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.

When scarification goes bad

Update: First, the person in this procedure healed fine and is very happy. Second, I want to make it clear that while this procedure looks very intense, it’s probably less intense as a procedure than some large skin removal work, transscrotal piercings, implants, tongue splitting, and all the other procedures generally accepted by the body modification community.

Ok, this is a pretty gory entry. I apologize for that. But I think it’s important to emphasize that when you do large scale scarification (or sometimes small scale), sometimes the keloid grows out of control and starts getting very uncomfortable, restricting mobility, and so on. This piece was only about a month old in the photos below (it was done by a “well known body modification artist” who’s gonna stay unnamed because that’s not the point of the entry) and the customer was quite unhappy and wanted it dealt with.

Samppa Von Cyborg and Lukas Zpira got together to help him as much as they could. They felt that all of it was cut too deep, and did their best to excise the tissue, although the centre keloid was not removed (I’m assuming it was adhered right to the cartilage at bottom of the sternum). Starting with some exploratory cuts:

Mostly off and looking very gory:

As you can see, quite a chasm of tissue was removed! Check out the fatty tissue below:

Once stitched up, I can’t imagine how relived and happy the customer must have been. It’s a pretty intense removal, and a lot to go through, but Lukas and Samppa did a nice job restoring him… Hopefully the removal doesn’t have similar keloiding issues (sometimes it’s a problem that snowballs).

Finally, the gross out shot of the removed tissue:

Please take scarification seriously!!!

Comments

1,136 responses to “When scarification goes bad”

  1. Liza Avatar
    Liza

    Jesus!! Painful.

  2. Liza Avatar
    Liza

    Jesus!! Painful.

  3. Cam Avatar
    Cam

    Was he under any sort of local or anything? That would be some fucken intense pain if you werent. AND Wouldnt you see a plastic surgeon and get a job done that you know isnt going to end up as it before? They have cut deeper than the first set so something similar is gonna happen again….

  4. Cam Avatar
    Cam

    Was he under any sort of local or anything? That would be some fucken intense pain if you werent. AND Wouldnt you see a plastic surgeon and get a job done that you know isnt going to end up as it before? They have cut deeper than the first set so something similar is gonna happen again….

  5. ale Avatar
    ale

    enfermos de mierda!!!

  6. ale Avatar
    ale

    enfermos de mierda!!!

  7. anonymous Avatar
    anonymous

    i think it’s utter shit you have the nerve to NOT tell us who did this so we can avoid them like the plague. fuck you, shannon.

  8. anonymous Avatar
    anonymous

    i think it’s utter shit you have the nerve to NOT tell us who did this so we can avoid them like the plague. fuck you, shannon.

  9. madmophead Avatar
    madmophead

    well i dont really see what the fuss is about really

    yes they are very big keloids, and they were puting him in enough serious discomfort that he wanted them removed, so i assume he went to people who he could trust and know what they are doing rather than an unknown face. i know for a fact that i would go to my modification aritists about a misshap before i had anything done by anyone i didnt know, and if the artists were happy to carry out the procedure, and had the right know how and abiltiy to do it, then so they should 🙂

    it was entirerly his desision, (sp) so i dont see why all the hate to bme and the people that removed the keliods

    people should stop judging from behind their monitors

    btw i love modblog, soo pleeease never change it shannon 🙂

  10. madmophead Avatar
    madmophead

    well i dont really see what the fuss is about really

    yes they are very big keloids, and they were puting him in enough serious discomfort that he wanted them removed, so i assume he went to people who he could trust and know what they are doing rather than an unknown face. i know for a fact that i would go to my modification aritists about a misshap before i had anything done by anyone i didnt know, and if the artists were happy to carry out the procedure, and had the right know how and abiltiy to do it, then so they should 🙂

    it was entirerly his desision, (sp) so i dont see why all the hate to bme and the people that removed the keliods

    people should stop judging from behind their monitors

    btw i love modblog, soo pleeease never change it shannon 🙂

  11. Black_Rose Avatar
    Black_Rose

    Wow. All this heated discussion. I confess I made it through 2/3 of the total posts before deciding to say my little piece. I won’t bother listing my personal qualifications here as it doesn’t seem to matter tho those opposed to outside-the-system procedures, and those who know me personally know my experience.

    I just want to say that I have seen many similar procedures done–on people, animals, on corpses (long story), both within and outside of licensed facilities and done by licensed and unlicensed practitioners. These pictures have illustrated one of the best dermal repair procedures I have ever witnessed, bar none. The healthy tissue excised was minimal, and only enough to ensure healthy tissue-to-healthy-tissue suturing, and exactly as much subdermal excision to ensure no old scar tissue or dermis remained beneath the repair, where it would be trapped and encyst or ulcerate. The lack of excessive bleeding was impressive, as it clearly showed that nothing bigger than large capillary tissue was severed, and that no deep neural structures suffered damage. The fact that dermal mattress suturing was done before epidermal standard sutures clearly shows knowledge and care for cosmetic effects of scarring as well as an understanding of dermal repair stresses. Many similar repairs are regularly stapled, giving a less than aesthetic healed appearance. All in all, this work was done as well or better than a cosmetic surgeon could have done, and the aftercare and support of wound care was outstanding. This person got better care than most people getting extensive facial reconstruction get on a regular basis, not to mention that less care is usually taken with torso repairs than facial ones.

    I don’t care who did it, or where, or what official stamp was given or withheld for the procedure and it’s participants, this was a bit of well-crafted artistry in flesh repair. I am sorry he had to endure such keloiding from his original procedure for as long as it took to find a solution. I am pleased that he found someone he was happy with to fix it, and that the outcome was everything he wished for it to be.

    I am pleased that the before photos are available to see what one possible outcome of a scarification technique can be, and that the corrective measures were shown as well, as clear potential consequences are always a help in making decisions.

    Thank you.

  12. Black_Rose Avatar
    Black_Rose

    Wow. All this heated discussion. I confess I made it through 2/3 of the total posts before deciding to say my little piece. I won’t bother listing my personal qualifications here as it doesn’t seem to matter tho those opposed to outside-the-system procedures, and those who know me personally know my experience.

    I just want to say that I have seen many similar procedures done–on people, animals, on corpses (long story), both within and outside of licensed facilities and done by licensed and unlicensed practitioners. These pictures have illustrated one of the best dermal repair procedures I have ever witnessed, bar none. The healthy tissue excised was minimal, and only enough to ensure healthy tissue-to-healthy-tissue suturing, and exactly as much subdermal excision to ensure no old scar tissue or dermis remained beneath the repair, where it would be trapped and encyst or ulcerate. The lack of excessive bleeding was impressive, as it clearly showed that nothing bigger than large capillary tissue was severed, and that no deep neural structures suffered damage. The fact that dermal mattress suturing was done before epidermal standard sutures clearly shows knowledge and care for cosmetic effects of scarring as well as an understanding of dermal repair stresses. Many similar repairs are regularly stapled, giving a less than aesthetic healed appearance. All in all, this work was done as well or better than a cosmetic surgeon could have done, and the aftercare and support of wound care was outstanding. This person got better care than most people getting extensive facial reconstruction get on a regular basis, not to mention that less care is usually taken with torso repairs than facial ones.

    I don’t care who did it, or where, or what official stamp was given or withheld for the procedure and it’s participants, this was a bit of well-crafted artistry in flesh repair. I am sorry he had to endure such keloiding from his original procedure for as long as it took to find a solution. I am pleased that he found someone he was happy with to fix it, and that the outcome was everything he wished for it to be.

    I am pleased that the before photos are available to see what one possible outcome of a scarification technique can be, and that the corrective measures were shown as well, as clear potential consequences are always a help in making decisions.

    Thank you.

  13. Bradly Avatar
    Bradly

    “I don’t care who did it, or where, or what official stamp was given or withheld for the procedure and it’s participants, this was a bit of well-crafted artistry in flesh repair” Posted by Black_Rose
    Yes and there are people out there who can perform closset abortions and the chick walks away just fine.But then again someones daughter is left dead in a closset somewhere …
    They may have the naturaul or hard worked skills to perform this work but what the fuck are you going to say to the person who ends really fucked up by a bad procedure …by someone who see’s this post reads ur shit an says it all good lets do it Then when the shit hits the fan theperson makes fuckin national news and now all this kind of stuff gets outlawed …
    & “and the aftercare and support of wound care was outstanding. This person got better care than most people getting extensive facial reconstruction get on a regular basis, not to mention that less care is usually taken with torso repairs than facial ones.”
    i cant find any fucking place here onthispost where they covered the aftercare and support not a single fuckin word…
    “Please take scarification seriously!!! ” I ditto that plz read and re-read up on pre/aftercare

  14. Bradly Avatar
    Bradly

    “I don’t care who did it, or where, or what official stamp was given or withheld for the procedure and it’s participants, this was a bit of well-crafted artistry in flesh repair” Posted by Black_Rose
    Yes and there are people out there who can perform closset abortions and the chick walks away just fine.But then again someones daughter is left dead in a closset somewhere …
    They may have the naturaul or hard worked skills to perform this work but what the fuck are you going to say to the person who ends really fucked up by a bad procedure …by someone who see’s this post reads ur shit an says it all good lets do it Then when the shit hits the fan theperson makes fuckin national news and now all this kind of stuff gets outlawed …
    & “and the aftercare and support of wound care was outstanding. This person got better care than most people getting extensive facial reconstruction get on a regular basis, not to mention that less care is usually taken with torso repairs than facial ones.”
    i cant find any fucking place here onthispost where they covered the aftercare and support not a single fuckin word…
    “Please take scarification seriously!!! ” I ditto that plz read and re-read up on pre/aftercare

  15. socialcoma Avatar
    socialcoma

    538 posts has got to be some sort of record. So did the guy survive or what?

  16. socialcoma Avatar
    socialcoma

    538 posts has got to be some sort of record. So did the guy survive or what?

  17. Paul Avatar
    Paul

    Holy Crap Dude! It looks like a scene from the Alien movie!

    Personal Log of Leuitenant Ellen Ripley:

    “Test subject showed strong reaction to Alien Parasitic infection….death occured at 17:00:00 hours….beginning
    autopsy…..”

  18. Paul Avatar
    Paul

    Holy Crap Dude! It looks like a scene from the Alien movie!

    Personal Log of Leuitenant Ellen Ripley:

    “Test subject showed strong reaction to Alien Parasitic infection….death occured at 17:00:00 hours….beginning
    autopsy…..”

  19. ELY M. Avatar

    visitng a surgeon can be costly.
    It cost around $800 to $900 for my small surgery.
    lucky, My ins company ate it.

    Now, Im considering on having a scarification artist do more of my surgeries. mostly skin cut and stitching.

  20. ELY M. Avatar

    visitng a surgeon can be costly.
    It cost around $800 to $900 for my small surgery.
    lucky, My ins company ate it.

    Now, Im considering on having a scarification artist do more of my surgeries. mostly skin cut and stitching.

  21. Bradly Avatar
    Bradly

    Now, Im considering on having a scarification artist do more of my surgeries. mostly skin cut and stitching.

    Posted by ELY M.
    Brian Decker would be a top choice .from myslef to my friends we all say that he should be a a surgeon ( I have a top heart surgeaon friend and Brian has the hands and the skills if he desired to go through the schooling. His hand is rock steady smooth and his cut depth is right on mark and even throughout his whole work area.and he happens to be really cOOl and very patient ~_0

  22. Bradly Avatar
    Bradly

    Now, Im considering on having a scarification artist do more of my surgeries. mostly skin cut and stitching.

    Posted by ELY M.
    Brian Decker would be a top choice .from myslef to my friends we all say that he should be a a surgeon ( I have a top heart surgeaon friend and Brian has the hands and the skills if he desired to go through the schooling. His hand is rock steady smooth and his cut depth is right on mark and even throughout his whole work area.and he happens to be really cOOl and very patient ~_0

  23. ps Avatar
    ps

    i think he is a dum ass for letting that happen to him self body mod is for dum asses

  24. ps Avatar
    ps

    i think he is a dum ass for letting that happen to him self body mod is for dum asses

  25. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    # 542, If you think that then why are you one here?

  26. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    # 542, If you think that then why are you one here?

  27. Micah Avatar
    Micah

    “i think he is a dum ass for letting that happen to him self body mod is for dum asses”
    ps on July 8th, 2007 at 9:31 am

    I think it’s pretty damn clear who the “dum” ass here is, ps. And since you’re obviously too much of a simp to get the joke… it’s YOU.

  28. Micah Avatar
    Micah

    “i think he is a dum ass for letting that happen to him self body mod is for dum asses”
    ps on July 8th, 2007 at 9:31 am

    I think it’s pretty damn clear who the “dum” ass here is, ps. And since you’re obviously too much of a simp to get the joke… it’s YOU.

  29. Exploding Boy Avatar
    Exploding Boy

    Globally thousands of people die or suffer various degrees of harm each year because of procedures — both decorative/ritual and therapeutic — performed by insufficiently trained practitioners working in less than ideal conditions. The procedures don’t even have to be particularly “intense” or “difficult.” Every year Xhosa boys in Africa die or suffer irreperable harm from botched circumcisions performed by traditional practitioners in secluded settings. People die or are permanently scarred by improperly trained surgeons performing discount cosmetic surgeries in Mexico. In America, people have died from silicone injections performed by hacks in apartments and warehouses.

    When I go for a decorative procedure, a tattoo or piercing for example, I choose a practitioner because I believe them to be properly trained and qualified. The same applies to therapeutic procedures: I go to a professional acupuncturist for needles, not a body piercer.

    Surely no one is arguing that body modification practitioners, artists and business people first and foremost, should — legally, morally or ethically — be practicing medicine?

  30. Exploding Boy Avatar
    Exploding Boy

    Globally thousands of people die or suffer various degrees of harm each year because of procedures — both decorative/ritual and therapeutic — performed by insufficiently trained practitioners working in less than ideal conditions. The procedures don’t even have to be particularly “intense” or “difficult.” Every year Xhosa boys in Africa die or suffer irreperable harm from botched circumcisions performed by traditional practitioners in secluded settings. People die or are permanently scarred by improperly trained surgeons performing discount cosmetic surgeries in Mexico. In America, people have died from silicone injections performed by hacks in apartments and warehouses.

    When I go for a decorative procedure, a tattoo or piercing for example, I choose a practitioner because I believe them to be properly trained and qualified. The same applies to therapeutic procedures: I go to a professional acupuncturist for needles, not a body piercer.

    Surely no one is arguing that body modification practitioners, artists and business people first and foremost, should — legally, morally or ethically — be practicing medicine?

  31. TaZoL Avatar
    TaZoL

    My Fucking Goddess!!! I wouldn’t like to be in his shoes!!!
    I think, that the 7th and 8th pictures deserved a “disgusting +” score!!!

  32. TaZoL Avatar
    TaZoL

    My Fucking Goddess!!! I wouldn’t like to be in his shoes!!!
    I think, that the 7th and 8th pictures deserved a “disgusting +” score!!!

  33. beata Avatar
    beata

    interesting…lot of pain
    OUCH MEN

  34. beata Avatar
    beata

    interesting…lot of pain
    OUCH MEN

  35. ELY M. Avatar

    Do Brian Decker have his own website? if so, what is his url?

  36. ELY M. Avatar

    Do Brian Decker have his own website? if so, what is his url?

  37. Bastian Avatar

    @ELY_M: http://www.purebodyarts.com – that`s his shop site.

  38. Bastian Avatar

    @ELY_M: http://www.purebodyarts.com – that`s his shop site.

  39. drcinical Avatar
    drcinical

    cool, now everyone’s a surgeon

  40. drcinical Avatar
    drcinical

    cool, now everyone’s a surgeon

  41. Stephanie Rossman Avatar

    HI there,

    I’m curious how you kept him free of infection? There’s not sterile field to speak of and clearly this kind of thing is done often – how do you prevent an infection? thanks

  42. Stephanie Rossman Avatar

    HI there,

    I’m curious how you kept him free of infection? There’s not sterile field to speak of and clearly this kind of thing is done often – how do you prevent an infection? thanks

  43. moo:) Avatar
    moo:)

    GWB..your a fucking retard douche cunt fucker! yeah i said it, let these people say what they fucking want without you fucking sayin shit about it!!! everyone is intitiled to their own FUCKING opinion, so fuck off, let the nice people have a goodtime, nice life.. while you go ass rape your dog! you have problems man, i think that guy was right, get off the meth.. or get a girlfriend so you dont have to jack off all the time!!

  44. moo:) Avatar
    moo:)

    GWB..your a fucking retard douche cunt fucker! yeah i said it, let these people say what they fucking want without you fucking sayin shit about it!!! everyone is intitiled to their own FUCKING opinion, so fuck off, let the nice people have a goodtime, nice life.. while you go ass rape your dog! you have problems man, i think that guy was right, get off the meth.. or get a girlfriend so you dont have to jack off all the time!!

  45. Tapsa Avatar
    Tapsa

    It might be too late for this comment since this seem to have become just a list of insults between people with different views but if some of the persons originally involved is still reading I would like to know _what_ went originally wrong (I do not see to find posts with this informations, but the list is so long and I apologize if that has already been said).

    I mean, was the original work too deep? I don’t think so as deep cut usully scar inset rather than raised. Did the scar get somehow infected during healing? Or is it just genetic? In this case would it make sense for people involved into this kind of mod to have a small cut at first the same way as people get small tattoo to test whether they are allergic to ink before doing the big work or does any cut scar differently even on the same person?

    Muuten, en ole suomalainen mutta ymmarran suomea…ja ranskaa, siis ei tarvitse kirjoitta englanniksi…

  46. Tapsa Avatar
    Tapsa

    It might be too late for this comment since this seem to have become just a list of insults between people with different views but if some of the persons originally involved is still reading I would like to know _what_ went originally wrong (I do not see to find posts with this informations, but the list is so long and I apologize if that has already been said).

    I mean, was the original work too deep? I don’t think so as deep cut usully scar inset rather than raised. Did the scar get somehow infected during healing? Or is it just genetic? In this case would it make sense for people involved into this kind of mod to have a small cut at first the same way as people get small tattoo to test whether they are allergic to ink before doing the big work or does any cut scar differently even on the same person?

    Muuten, en ole suomalainen mutta ymmarran suomea…ja ranskaa, siis ei tarvitse kirjoitta englanniksi…

  47. its-raining-blood Avatar
    its-raining-blood

    Firstly all you people saying that he should have gone to a doctor.. are fucktards who have no clue what they are talking about.
    If that were me I would have done the same thing [gone to Lukas and Samppa. The reason for this is simple..It was a scarification procedure in the first place and as Lukas and Samppa are experts in this feild it makes sense and would have stayed in contact for a length of time, and secondly if he’d gone to a doctor it would have been some outrageous cost and they would have jsut fixed and ditched him with maybe one check up. So basically I think he did the right thing.

  48. its-raining-blood Avatar
    its-raining-blood

    Firstly all you people saying that he should have gone to a doctor.. are fucktards who have no clue what they are talking about.
    If that were me I would have done the same thing [gone to Lukas and Samppa. The reason for this is simple..It was a scarification procedure in the first place and as Lukas and Samppa are experts in this feild it makes sense and would have stayed in contact for a length of time, and secondly if he’d gone to a doctor it would have been some outrageous cost and they would have jsut fixed and ditched him with maybe one check up. So basically I think he did the right thing.

  49. julio Avatar
    julio

    mierda q asco

  50. julio Avatar
    julio

    mierda q asco

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