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.

Cutting Gone Wrong


Acts of body modification, even when performed by experienced professionals, can still have unpredictable results, and even the best-laid plans can go unexpectedly awry. Such was the case for this gentleman above, who, following a cutting, thought he was well upon his way into healing when things took an unfortunate turn.

This just goes to show you, even in a sterile environment and with proper aftercare, things can still go wrong. I followed precise aftercare, cleaning and re-dressing my wound 2-3 times a day, etc. Everything was going great until the seventh day of healing, when I developed two small pink areas. Talking to my artist via phone (who will go unnamed) we discussed the possibility of a heat rash but he wouldn’t know until he saw it in person and told me to stop wrapping it. I woke up the next morning and I saw what you see in the photo, which took about only nine hours to develop. Needless to say, I’m now taking two types of antibiotics, four pills a day; hopefully it will clear up soon. I can’t help but feel bummed because less than two days ago, everything looked perfect. Over the years, this is my first body modification to ever go wrong or become infected.

See more in Misc. Cuttings (Scarification)

Comments

110 responses to “Cutting Gone Wrong”

  1. Tara Avatar
    Tara

    Looks to me like it was being wrapped in saran wrap or some other plastic wrap, and if that was being done over a week, I would be surprised if there wasn’t a problem. Wrapping a tattoo or scar in plastic wrap creates an environment for bacteria to flourish!

  2. Tara Avatar
    Tara

    Looks to me like it was being wrapped in saran wrap or some other plastic wrap, and if that was being done over a week, I would be surprised if there wasn’t a problem. Wrapping a tattoo or scar in plastic wrap creates an environment for bacteria to flourish!

  3. Quality Avatar

    Gah,

    Now dont you all look like a bunch of silly fucks saying “ohhh reaction to adhesives”, “ohh doctors are lazy.”

    It was properly diagnosed as an infection. Clearly, labeling this as a freak occurrence after a professional (arguable) procedure is misleading.

  4. Quality Avatar

    Gah,

    Now dont you all look like a bunch of silly fucks saying “ohhh reaction to adhesives”, “ohh doctors are lazy.”

    It was properly diagnosed as an infection. Clearly, labeling this as a freak occurrence after a professional (arguable) procedure is misleading.

  5. Magdalena Avatar

    looks quite similar to what happened to my scars when i had them wrapped in saran wrap secured with a plastic medical-grade tape (during the summer, too, so i was overheated and sweaty most of the time) – though when i left them unwrapped for a day at a time the rash would disappear. just me two cents.

  6. Magdalena Avatar

    looks quite similar to what happened to my scars when i had them wrapped in saran wrap secured with a plastic medical-grade tape (during the summer, too, so i was overheated and sweaty most of the time) – though when i left them unwrapped for a day at a time the rash would disappear. just me two cents.

  7. nope Avatar
    nope

    So this is fungal and bacterial? Is the redness and bumps the fungus? I’ve never seen something get bacterially infected in splotches like that – where its so far from the actual cutting.

    I hope you’re feeling better and healing well. It’s also nice to know it wasn’t due to the artist and I think it was nice of you to clarify. Good luck!

  8. nope Avatar
    nope

    So this is fungal and bacterial? Is the redness and bumps the fungus? I’ve never seen something get bacterially infected in splotches like that – where its so far from the actual cutting.

    I hope you’re feeling better and healing well. It’s also nice to know it wasn’t due to the artist and I think it was nice of you to clarify. Good luck!

  9. AmiiMetalFace Avatar
    AmiiMetalFace

    Awww 🙁
    In the words of Rabbie Burns, The best laid plans of mice and men gang aft agley.
    Basically what Jordan said but uberScottish. xD

    I hope they heal well!

  10. AmiiMetalFace Avatar
    AmiiMetalFace

    Awww 🙁
    In the words of Rabbie Burns, The best laid plans of mice and men gang aft agley.
    Basically what Jordan said but uberScottish. xD

    I hope they heal well!

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