with Body Modification for a long time, since I was 10, but did not follow up on my desire until a few years ago. After my first tattoo, I was hooked (There is a joke there). After 3 tattoos, a few suspensions and other rituals, and a few piercing, it was inevitable that I would take the next step. I became obsessed with the idea of scarification, particularly branding.
At A Glance Author Kraz_Eric Contact Kraz_Eric@bme.anon IAM Kraz_Eric When A month ago Artist self done Studio Home Location Carl Junction, Missouri
I did a lot of research. I looked all over the net, contacted professionals, talked to friends of friends, looked in the BME FAQ's, and any where else I could think of. You see, there was no one around here to learn under. There had been a few people who had dabbled, but they really never did there research, and the results where not always that great. I tend to be a bit anal, and had to make sure I could get all I could. I wont guarantee all of the steps are the right ones, but they are the steps are found from others.
It was hard to get people to talk to me, it seems that those who have the knowledge, don't always want to share the Knowledge. That would change though once I had done the deed.
After about 6 months of research, I finally felt like I had found enough information to proceed. I had known what the design would be long before I knew that I was going to get a brand. It was to be an old Pagan symbol that represented the element of "Fire" on my left leg. There is a lot of meaning there, but I wont go into that.
I ordered a Cautery Pen from BME/Shop, and anxiously awaited its arrival. Once it did, I was ready. As I looked at it, a smile I could not repress crept onto my lips.
I shaved my leg, and set up a design transfer on some wax paper using a sharpie. I cleaned my leg using anti-bacterial soap, and used Bacitracine ointment for the transfer of the design. I'm not sure if this is the best way, but it was all I had. I put a fan blowing out the front door for the smell, and propped my leg against a table in case I jerked from the pain. I was ready!
As I begun, I noticed it lost heat almost immediately on contact to the skin, so I was unable to draw like using a pen, I had to do more of a brush stroke. It sort of hurt at first, but there was surprisingly little pain. I repositioned myself without bracing my leg, and went back to work. I lost myself in the process as my wife took pictures. I had to have something to post in BME About halfway through, my batteries went dead, and I had to change them. I rewashed my hands, and went back to work. I made the depth about 2/16 of an inch deep, and the width a little less than that. When I was done, I was ecstatic. I finally had done what I have wanted for so long.
It has been just over a month since I have done it. I have been removing the scab fairly regularly, the first time it came off in a single piece. I have been cleaning it with anti-bacterial soap twice a day. I have randomly irritated it with one of three things; Lemon juice, Vinegar, and Epson Salt. I use a small fingernail brush to rub it in. I have used lotion and a vitamin E and Jojoba oil mix to keep the surrounding skin healthy. I have made some mistakes. I used rubbing alcohol on it and realized how badly that dries it out. I also used Hydrogen Peroxide on it. That was a really bad move as it causes too strong of a reaction and turned the entire area red for several days. It has been going well otherwise.
I am not sure how much the scar will be raised, my body does not have a lot of keloid production, but the scaring has become noticeable already. I keep a regular update in my diary section on MY IAM PAGE . I have more planned, my next to be a strike brand, and I hope with some more experience and training to soon become a professional brander. I want to take Fakir's course on branding, and I already have several volunteers to practice on. I want to see how mine does first though. I am bit of a perfectionist, and although I can handle messing one up on myself, I could not allow myself to screw up on someone else. I also plan to buy a Thermal Cautery Unit soon.