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”
Out of curiosity, injecting alcohol “to dry out the excess lymph”, it’s obviously not a common after care method, but has that been done before? Has it worked?
Out of curiosity, injecting alcohol “to dry out the excess lymph”, it’s obviously not a common after care method, but has that been done before? Has it worked?
this must have hurt like a motherfucker
this must have hurt like a motherfucker
this must have hurt like a motherfucker
this must have hurt like a motherfucker
i agree about tds/microdermals not healing on such tight tissue as in the head. the point with the 3-4 legs seem like the better bet for stability. i do have an 8g td in my forearm right below my elbow for about 7 years and hasn’t had a problem with it since i first got it. yes, if i snag it on something(very rare) it will get a little crusty the next day and it’s fine.
i agree about tds/microdermals not healing on such tight tissue as in the head. the point with the 3-4 legs seem like the better bet for stability. i do have an 8g td in my forearm right below my elbow for about 7 years and hasn’t had a problem with it since i first got it. yes, if i snag it on something(very rare) it will get a little crusty the next day and it’s fine.
i agree about tds/microdermals not healing on such tight tissue as in the head. the point with the 3-4 legs seem like the better bet for stability. i do have an 8g td in my forearm right below my elbow for about 7 years and hasn’t had a problem with it since i first got it. yes, if i snag it on something(very rare) it will get a little crusty the next day and it’s fine.
i agree about tds/microdermals not healing on such tight tissue as in the head. the point with the 3-4 legs seem like the better bet for stability. i do have an 8g td in my forearm right below my elbow for about 7 years and hasn’t had a problem with it since i first got it. yes, if i snag it on something(very rare) it will get a little crusty the next day and it’s fine.
rather strange question – did you have any anaesthetic during either procedure? *shrugs* something i always wondered.
other than the super ouwie and i hope the woundes heal easily…i think you have the happiest forward helix i’ve seen in a long time!! hope to hell mine heals that well!!
rather strange question – did you have any anaesthetic during either procedure? *shrugs* something i always wondered.
other than the super ouwie and i hope the woundes heal easily…i think you have the happiest forward helix i’ve seen in a long time!! hope to hell mine heals that well!!
rather strange question – did you have any anaesthetic during either procedure? *shrugs* something i always wondered.
other than the super ouwie and i hope the woundes heal easily…i think you have the happiest forward helix i’ve seen in a long time!! hope to hell mine heals that well!!
rather strange question – did you have any anaesthetic during either procedure? *shrugs* something i always wondered.
other than the super ouwie and i hope the woundes heal easily…i think you have the happiest forward helix i’ve seen in a long time!! hope to hell mine heals that well!!
I believe everything that Joeltron said to be 100% accurate. Most successful transdermals that are in existence today are clover transdermal designs or have been replaced with the clover design transdermals like those in JageRick’s forehead which I was lucky enough to be able assist on have been successful since the replacement with the new transdermals.
I believe everything that Joeltron said to be 100% accurate. Most successful transdermals that are in existence today are clover transdermal designs or have been replaced with the clover design transdermals like those in JageRick’s forehead which I was lucky enough to be able assist on have been successful since the replacement with the new transdermals.
I believe everything that Joeltron said to be 100% accurate. Most successful transdermals that are in existence today are clover transdermal designs or have been replaced with the clover design transdermals like those in JageRick’s forehead which I was lucky enough to be able assist on have been successful since the replacement with the new transdermals.
I believe everything that Joeltron said to be 100% accurate. Most successful transdermals that are in existence today are clover transdermal designs or have been replaced with the clover design transdermals like those in JageRick’s forehead which I was lucky enough to be able assist on have been successful since the replacement with the new transdermals.
Tell Steve Haworth that 80% of his transdermals reject. Sounds like questionable jewelry and questionable aftercare. Microdermals are definitely a better option for a lot of areas. The scalp is not one of them.
If you want facts on transdermals check out the link below it is Steve Haworth’s blog about them.
(Steve Haworth is the authority on Transdermals. Base your opinion on his not one piercer who couldn’t follow correct aftercare.)
http://www.stevehaworth.com/wordpress/index.php/archives/category/modify-blog/page/2
Tell Steve Haworth that 80% of his transdermals reject. Sounds like questionable jewelry and questionable aftercare. Microdermals are definitely a better option for a lot of areas. The scalp is not one of them.
If you want facts on transdermals check out the link below it is Steve Haworth’s blog about them.
(Steve Haworth is the authority on Transdermals. Base your opinion on his not one piercer who couldn’t follow correct aftercare.)
http://www.stevehaworth.com/wordpress/index.php/archives/category/modify-blog/page/2
Tell Steve Haworth that 80% of his transdermals reject. Sounds like questionable jewelry and questionable aftercare. Microdermals are definitely a better option for a lot of areas. The scalp is not one of them.
If you want facts on transdermals check out the link below it is Steve Haworth’s blog about them.
(Steve Haworth is the authority on Transdermals. Base your opinion on his not one piercer who couldn’t follow correct aftercare.)
http://www.stevehaworth.com/wordpress/index.php/archives/category/modify-blog/page/2
Tell Steve Haworth that 80% of his transdermals reject. Sounds like questionable jewelry and questionable aftercare. Microdermals are definitely a better option for a lot of areas. The scalp is not one of them.
If you want facts on transdermals check out the link below it is Steve Haworth’s blog about them.
(Steve Haworth is the authority on Transdermals. Base your opinion on his not one piercer who couldn’t follow correct aftercare.)
http://www.stevehaworth.com/wordpress/index.php/archives/category/modify-blog/page/2
I think that there hasn’t been many submissions to ModBlog or bmezine in general, solely because there hasn’t been much updating in the galleries. I think that it really deters people from submitting if they think that nothing will be done with their photos, or that they aren’t ‘worthy’ of being on ModBlog. On that point, I keep hearing about this ‘new’ BME happening but I still have no idea what will change? I may have missed a post explaining it, but I’ve seen more than one post saying it was about to happen with the launch date arriving and passing by with no change. So…is it?
On the subject of this post, I also wonder why they weren’t removed earlier if you’ve had such problems? That would just bug me, I’d have to get them out ASAP!
I think that there hasn’t been many submissions to ModBlog or bmezine in general, solely because there hasn’t been much updating in the galleries. I think that it really deters people from submitting if they think that nothing will be done with their photos, or that they aren’t ‘worthy’ of being on ModBlog. On that point, I keep hearing about this ‘new’ BME happening but I still have no idea what will change? I may have missed a post explaining it, but I’ve seen more than one post saying it was about to happen with the launch date arriving and passing by with no change. So…is it?
On the subject of this post, I also wonder why they weren’t removed earlier if you’ve had such problems? That would just bug me, I’d have to get them out ASAP!
I think that there hasn’t been many submissions to ModBlog or bmezine in general, solely because there hasn’t been much updating in the galleries. I think that it really deters people from submitting if they think that nothing will be done with their photos, or that they aren’t ‘worthy’ of being on ModBlog. On that point, I keep hearing about this ‘new’ BME happening but I still have no idea what will change? I may have missed a post explaining it, but I’ve seen more than one post saying it was about to happen with the launch date arriving and passing by with no change. So…is it?
On the subject of this post, I also wonder why they weren’t removed earlier if you’ve had such problems? That would just bug me, I’d have to get them out ASAP!
I think that there hasn’t been many submissions to ModBlog or bmezine in general, solely because there hasn’t been much updating in the galleries. I think that it really deters people from submitting if they think that nothing will be done with their photos, or that they aren’t ‘worthy’ of being on ModBlog. On that point, I keep hearing about this ‘new’ BME happening but I still have no idea what will change? I may have missed a post explaining it, but I’ve seen more than one post saying it was about to happen with the launch date arriving and passing by with no change. So…is it?
On the subject of this post, I also wonder why they weren’t removed earlier if you’ve had such problems? That would just bug me, I’d have to get them out ASAP!
Ekh: Logic would say that injecting alcohol to “to dry out the excess lymph” would fail. Alcohol dries things because it dissolves them and then evaporates. Injecting it would allow it to “dissolve” the lymph, but it wouldn’t have anywhere to go from there.
I don’t understand why either transdermals or microdermals should more difficult to heal than normal piercings. After all, you are trying to do similar things; you are trying to form some type of fistula (of a sort, since there’s only one entry/exit). Seems like it should be just as easy, or as hard, to heal as a very well-done surface piercing. …And probably as delicate.
Ekh: Logic would say that injecting alcohol to “to dry out the excess lymph” would fail. Alcohol dries things because it dissolves them and then evaporates. Injecting it would allow it to “dissolve” the lymph, but it wouldn’t have anywhere to go from there.
I don’t understand why either transdermals or microdermals should more difficult to heal than normal piercings. After all, you are trying to do similar things; you are trying to form some type of fistula (of a sort, since there’s only one entry/exit). Seems like it should be just as easy, or as hard, to heal as a very well-done surface piercing. …And probably as delicate.
Ekh: Logic would say that injecting alcohol to “to dry out the excess lymph” would fail. Alcohol dries things because it dissolves them and then evaporates. Injecting it would allow it to “dissolve” the lymph, but it wouldn’t have anywhere to go from there.
I don’t understand why either transdermals or microdermals should more difficult to heal than normal piercings. After all, you are trying to do similar things; you are trying to form some type of fistula (of a sort, since there’s only one entry/exit). Seems like it should be just as easy, or as hard, to heal as a very well-done surface piercing. …And probably as delicate.
Ekh: Logic would say that injecting alcohol to “to dry out the excess lymph” would fail. Alcohol dries things because it dissolves them and then evaporates. Injecting it would allow it to “dissolve” the lymph, but it wouldn’t have anywhere to go from there.
I don’t understand why either transdermals or microdermals should more difficult to heal than normal piercings. After all, you are trying to do similar things; you are trying to form some type of fistula (of a sort, since there’s only one entry/exit). Seems like it should be just as easy, or as hard, to heal as a very well-done surface piercing. …And probably as delicate.
i think the main problem with transdermals is that now every body part could heal these implants! for example in this article the head is a very hard place to work on, and therefore the healing is worse than in other parts of the body, not to say about the shape of the head: its rounded, and the “legs” of the transdermals are straight and that makes the healing more difficult, sometimes impossible. If the jewelry cant fix on a placement it wont heal perfectly, and it will be migrated too often!
there are some nice placements for transdermals, i think one of the best is the center of the chest: this part of body is straight, and defended, so the healing can be perfect, and the implant could be worn long time!
of course microdermals could heal easier because of their size, and the inserting method.
i think the main problem with transdermals is that now every body part could heal these implants! for example in this article the head is a very hard place to work on, and therefore the healing is worse than in other parts of the body, not to say about the shape of the head: its rounded, and the “legs” of the transdermals are straight and that makes the healing more difficult, sometimes impossible. If the jewelry cant fix on a placement it wont heal perfectly, and it will be migrated too often!
there are some nice placements for transdermals, i think one of the best is the center of the chest: this part of body is straight, and defended, so the healing can be perfect, and the implant could be worn long time!
of course microdermals could heal easier because of their size, and the inserting method.
i think the main problem with transdermals is that now every body part could heal these implants! for example in this article the head is a very hard place to work on, and therefore the healing is worse than in other parts of the body, not to say about the shape of the head: its rounded, and the “legs” of the transdermals are straight and that makes the healing more difficult, sometimes impossible. If the jewelry cant fix on a placement it wont heal perfectly, and it will be migrated too often!
there are some nice placements for transdermals, i think one of the best is the center of the chest: this part of body is straight, and defended, so the healing can be perfect, and the implant could be worn long time!
of course microdermals could heal easier because of their size, and the inserting method.
i think the main problem with transdermals is that now every body part could heal these implants! for example in this article the head is a very hard place to work on, and therefore the healing is worse than in other parts of the body, not to say about the shape of the head: its rounded, and the “legs” of the transdermals are straight and that makes the healing more difficult, sometimes impossible. If the jewelry cant fix on a placement it wont heal perfectly, and it will be migrated too often!
there are some nice placements for transdermals, i think one of the best is the center of the chest: this part of body is straight, and defended, so the healing can be perfect, and the implant could be worn long time!
of course microdermals could heal easier because of their size, and the inserting method.
Ouch.
@69: Most “normal” piercings have a complete fistula, like a tunnel. Transdermals and microdermals have blind fistulas, like pockets. While I’ve found microdermals to be pretty easy to heal, I can totally understand how transdermals would be much more difficult. Have you seen the size of those things?
Again, ouch.
Ouch.
@69: Most “normal” piercings have a complete fistula, like a tunnel. Transdermals and microdermals have blind fistulas, like pockets. While I’ve found microdermals to be pretty easy to heal, I can totally understand how transdermals would be much more difficult. Have you seen the size of those things?
Again, ouch.
Ouch.
@69: Most “normal” piercings have a complete fistula, like a tunnel. Transdermals and microdermals have blind fistulas, like pockets. While I’ve found microdermals to be pretty easy to heal, I can totally understand how transdermals would be much more difficult. Have you seen the size of those things?
Again, ouch.
Ouch.
@69: Most “normal” piercings have a complete fistula, like a tunnel. Transdermals and microdermals have blind fistulas, like pockets. While I’ve found microdermals to be pretty easy to heal, I can totally understand how transdermals would be much more difficult. Have you seen the size of those things?
Again, ouch.
Did anyone actually read the article?? He says that this is HIS take on it as a personal experience. No where does Sean say that ALL transdermals suck.
People are getting all snarky and pissy because he’s sharing his experience with everyone.
He got the procedure done after being well informed as to the possible risks (not to mention he is a body mod practitioner with approx 10 years experience) and went to a highly reputable artist. He gave it his best shot and finally when he’d had enough he had them removed.
As you’re entitled to your own opinion about your own experience, so is he. It’s pointless to try and compare how your body heals as to another persons.
It’s an interesting post and it something I’d venture to guess that a LOT of people would never get to witness first or even second hand.
Good lord, with the whiners around here…
Did anyone actually read the article?? He says that this is HIS take on it as a personal experience. No where does Sean say that ALL transdermals suck.
People are getting all snarky and pissy because he’s sharing his experience with everyone.
He got the procedure done after being well informed as to the possible risks (not to mention he is a body mod practitioner with approx 10 years experience) and went to a highly reputable artist. He gave it his best shot and finally when he’d had enough he had them removed.
As you’re entitled to your own opinion about your own experience, so is he. It’s pointless to try and compare how your body heals as to another persons.
It’s an interesting post and it something I’d venture to guess that a LOT of people would never get to witness first or even second hand.
Good lord, with the whiners around here…
Did anyone actually read the article?? He says that this is HIS take on it as a personal experience. No where does Sean say that ALL transdermals suck.
People are getting all snarky and pissy because he’s sharing his experience with everyone.
He got the procedure done after being well informed as to the possible risks (not to mention he is a body mod practitioner with approx 10 years experience) and went to a highly reputable artist. He gave it his best shot and finally when he’d had enough he had them removed.
As you’re entitled to your own opinion about your own experience, so is he. It’s pointless to try and compare how your body heals as to another persons.
It’s an interesting post and it something I’d venture to guess that a LOT of people would never get to witness first or even second hand.
Good lord, with the whiners around here…
Did anyone actually read the article?? He says that this is HIS take on it as a personal experience. No where does Sean say that ALL transdermals suck.
People are getting all snarky and pissy because he’s sharing his experience with everyone.
He got the procedure done after being well informed as to the possible risks (not to mention he is a body mod practitioner with approx 10 years experience) and went to a highly reputable artist. He gave it his best shot and finally when he’d had enough he had them removed.
As you’re entitled to your own opinion about your own experience, so is he. It’s pointless to try and compare how your body heals as to another persons.
It’s an interesting post and it something I’d venture to guess that a LOT of people would never get to witness first or even second hand.
Good lord, with the whiners around here…
Agree with phoenixxx…both sean and the artist who did his transdermals are extremely highly reputable. that being said, a lot of things come down to a person by person basis. there are some people who manage to heal things that most feel would never heal, and other people who have trouble healing even the most simple of piercings. not everyones body reacts the same.
Agree with phoenixxx…both sean and the artist who did his transdermals are extremely highly reputable. that being said, a lot of things come down to a person by person basis. there are some people who manage to heal things that most feel would never heal, and other people who have trouble healing even the most simple of piercings. not everyones body reacts the same.
Agree with phoenixxx…both sean and the artist who did his transdermals are extremely highly reputable. that being said, a lot of things come down to a person by person basis. there are some people who manage to heal things that most feel would never heal, and other people who have trouble healing even the most simple of piercings. not everyones body reacts the same.
Agree with phoenixxx…both sean and the artist who did his transdermals are extremely highly reputable. that being said, a lot of things come down to a person by person basis. there are some people who manage to heal things that most feel would never heal, and other people who have trouble healing even the most simple of piercings. not everyones body reacts the same.
glory to Sean. this is like a post from the old days of modblog. while they may be more sporadic lately, i definitely like the way modblogs been heading.
sean bleeds for his posts. hahaha kudos.
glory to Sean. this is like a post from the old days of modblog. while they may be more sporadic lately, i definitely like the way modblogs been heading.
sean bleeds for his posts. hahaha kudos.
glory to Sean. this is like a post from the old days of modblog. while they may be more sporadic lately, i definitely like the way modblogs been heading.
sean bleeds for his posts. hahaha kudos.
glory to Sean. this is like a post from the old days of modblog. while they may be more sporadic lately, i definitely like the way modblogs been heading.
sean bleeds for his posts. hahaha kudos.