So my first thought was, “wow, that’s a really great quality skin removal given that it’s DIY with a Swiss Army knife”… My second thought was, “YOU’RE CUTTING TOO DEEP! YOU’RE CUTTING TOO DEEP!”
Self-Cutting Meets Self-Scarification
Written by
Latest Tattoo, Piercing, and Body Modification News
- Skin and Strings: The Art of Human Puppetryby JonathonOne of the most powerful things about being at a convention like OSC is the sheer concentration of experience, creativity, and capability in one place. When you’re surrounded by people who not only understand the technical complexities of suspension but are excited by the challenge… Read more: Skin and Strings: The Art of Human Puppetry
- Twelve Points to the Skyby JonathonThere’s a particular kind of magic that happens at your first big suspension gathering when you arrive with nerves, an open heart, and the quiet hope of flight. Guided by the encouragement of mentor Lynn Loheide and driven by the quiet confidence of belonging, Alex… Read more: Twelve Points to the Sky
- Ontario SusCon 2025by JonathonIn March 2025, BME attended the Ontario Suspension Convention in Hamilton, hosted by the Kevin Donaghy and the Ontario Suspension Collective. We had the pleasure to take part and help document the event, but also run a booth to sell a bunch of old (but… Read more: Ontario SusCon 2025
- Welcome Back to Body Modification Ezineby NefDear BME Community, We’ve been gone far too long, but BME is back to give people a voice, a space, a community. With time everything evolves, and BME may be different than you remember. Our goal is to stay true to Shannon and Rachel’s values… Read more: Welcome Back to Body Modification Ezine
- BME Social Mediaby NefWord of mouth has been our method of reuniting the community, and it has brought a substantial amount of us together. I am inspired by your loyalty and I want to remind more people of BME’s existence. In 2020 we gained control over @bmezine on… Read more: BME Social Media
- BMEShopby NefDespite the hurricanes in 2015 which destroyed almost all of what Rachel owned, she managed to save the original inventory from BME. We have relisted some of the stock on BMEShop.com with the hopes you may be interested. Our first drop includes a selection of… Read more: BMEShop
Comments
138 responses to “Self-Cutting Meets Self-Scarification”
As someone who used to cut, you tend to know when you’re vulnerable and if you’re looking for a trigger, you’ll find one. The idea of a trigger entails actually holding a gun, so if you’re not loaded, being around a trigger isn’t going to do anything. But you don’t wander around with a gun and try to start a fight with someone if you aren’t looking to use it. Cutting can be compulsive, which is not the same thing as impulsive. If it was purely impulsive, then yes, these kinds of images alone might lead to cutting. But a compulsion is more internal and can exist independently of external forces and input. It’s not as simple as “don’t look at it” but it’s pretty damn close to “don’t go looking for it” if you really don’t want to cut yourself. And even then, it’s still their choice and I really think the majority of harmful cutting is stimulated by everyday environment and events and minutely, if at all, by pictures on the internet. I come to this site all the time and the images never make me go slice myself. I actually find them calming and comforting because there is something so devastatingly lonely and isolating about being someone who has self-injured, that being able to see evidence of other people feeling the same way is soothing rather than stimulating. No need to hide the scars, whoo, that is a powerful feeling and so much stronger than the urge to make more. Of course, not everyone cuts for the same reasons, under the same conditions, or the same way and this is only my input from someone who has been there.
And you don’t draw the line between self-harm and ritual. There are elements of both anytime you choose to modify your body and only the individual can know where their feelings are taking them. You don’t need to draw a line, except, perhaps, for yourself. The urge to destroy and the urge to create are often two sides of the same coin and banning one could very well quell the other and that isn’t a sacrifice that I think is necessary. Self destruction, while damaging, is also often very instructional and I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I hadn’t gone through the things I have and it has made me stronger, more understanding, and more open. I wouldn’t trade those qualities for anything, even if it means I’d have a lot fewer nasty memories and scars. It’s self education.
There is a unique rush and release with pain and perhaps the scarification alone wasn’t bringing the intended feelings and so a final jab was needed to complete the experience, which, to me, doesn’t sound like a cry for help. And considering this is anonymous, it’d be a shitty cry for help anyway.
But I hope they’re okay too and that they accomplished what they needed, what they wanted with this, and if they did, fuck what anyone else has to say (me included)
As someone who used to cut, you tend to know when you’re vulnerable and if you’re looking for a trigger, you’ll find one. The idea of a trigger entails actually holding a gun, so if you’re not loaded, being around a trigger isn’t going to do anything. But you don’t wander around with a gun and try to start a fight with someone if you aren’t looking to use it. Cutting can be compulsive, which is not the same thing as impulsive. If it was purely impulsive, then yes, these kinds of images alone might lead to cutting. But a compulsion is more internal and can exist independently of external forces and input. It’s not as simple as “don’t look at it” but it’s pretty damn close to “don’t go looking for it” if you really don’t want to cut yourself. And even then, it’s still their choice and I really think the majority of harmful cutting is stimulated by everyday environment and events and minutely, if at all, by pictures on the internet. I come to this site all the time and the images never make me go slice myself. I actually find them calming and comforting because there is something so devastatingly lonely and isolating about being someone who has self-injured, that being able to see evidence of other people feeling the same way is soothing rather than stimulating. No need to hide the scars, whoo, that is a powerful feeling and so much stronger than the urge to make more. Of course, not everyone cuts for the same reasons, under the same conditions, or the same way and this is only my input from someone who has been there.
And you don’t draw the line between self-harm and ritual. There are elements of both anytime you choose to modify your body and only the individual can know where their feelings are taking them. You don’t need to draw a line, except, perhaps, for yourself. The urge to destroy and the urge to create are often two sides of the same coin and banning one could very well quell the other and that isn’t a sacrifice that I think is necessary. Self destruction, while damaging, is also often very instructional and I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I hadn’t gone through the things I have and it has made me stronger, more understanding, and more open. I wouldn’t trade those qualities for anything, even if it means I’d have a lot fewer nasty memories and scars. It’s self education.
There is a unique rush and release with pain and perhaps the scarification alone wasn’t bringing the intended feelings and so a final jab was needed to complete the experience, which, to me, doesn’t sound like a cry for help. And considering this is anonymous, it’d be a shitty cry for help anyway.
But I hope they’re okay too and that they accomplished what they needed, what they wanted with this, and if they did, fuck what anyone else has to say (me included)
lalala – Whether or not this person has an illness is none of our business.
I know that there are illnesses out there that make people disfigure their body but I’m willing to look at the mod for what it is – a mod. I don’t want or need to think about the mental status of the person in the picture. It’s like the girl who had slut tattooed all over her body. Maybe she has issues or maybe she doesn’t – I’ll accept her either way.
lalala – Whether or not this person has an illness is none of our business.
I know that there are illnesses out there that make people disfigure their body but I’m willing to look at the mod for what it is – a mod. I don’t want or need to think about the mental status of the person in the picture. It’s like the girl who had slut tattooed all over her body. Maybe she has issues or maybe she doesn’t – I’ll accept her either way.
ErosAndMe, thank you; you’ve given me a lot to think about & I appreciate you sharing your experiences so eloquently.
Casey, we’re going to have to agree to disagree. The reasons & motivations behind why people do what they do interests me infinitely more than the end result. I’m not saying that it should matter to everyone, or that there’s anything wrong with taking mods at face value, just that it matters to me. (So I’m not even going to get started on how I feel about Michelle’s tattoos, I have to work in the morning & I would be here all night!)
ErosAndMe, thank you; you’ve given me a lot to think about & I appreciate you sharing your experiences so eloquently.
Casey, we’re going to have to agree to disagree. The reasons & motivations behind why people do what they do interests me infinitely more than the end result. I’m not saying that it should matter to everyone, or that there’s anything wrong with taking mods at face value, just that it matters to me. (So I’m not even going to get started on how I feel about Michelle’s tattoos, I have to work in the morning & I would be here all night!)
I have a 1″x.5″ scar on my thigh where, as a youth engaged in youthful model-making pursuits, i followed through on a cut and buried a Stanley knife into my quads.
No pain, no intention, with (luckily) no long-term consequences nor repercussions.
Intense luck.
If I’d taken a photograph, I hate to think what some of you would think of it.
The older I get, the more I wonder at the intolerance of even the most non-standard of cultures.
I have a 1″x.5″ scar on my thigh where, as a youth engaged in youthful model-making pursuits, i followed through on a cut and buried a Stanley knife into my quads.
No pain, no intention, with (luckily) no long-term consequences nor repercussions.
Intense luck.
If I’d taken a photograph, I hate to think what some of you would think of it.
The older I get, the more I wonder at the intolerance of even the most non-standard of cultures.
So.. how come no one talks about the mental state of any of the performance artists on this site or the people who attend the performances.
Those are essentially the same thing and noone starts a discussion on those.
So.. how come no one talks about the mental state of any of the performance artists on this site or the people who attend the performances.
Those are essentially the same thing and noone starts a discussion on those.
Beautiful.
Beautiful.
I’d be very surprised if any of the motives behind self stabbing (self-harm) were not already well documented and understood. Even if only as a form of catharsis it would be more than well realised.
I’d be very surprised if any of the motives behind self stabbing (self-harm) were not already well documented and understood. Even if only as a form of catharsis it would be more than well realised.
An experience is an experience. I don’t see why everyone thinks its such a huge deal, calling it an illness, or stupid, or irresponsible, whatever.
I bet there are people here who watch Tranny porn. I could easily ask “WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?” But I wouldn’t, because it’s not my preference, it’s yours.
Would I do this? No. Would many of you? No. But that doesn’t give anyone to judge or make assumptions.
It doesn’t matter because it’s not up to anyone here to decide whether or not someones mods or body play is stupid. They know their risks before they take them, and different experiences are worth different risks to different people. There is no set standard, we all have freedom enough to decide for ourselves.
Rather than debating on the morality or taboo of this, why can’t you look at it from its own logical standpoint: Someone did something that you don’t see often, and shared pictures of their experience with Mod Blog.
I think that’s beautiful enough to be appreciated.
An experience is an experience. I don’t see why everyone thinks its such a huge deal, calling it an illness, or stupid, or irresponsible, whatever.
I bet there are people here who watch Tranny porn. I could easily ask “WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?” But I wouldn’t, because it’s not my preference, it’s yours.
Would I do this? No. Would many of you? No. But that doesn’t give anyone to judge or make assumptions.
It doesn’t matter because it’s not up to anyone here to decide whether or not someones mods or body play is stupid. They know their risks before they take them, and different experiences are worth different risks to different people. There is no set standard, we all have freedom enough to decide for ourselves.
Rather than debating on the morality or taboo of this, why can’t you look at it from its own logical standpoint: Someone did something that you don’t see often, and shared pictures of their experience with Mod Blog.
I think that’s beautiful enough to be appreciated.
This is really interesting, and the discussion in here is also very interesting. I don’t think I would be brave enough to do this myself, but I wonder what the scar looks like now, healed.
This is really interesting, and the discussion in here is also very interesting. I don’t think I would be brave enough to do this myself, but I wonder what the scar looks like now, healed.
i admit now, i havent read every post in depth – but as i was reading more and more… i just wanted to put my thoughts down (or up).
Both me and my ex were self harmers, (not together, it just happened that we were that way inclined) and we each have personal reasons for doing different things to our bodies.
I have gone to a piercers before and paid to have my tongue pierced twice in one sitting, with the complete understanding and knowledge in my head that i was depressed and i needed that sort of release. (of course i never told this to me piercer) As far as i see it peoples choices and peoples reasons and intentions are personal and are their own. We are not here to say whats stupid and whats not.
So when you think about it, maybe i should have had screening to see if my piercing was intentional self-harm before it was done? or maybe that should remain personal?
The mental states that modified people have do interest me, i never considered suspension until my ex hung himself. And during my time of grief i wanted to be there – i wanted to have a suicide suspension, i still dont understand why – would it have been a form of self-harm? a punishment to myself, so i would feel his pain? or was it because i wanted to feel like i was spiritually as close as i could get to his last moments?
Who knows, because i dont, and id hope that noone would judge me, its the confusion/question, the search and the outcomes that join us – and that should be celebrated not looked down on.
We are here to share experiences, and the motives behind them – but we are not here to negativly judge and we definetly dont have a right to label something as stupid, because after everything, we will never have a complete understanding of each others minds.
Not that im saying anyones opinions are wrong, im only saying we can never generalise or lable something that can never be completely understood.
i admit now, i havent read every post in depth – but as i was reading more and more… i just wanted to put my thoughts down (or up).
Both me and my ex were self harmers, (not together, it just happened that we were that way inclined) and we each have personal reasons for doing different things to our bodies.
I have gone to a piercers before and paid to have my tongue pierced twice in one sitting, with the complete understanding and knowledge in my head that i was depressed and i needed that sort of release. (of course i never told this to me piercer) As far as i see it peoples choices and peoples reasons and intentions are personal and are their own. We are not here to say whats stupid and whats not.
So when you think about it, maybe i should have had screening to see if my piercing was intentional self-harm before it was done? or maybe that should remain personal?
The mental states that modified people have do interest me, i never considered suspension until my ex hung himself. And during my time of grief i wanted to be there – i wanted to have a suicide suspension, i still dont understand why – would it have been a form of self-harm? a punishment to myself, so i would feel his pain? or was it because i wanted to feel like i was spiritually as close as i could get to his last moments?
Who knows, because i dont, and id hope that noone would judge me, its the confusion/question, the search and the outcomes that join us – and that should be celebrated not looked down on.
We are here to share experiences, and the motives behind them – but we are not here to negativly judge and we definetly dont have a right to label something as stupid, because after everything, we will never have a complete understanding of each others minds.
Not that im saying anyones opinions are wrong, im only saying we can never generalise or lable something that can never be completely understood.
Clearly this is not a modification of any kind and the experience of harming and the subsequent endorphin release puts it in a category on par with the experience of self harmers. Suspension (unless I am much mistaken) has a variety of experiences but the hook insertion is surely not the primary reason many do it.
Unless, of course, there are other explanations for this.
This has more in common with joy-riding than piercing sadly.
Clearly this is not a modification of any kind and the experience of harming and the subsequent endorphin release puts it in a category on par with the experience of self harmers. Suspension (unless I am much mistaken) has a variety of experiences but the hook insertion is surely not the primary reason many do it.
Unless, of course, there are other explanations for this.
This has more in common with joy-riding than piercing sadly.
ohmygodohmygodohmygod.
😐
ohmygodohmygodohmygod.
😐
😀
I’d love to know what the scar looks like now.
Is it possible for you to get a picture of it healed?
😀
I’d love to know what the scar looks like now.
Is it possible for you to get a picture of it healed?
Any chance that something as triggering as this for cutters can be put behind a cut? I’m 4 years no cutting, have had lots of piercings, fun knife and blood play, and still find images like this distressing. The reason this is so particularly triggering is because of the tool used – I think a lot of us cutters started with swiss army knives given to us as presents by unsuspecting family/friends. Anyway, just a request.
Any chance that something as triggering as this for cutters can be put behind a cut? I’m 4 years no cutting, have had lots of piercings, fun knife and blood play, and still find images like this distressing. The reason this is so particularly triggering is because of the tool used – I think a lot of us cutters started with swiss army knives given to us as presents by unsuspecting family/friends. Anyway, just a request.
…sounds like reasonable request to me, if not for this post then at least for any similar future ones. But in Shannon’s world that would be interfering with your liberties; I’ve started this argument elsewhere so I’m not going to drag it up again here. Nay, just wanted to say congrats on the four years without cutting & hope that you continue to find the strength to stick to your decision. Peace.
…sounds like reasonable request to me, if not for this post then at least for any similar future ones. But in Shannon’s world that would be interfering with your liberties; I’ve started this argument elsewhere so I’m not going to drag it up again here. Nay, just wanted to say congrats on the four years without cutting & hope that you continue to find the strength to stick to your decision. Peace.
Where is this scar located? The blade on the Swiss Army kife shown is not that long, if in the right location and the rigth angle, the knife wouldn’t do much harm.
Where is this scar located? The blade on the Swiss Army kife shown is not that long, if in the right location and the rigth angle, the knife wouldn’t do much harm.
Hello,
I am a social work major and doing my Senior Thesis on self-cutting and intervention methods. I am looking for feedback from anyone who is an adolescent or cut during adolescents to share with me their experience with interventions. What worked? What didn’t work? Also any comments about how you were treated by professionals helping you. Names will not be used in my study. Please repost to blog or email me at [email protected]. Make subject self-cutting please. Thank you!
Hello,
I am a social work major and doing my Senior Thesis on self-cutting and intervention methods. I am looking for feedback from anyone who is an adolescent or cut during adolescents to share with me their experience with interventions. What worked? What didn’t work? Also any comments about how you were treated by professionals helping you. Names will not be used in my study. Please repost to blog or email me at [email protected]. Make subject self-cutting please. Thank you!
“It’s not a broken blade :)”
the twist is there is not a twist. people looked for a twist to make it not real but it is, there is a knife deep inside whatever is being “stabbed”.
and as for this persons motivation into doing this it is their own business people can complain call them stupid or an idiot, but i dnt think tht person gives a shit and they may be happy about it. they are expessing themselves in way they want to and is this any different from DEEP piercings i wouldn’t say it is, except for maybe the possibility of greater dangers so i think we should all enjoy the photo.
“It’s not a broken blade :)”
the twist is there is not a twist. people looked for a twist to make it not real but it is, there is a knife deep inside whatever is being “stabbed”.
and as for this persons motivation into doing this it is their own business people can complain call them stupid or an idiot, but i dnt think tht person gives a shit and they may be happy about it. they are expessing themselves in way they want to and is this any different from DEEP piercings i wouldn’t say it is, except for maybe the possibility of greater dangers so i think we should all enjoy the photo.
We live in a free country, don’t we? Anyway, years ago, tattoos were considered taboo, so who is anyone to decide whether or not such a practice is “crossing the line.” I’m kind of intruigued, myself….
We live in a free country, don’t we? Anyway, years ago, tattoos were considered taboo, so who is anyone to decide whether or not such a practice is “crossing the line.” I’m kind of intruigued, myself….