Large cutting & peeling job, advice?

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Friday February 6th, 2009 @ 10:15 AM

Filed under: Skin Removal

Let’s start off with one thing: I adore BMEzine. Wonderful stuff! You guys are an inspiration to many.

I’ve been thinking for more than 2 years now, and I know I want to get some cutting/peeling work done. I intend it to be a gear design over my heart, about 3″ in diameter. The design I’ve presented to my local shop is what I’d like to use (http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1557798/ - the file upload failed) and I’d like that design to be cut away completely, with all the black area peeled away and left skinless, down to the tissue underneath.

My goal is to create a deep, recessed ‘cookie cutter’ scar with as little keloiding as possible. However, the shops I have gone to in the area either won’t do scarification or refuse to cut so deeply. I’ve prepared for infection and have quite a bit of medical antibiotics (Dicloxacillin) stockpiled. I can understand a liability on their part, but I find it difficult to believe that this is really such a dangerous job.

Further, the only person I’ve found who was willing to do the job for me is asking to do it in stages, first cutting the outline and then taking the skin away in two visits. I suspect this is because he’s asking me for $200 a visit. Am I being scalped? (Pun intended)

Thanks much.

It’s not a case of how deep you go but what aftercare you choose to undertake. As for a deep, recessed end product - there is little chance of that happening with removal, particularly in the area you have suggested. The chest is a high motion area and is by nature prone to raising. The nature of scarification is somewhat organic and very unique to the individual, which for most is its appeal. As practitioners, we can take into account what the client wants with regards to the end product and tailor the aftercare in such a way as to encourage this but ultimately you have to be aware that it may not turn out as you expect. Going deep in the chest area will most likely produce raised and possible keloid scarring and with that you may lose some of the sharp edges. The risk with keloid formation is that it can be painful and in some cases debilitating (as the scar contracts and pulls taught surrounding tissue).

As for technique, I personally see no reason why the outline should be done first and the removal later - this, for me, would make the job more difficult.

With regards to what you are ultimately aiming for, think long and hard and maybe do a little more research before commiting yourself to this.

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