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”
p.s. no april fools?
p.s. no april fools?
p.s. no april fools?
p.s. no april fools?
I wonder if taking them out will make it any easier to shave your head? Although I suppose the scar tissue will still make it an uneven surface.
I wonder if taking them out will make it any easier to shave your head? Although I suppose the scar tissue will still make it an uneven surface.
I wonder if taking them out will make it any easier to shave your head? Although I suppose the scar tissue will still make it an uneven surface.
I wonder if taking them out will make it any easier to shave your head? Although I suppose the scar tissue will still make it an uneven surface.
had a subdermal for six years never had any hassle………. sad state of affairs when people are asking what they are as opposed to microdermals???
had a subdermal for six years never had any hassle………. sad state of affairs when people are asking what they are as opposed to microdermals???
had a subdermal for six years never had any hassle………. sad state of affairs when people are asking what they are as opposed to microdermals???
had a subdermal for six years never had any hassle………. sad state of affairs when people are asking what they are as opposed to microdermals???
Shimble: It’s interesting that most subdermals (assuming a good, non-mobile location, a sterile environment, a good practitioner, and good a implant; carved silicone = FAIL) seem to heal uneventfully. The implants on my sternum healed great, and have been uneventful for six or seven years. …And yet, there are some pretty awful horror stories about subdermal implants. It seems to be a case of YMMV.
Thanks for sharing, Sean. I’ll keep this in mind before I give them a try. At least I don’t mind the idea of heavy scarring on my forehead… 😀
Shimble: It’s interesting that most subdermals (assuming a good, non-mobile location, a sterile environment, a good practitioner, and good a implant; carved silicone = FAIL) seem to heal uneventfully. The implants on my sternum healed great, and have been uneventful for six or seven years. …And yet, there are some pretty awful horror stories about subdermal implants. It seems to be a case of YMMV.
Thanks for sharing, Sean. I’ll keep this in mind before I give them a try. At least I don’t mind the idea of heavy scarring on my forehead… 😀
Shimble: It’s interesting that most subdermals (assuming a good, non-mobile location, a sterile environment, a good practitioner, and good a implant; carved silicone = FAIL) seem to heal uneventfully. The implants on my sternum healed great, and have been uneventful for six or seven years. …And yet, there are some pretty awful horror stories about subdermal implants. It seems to be a case of YMMV.
Thanks for sharing, Sean. I’ll keep this in mind before I give them a try. At least I don’t mind the idea of heavy scarring on my forehead… 😀
Shimble: It’s interesting that most subdermals (assuming a good, non-mobile location, a sterile environment, a good practitioner, and good a implant; carved silicone = FAIL) seem to heal uneventfully. The implants on my sternum healed great, and have been uneventful for six or seven years. …And yet, there are some pretty awful horror stories about subdermal implants. It seems to be a case of YMMV.
Thanks for sharing, Sean. I’ll keep this in mind before I give them a try. At least I don’t mind the idea of heavy scarring on my forehead… 😀
So…this is, or is not, the April Fool post? If it is, fantastic job, but tell us about the real procedure pictured! If not…I am very sorry to hear that, because OW. Also – yay for a post, whatever it is. 🙂
So…this is, or is not, the April Fool post? If it is, fantastic job, but tell us about the real procedure pictured! If not…I am very sorry to hear that, because OW. Also – yay for a post, whatever it is. 🙂
So…this is, or is not, the April Fool post? If it is, fantastic job, but tell us about the real procedure pictured! If not…I am very sorry to hear that, because OW. Also – yay for a post, whatever it is. 🙂
So…this is, or is not, the April Fool post? If it is, fantastic job, but tell us about the real procedure pictured! If not…I am very sorry to hear that, because OW. Also – yay for a post, whatever it is. 🙂
it looks too good to be faked. most of the april fools ones are just a little bit obvious. but if this is a fake best damn one yet.
it looks too good to be faked. most of the april fools ones are just a little bit obvious. but if this is a fake best damn one yet.
it looks too good to be faked. most of the april fools ones are just a little bit obvious. but if this is a fake best damn one yet.
it looks too good to be faked. most of the april fools ones are just a little bit obvious. but if this is a fake best damn one yet.
wow! that’s intense. i’m curious to see how this heals.
wow! that’s intense. i’m curious to see how this heals.
wow! that’s intense. i’m curious to see how this heals.
wow! that’s intense. i’m curious to see how this heals.
My transdermals healed fine and ive had them for almost 7 years now without any problems. if they get angry a little i spray h2ocean on it and leave it alone. over doing it with to many remedies will just mess them up. Haworth did mine and mine are fine. Ive done several trandermal mohawks and they’ve healed fine and have been in for 4+ years. i only use Haworths trandermals. ive seen them reject too, but not as often as ive seen the 2-foot one reject
My transdermals healed fine and ive had them for almost 7 years now without any problems. if they get angry a little i spray h2ocean on it and leave it alone. over doing it with to many remedies will just mess them up. Haworth did mine and mine are fine. Ive done several trandermal mohawks and they’ve healed fine and have been in for 4+ years. i only use Haworths trandermals. ive seen them reject too, but not as often as ive seen the 2-foot one reject
My transdermals healed fine and ive had them for almost 7 years now without any problems. if they get angry a little i spray h2ocean on it and leave it alone. over doing it with to many remedies will just mess them up. Haworth did mine and mine are fine. Ive done several trandermal mohawks and they’ve healed fine and have been in for 4+ years. i only use Haworths trandermals. ive seen them reject too, but not as often as ive seen the 2-foot one reject
My transdermals healed fine and ive had them for almost 7 years now without any problems. if they get angry a little i spray h2ocean on it and leave it alone. over doing it with to many remedies will just mess them up. Haworth did mine and mine are fine. Ive done several trandermal mohawks and they’ve healed fine and have been in for 4+ years. i only use Haworths trandermals. ive seen them reject too, but not as often as ive seen the 2-foot one reject
the post date was march 31st definitely not april fools joke.
That said sorry to see the troubles sean, transdermals look great when they dont have serious issues.
the post date was march 31st definitely not april fools joke.
That said sorry to see the troubles sean, transdermals look great when they dont have serious issues.
the post date was march 31st definitely not april fools joke.
That said sorry to see the troubles sean, transdermals look great when they dont have serious issues.
the post date was march 31st definitely not april fools joke.
That said sorry to see the troubles sean, transdermals look great when they dont have serious issues.
I can assure you this was not an April Fool’s joke. I was there when he got them cut out and took all the pictures.
Sorry kids…no A.F. joke this year.
I can assure you this was not an April Fool’s joke. I was there when he got them cut out and took all the pictures.
Sorry kids…no A.F. joke this year.
I can assure you this was not an April Fool’s joke. I was there when he got them cut out and took all the pictures.
Sorry kids…no A.F. joke this year.
I can assure you this was not an April Fool’s joke. I was there when he got them cut out and took all the pictures.
Sorry kids…no A.F. joke this year.
Nyarlathotep:
how does carved silicone=fail?
do you really think all the well healed shaped implants are cast?
Nyarlathotep:
how does carved silicone=fail?
do you really think all the well healed shaped implants are cast?
Nyarlathotep:
how does carved silicone=fail?
do you really think all the well healed shaped implants are cast?
Nyarlathotep:
how does carved silicone=fail?
do you really think all the well healed shaped implants are cast?
@26, my email is on every post I make, but it may not be as obvious as I like. Next to my little bio and pic below every post there is an email this author link and that goes straight to me. Or feel free to email me [email protected].
@26, my email is on every post I make, but it may not be as obvious as I like. Next to my little bio and pic below every post there is an email this author link and that goes straight to me. Or feel free to email me [email protected].
@26, my email is on every post I make, but it may not be as obvious as I like. Next to my little bio and pic below every post there is an email this author link and that goes straight to me. Or feel free to email me [email protected].
@26, my email is on every post I make, but it may not be as obvious as I like. Next to my little bio and pic below every post there is an email this author link and that goes straight to me. Or feel free to email me [email protected].
http://www.bodymod.org/aprilfools/modblog/
That was the April Fool’s joke…
http://www.bodymod.org/aprilfools/modblog/
That was the April Fool’s joke…