Just like some other big name guy who shed blood for his followers, I shed blood for the readers of Modblog. People are complaining that Modblog isn’t updating and I wanted to help, but without new submissions to BME there is little for me to choose from. So instead of complaining or making excuses, I took action and used this lull in post as the encouragement I needed to get those godforsaken transdermals removed from my noggin.
First and foremost, I want to be clear I knew the risk going into the initial procedure and I realized the super low success rate of transdermals. Hell, I think the BME Encyclopedia entry on transdermal removal summed it up best.
All in all, because of the low success rate and complications, transdermal implants are one of the few procedures that BME recommends against — although we fully support people’s right to get them, if and only if they fully understand and accept the risks.It should also be noted that a variety of professionals are trying to solve the problems with transdermal implants.
I got my implants done by a highly reputable practitioner, whom I also consider a friend. As far as procedures go, it was as spot on as one could hope for. In fact, long time modbloggers may even remember this post Shannon made of them when they were brand new.
As is the case with most transdermals, they never actually healed. The wounds around the transdermal post oozed, well, pretty much constantly. The channels the implants were inserted in stayed seperated from the underlying tissue and bubbled up. Hair growth was nullified in a large circle around each of the implants……….and this is just what I dealt with in the first year.
I tried lots of remedies, some holistic, some horrific. I used everything from chamomile tea bag soaks to injecting alcohol around the transdermal stems to dry out the excess lymph. Nothing had any lasting affects. As the years went on the implants just got worse, most started migrating and the first one (as you can see in the before picture) rejected to the point of one foot coming completely through the skin.
While there has been no definitive study on the long term success rates of transdermal implants, 20% or less seems to be pretty accurate. I’d even go so far to assume that most of those will not last indefinitely and that a lot of the “successful” ones aren’t actually fully and properly healed.
I (speaking purely as myself, and not for BMEzine.com) feel that the transdermal implants, as we know them, have no place in modern body modification. The original design by Steve Haworth, was ground breaking and without that original design we may not have the microdermal anchor design that we have now. However, with the gray area legality of the implantation procedure and the unlikeliness of them properly healing, I just don’t see why they are still being commonly offered. Don’t get me wrong, if a practitioner wants to do some on a highly modded well informed client, I am not opposed, I just don’t see the point. However, the fact some practitioners will do these on any walk in client is an atrocity and a total F-You to our entire community.
One thing that I feel will certainly make transdermal implants obsolete is large gauge microdermals, such as those offered by Anatometal. With them offering micros up to an 8 gauge, that can be inserted with piercing techniques (no invasive surgery) and also removed far easier that transdermals, I just can’t see the need for an invasive and potentially illegal surgical procedure with a low success rate.
Anyhow, that’s my take on the subject, feel free to chime in your opinions on this topic in the comments. For a whole lot of photos from my transdermal removal procedure, keep on keeping on.
All photos, thanks to Robin Scott.
Have your own transdermal failure stories/pictures that you want to share? Email them to [email protected]
Comments
420 responses to “Why transdermals suck, by yours truly”
Thats awesome.
Thats awesome.
Thats awesome.
Thats awesome.
Just the other day you said that if we didn’t like how much the ModBlog was being updated that we should submit photos instead of complaining. Fair enough, but now you’re saying that there are no submissions at all, so I went and tried to submit my latest tattoos (which are quite nice and perhaps worthy of the ModBlog), but I can’t figure out how to do that, and I can not be the only one.
1. Is there any way to submit pictures for ModBlog?
2. When will ModBlog be updated like it used to be again?
3. Can we have an official date for when the BME is going to be back online? With Rachel going on her around the world tour I’m wondering if we will have to wait three months until she gets back? No offense, but we’ve been waiting a long time already.
It doesn’t have to be a submissions thing for the big new beta BME, but it might be nice if we could even just email you Shawn? Maybe your email address could be placed prominently here on the ModBlog, and even on the BME as well, so then at least you can keep updating the ModBlog.
Thank you for listening. I think if you do this everyone will be happier.
Just the other day you said that if we didn’t like how much the ModBlog was being updated that we should submit photos instead of complaining. Fair enough, but now you’re saying that there are no submissions at all, so I went and tried to submit my latest tattoos (which are quite nice and perhaps worthy of the ModBlog), but I can’t figure out how to do that, and I can not be the only one.
1. Is there any way to submit pictures for ModBlog?
2. When will ModBlog be updated like it used to be again?
3. Can we have an official date for when the BME is going to be back online? With Rachel going on her around the world tour I’m wondering if we will have to wait three months until she gets back? No offense, but we’ve been waiting a long time already.
It doesn’t have to be a submissions thing for the big new beta BME, but it might be nice if we could even just email you Shawn? Maybe your email address could be placed prominently here on the ModBlog, and even on the BME as well, so then at least you can keep updating the ModBlog.
Thank you for listening. I think if you do this everyone will be happier.
Just the other day you said that if we didn’t like how much the ModBlog was being updated that we should submit photos instead of complaining. Fair enough, but now you’re saying that there are no submissions at all, so I went and tried to submit my latest tattoos (which are quite nice and perhaps worthy of the ModBlog), but I can’t figure out how to do that, and I can not be the only one.
1. Is there any way to submit pictures for ModBlog?
2. When will ModBlog be updated like it used to be again?
3. Can we have an official date for when the BME is going to be back online? With Rachel going on her around the world tour I’m wondering if we will have to wait three months until she gets back? No offense, but we’ve been waiting a long time already.
It doesn’t have to be a submissions thing for the big new beta BME, but it might be nice if we could even just email you Shawn? Maybe your email address could be placed prominently here on the ModBlog, and even on the BME as well, so then at least you can keep updating the ModBlog.
Thank you for listening. I think if you do this everyone will be happier.
Just the other day you said that if we didn’t like how much the ModBlog was being updated that we should submit photos instead of complaining. Fair enough, but now you’re saying that there are no submissions at all, so I went and tried to submit my latest tattoos (which are quite nice and perhaps worthy of the ModBlog), but I can’t figure out how to do that, and I can not be the only one.
1. Is there any way to submit pictures for ModBlog?
2. When will ModBlog be updated like it used to be again?
3. Can we have an official date for when the BME is going to be back online? With Rachel going on her around the world tour I’m wondering if we will have to wait three months until she gets back? No offense, but we’ve been waiting a long time already.
It doesn’t have to be a submissions thing for the big new beta BME, but it might be nice if we could even just email you Shawn? Maybe your email address could be placed prominently here on the ModBlog, and even on the BME as well, so then at least you can keep updating the ModBlog.
Thank you for listening. I think if you do this everyone will be happier.
The worst, most painful thing I have witnessed was the removal of some transdermals on a sternum. Makes me cringe to this day to think about it. This made me relive it all over again. That is one big ouch.
The worst, most painful thing I have witnessed was the removal of some transdermals on a sternum. Makes me cringe to this day to think about it. This made me relive it all over again. That is one big ouch.
The worst, most painful thing I have witnessed was the removal of some transdermals on a sternum. Makes me cringe to this day to think about it. This made me relive it all over again. That is one big ouch.
The worst, most painful thing I have witnessed was the removal of some transdermals on a sternum. Makes me cringe to this day to think about it. This made me relive it all over again. That is one big ouch.
Super cool! Thanks for posting, Sean 🙂
Super cool! Thanks for posting, Sean 🙂
Super cool! Thanks for posting, Sean 🙂
Super cool! Thanks for posting, Sean 🙂
Been Rocking mine for 8 years
Been Rocking mine for 8 years
Been Rocking mine for 8 years
Been Rocking mine for 8 years
It seems obvious to not implant anything flat in a curved, rigid environment like this location. Or are the bases of the implants properly contoured?
It seems obvious to not implant anything flat in a curved, rigid environment like this location. Or are the bases of the implants properly contoured?
It seems obvious to not implant anything flat in a curved, rigid environment like this location. Or are the bases of the implants properly contoured?
It seems obvious to not implant anything flat in a curved, rigid environment like this location. Or are the bases of the implants properly contoured?
like said above, those holes look so gnarly.
and i TOTALLY agree that micros will become the new transdermals, been trying really hard to bug my piercer about picking up a pair of those 8ga micros that Anatometals putting out. though i have a feeling just like trans not working, micros seem to be just a sensitive with different areas and not be as successful, but only time will tell.
again, thank you for sharing, as stomach turning as it was it was still pleasing to see and learn about.
hope healing goes well
like said above, those holes look so gnarly.
and i TOTALLY agree that micros will become the new transdermals, been trying really hard to bug my piercer about picking up a pair of those 8ga micros that Anatometals putting out. though i have a feeling just like trans not working, micros seem to be just a sensitive with different areas and not be as successful, but only time will tell.
again, thank you for sharing, as stomach turning as it was it was still pleasing to see and learn about.
hope healing goes well
like said above, those holes look so gnarly.
and i TOTALLY agree that micros will become the new transdermals, been trying really hard to bug my piercer about picking up a pair of those 8ga micros that Anatometals putting out. though i have a feeling just like trans not working, micros seem to be just a sensitive with different areas and not be as successful, but only time will tell.
again, thank you for sharing, as stomach turning as it was it was still pleasing to see and learn about.
hope healing goes well
like said above, those holes look so gnarly.
and i TOTALLY agree that micros will become the new transdermals, been trying really hard to bug my piercer about picking up a pair of those 8ga micros that Anatometals putting out. though i have a feeling just like trans not working, micros seem to be just a sensitive with different areas and not be as successful, but only time will tell.
again, thank you for sharing, as stomach turning as it was it was still pleasing to see and learn about.
hope healing goes well
I have to admit I agree with you, at least for the most part. I have thought a fair bit about why the fail so much and what could be improved – however there are some factors that I feel you may not be taking into consideration.
a) Transdermals with 3-4 legs (not 2, like a microdermal as seen in the above photos) have a much higher success rate in terms of rejection, as they are able to ‘spread’ their pressure and hold – similar to I find anchors with larger holes and larger feet hold and heal better. They also heavily reduce rotation (like the one breaking through the skin) which helps dramatically in healing. They unfortunately do require a larger hole for insertion and can sometimes not be used in some locations.
b) Transdermals made of g23 titanaium (not 316 surgical steel, as many are) will help a substantial amount with the oozing and drying up of lymph, being a porous material it simply allows more breathing but is also much lighter. Not sure what your ones were, but a I think a good point to bring up either way.
c) Microdermals (even 8g ones) are still a semi-permanent piercing. I love how easy they are to insert/remove and you can do some very cool shit with them – however from my experience they do not work well at all in the scalp (a very popular transdermal placement) and do not allow for cool ‘novelty’ attachments (like big spikes, etc).
I think there is a place in the body mod world for TDs, however saying all of that – I have had a substantial amount of heavy body mods done over the years and have yet to get a transdermal because I totally agree.
They just are not evolved enough.
I have to admit I agree with you, at least for the most part. I have thought a fair bit about why the fail so much and what could be improved – however there are some factors that I feel you may not be taking into consideration.
a) Transdermals with 3-4 legs (not 2, like a microdermal as seen in the above photos) have a much higher success rate in terms of rejection, as they are able to ‘spread’ their pressure and hold – similar to I find anchors with larger holes and larger feet hold and heal better. They also heavily reduce rotation (like the one breaking through the skin) which helps dramatically in healing. They unfortunately do require a larger hole for insertion and can sometimes not be used in some locations.
b) Transdermals made of g23 titanaium (not 316 surgical steel, as many are) will help a substantial amount with the oozing and drying up of lymph, being a porous material it simply allows more breathing but is also much lighter. Not sure what your ones were, but a I think a good point to bring up either way.
c) Microdermals (even 8g ones) are still a semi-permanent piercing. I love how easy they are to insert/remove and you can do some very cool shit with them – however from my experience they do not work well at all in the scalp (a very popular transdermal placement) and do not allow for cool ‘novelty’ attachments (like big spikes, etc).
I think there is a place in the body mod world for TDs, however saying all of that – I have had a substantial amount of heavy body mods done over the years and have yet to get a transdermal because I totally agree.
They just are not evolved enough.
I have to admit I agree with you, at least for the most part. I have thought a fair bit about why the fail so much and what could be improved – however there are some factors that I feel you may not be taking into consideration.
a) Transdermals with 3-4 legs (not 2, like a microdermal as seen in the above photos) have a much higher success rate in terms of rejection, as they are able to ‘spread’ their pressure and hold – similar to I find anchors with larger holes and larger feet hold and heal better. They also heavily reduce rotation (like the one breaking through the skin) which helps dramatically in healing. They unfortunately do require a larger hole for insertion and can sometimes not be used in some locations.
b) Transdermals made of g23 titanaium (not 316 surgical steel, as many are) will help a substantial amount with the oozing and drying up of lymph, being a porous material it simply allows more breathing but is also much lighter. Not sure what your ones were, but a I think a good point to bring up either way.
c) Microdermals (even 8g ones) are still a semi-permanent piercing. I love how easy they are to insert/remove and you can do some very cool shit with them – however from my experience they do not work well at all in the scalp (a very popular transdermal placement) and do not allow for cool ‘novelty’ attachments (like big spikes, etc).
I think there is a place in the body mod world for TDs, however saying all of that – I have had a substantial amount of heavy body mods done over the years and have yet to get a transdermal because I totally agree.
They just are not evolved enough.
I have to admit I agree with you, at least for the most part. I have thought a fair bit about why the fail so much and what could be improved – however there are some factors that I feel you may not be taking into consideration.
a) Transdermals with 3-4 legs (not 2, like a microdermal as seen in the above photos) have a much higher success rate in terms of rejection, as they are able to ‘spread’ their pressure and hold – similar to I find anchors with larger holes and larger feet hold and heal better. They also heavily reduce rotation (like the one breaking through the skin) which helps dramatically in healing. They unfortunately do require a larger hole for insertion and can sometimes not be used in some locations.
b) Transdermals made of g23 titanaium (not 316 surgical steel, as many are) will help a substantial amount with the oozing and drying up of lymph, being a porous material it simply allows more breathing but is also much lighter. Not sure what your ones were, but a I think a good point to bring up either way.
c) Microdermals (even 8g ones) are still a semi-permanent piercing. I love how easy they are to insert/remove and you can do some very cool shit with them – however from my experience they do not work well at all in the scalp (a very popular transdermal placement) and do not allow for cool ‘novelty’ attachments (like big spikes, etc).
I think there is a place in the body mod world for TDs, however saying all of that – I have had a substantial amount of heavy body mods done over the years and have yet to get a transdermal because I totally agree.
They just are not evolved enough.
@Stan: The contour of the base doesn’t really have much affect over the healing as you would think, even in a curved area.
it would if it was a rigid long implant (like a rod), however being relatively short it’s not enough to cause substantial pressure on the surrounding tissue.
@Stan: The contour of the base doesn’t really have much affect over the healing as you would think, even in a curved area.
it would if it was a rigid long implant (like a rod), however being relatively short it’s not enough to cause substantial pressure on the surrounding tissue.
@Stan: The contour of the base doesn’t really have much affect over the healing as you would think, even in a curved area.
it would if it was a rigid long implant (like a rod), however being relatively short it’s not enough to cause substantial pressure on the surrounding tissue.
@Stan: The contour of the base doesn’t really have much affect over the healing as you would think, even in a curved area.
it would if it was a rigid long implant (like a rod), however being relatively short it’s not enough to cause substantial pressure on the surrounding tissue.
looks like a massive relief, thanks for posting!
looks like a massive relief, thanks for posting!
looks like a massive relief, thanks for posting!
looks like a massive relief, thanks for posting!
Where does bme girls keep going?
Where does bme girls keep going?
Where does bme girls keep going?
Where does bme girls keep going?
Good god, just imagining someone cutting into my scalp makes me cringe. I imagine there to be some sort of awful sound kind of like when you shave your head.
Good god, just imagining someone cutting into my scalp makes me cringe. I imagine there to be some sort of awful sound kind of like when you shave your head.
Good god, just imagining someone cutting into my scalp makes me cringe. I imagine there to be some sort of awful sound kind of like when you shave your head.
Good god, just imagining someone cutting into my scalp makes me cringe. I imagine there to be some sort of awful sound kind of like when you shave your head.
It sounded like someone cutting into cardboard with a scalpel.
It was…..interesting.
It sounded like someone cutting into cardboard with a scalpel.
It was…..interesting.