A black-and-white photo of a person mid-air in a Superman-style body suspension pose, supported by multiple hooks in their back and legs, smiling joyfully toward the camera. They are suspended horizontally in a large indoor space with high ceilings and visible rigging. A group of onlookers—some seated, some standing—watch with expressions of admiration, amusement, and support. The atmosphere is lively and communal, capturing a moment of shared experience and transformation.

Dermal Abrasion Scarification

Along with chemical scarification (more info), dermabrasion scarification (more info) — literally what it sounds like; the creation of a scar by using abrasive tools to grind off the skin — is one of the rarest forms of body modification. It is almost always DIY or otherwise done outside of a studio, and very little information exists on its results, controllability, and general viability. Here’s Amanda M. giving it a try on a friend in Carnegie, PA. Watch the BME galleries for healed results later I hope.

Comments

24 responses to “Dermal Abrasion Scarification”

  1. Kustom Chris Avatar

    judging from the close up photos, it wasn’t abrasive enough….

  2. Kustom Chris Avatar

    judging from the close up photos, it wasn’t abrasive enough….

  3. Shannon Larratt Avatar

    I’m worried as well that it wasn’t deep enough to be permanent, but at the same time, I’ve seen really shallow abrasive wounds (like school “sissy tests” and stuff like that) leave scars.

  4. Shannon Larratt Avatar

    I’m worried as well that it wasn’t deep enough to be permanent, but at the same time, I’ve seen really shallow abrasive wounds (like school “sissy tests” and stuff like that) leave scars.

  5. Katie Avatar
    Katie

    Cool, Carnegie. Pretty close to home. I have to agree about the “sissy” scars, too.

  6. Katie Avatar
    Katie

    Cool, Carnegie. Pretty close to home. I have to agree about the “sissy” scars, too.

  7. lilish Avatar
    lilish

    I wonder what the initials (?) inside the star are

  8. lilish Avatar
    lilish

    I wonder what the initials (?) inside the star are

  9. Tohnia Avatar
    Tohnia

    I noticed the initials also…I see a C and a P and maybe an I?

  10. Tohnia Avatar
    Tohnia

    I noticed the initials also…I see a C and a P and maybe an I?

  11. Leroy Avatar

    ICP?? Maybe someone is a fan of Insane clown posse.

  12. Leroy Avatar

    ICP?? Maybe someone is a fan of Insane clown posse.

  13. CreativeNonFiction Avatar

    That, to me, seems like it would be the most painful version of scarification.

  14. CreativeNonFiction Avatar

    That, to me, seems like it would be the most painful version of scarification.

  15. Skizzystarr Avatar
    Skizzystarr

    Holy hell!! Where are the gloves??!! Or are they “blood brothers?” Yikez!

  16. Skizzystarr Avatar
    Skizzystarr

    Holy hell!! Where are the gloves??!! Or are they “blood brothers?” Yikez!

  17. format_you_all Avatar
    format_you_all

    look mom, no gloves!!! 😀

  18. format_you_all Avatar
    format_you_all

    look mom, no gloves!!! 😀

  19. Noadi Avatar

    I’ve done this exact thing accidentally. I use a dremel rotary tool in my sculpting with diamond tipped bits (which is what that looks like) and I managed to get my hand a while back and even though it was only like half an inch it hurt so badly. It quite literally does grind away the skin, making it far worse than cutting with a sharp blade (or even a dull one). I can’t imagine doing it willingly. This guy must have a pain tolerance that’s just astronomical.

  20. Noadi Avatar

    I’ve done this exact thing accidentally. I use a dremel rotary tool in my sculpting with diamond tipped bits (which is what that looks like) and I managed to get my hand a while back and even though it was only like half an inch it hurt so badly. It quite literally does grind away the skin, making it far worse than cutting with a sharp blade (or even a dull one). I can’t imagine doing it willingly. This guy must have a pain tolerance that’s just astronomical.

  21. starspring Avatar
    starspring

    Yeah, no gloves? WTF? EEEWWWWWW!!!

  22. starspring Avatar
    starspring

    Yeah, no gloves? WTF? EEEWWWWWW!!!

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