Aftercare for Scarification
Scarification is the cutting or burning of designs or marks onto a person’s skin for the purposes of pain, power exchange, or decoration.
Examples include cell popping, abrasion, branding, and cutting.
If this is a fetish that interests you, we suggest carefully reading our risk mitigation guide on cell popping, as well as following the steps below to assist in your aftercare.
Scarification is a traumatisation of your body, and as such can be both emotionally and physical draining. While everybody heals differently, the way you care for the scarification site after its completion plays heavily into how long it will take you to heal.
Have your aftercare resources ready ahead of time
This type of kink requires a lot of medical aftercare, and as such you should plan on purchasing everything ahead of time to ensure you have it on hand for the weeks following your scene.
Aftercare - Scarification woundcare
For proper aftercare of your wounds, you will need the following items on hand:
Medical Gloves (use nitrile if you have a latex sensitivity)
Antibacterial soap
Fresh paper towels or clean cotton towels
Antibiotic ointment
Medical plastic wrap
Medical tape
Petroleum Jelly
Irritant, such as sesame seed oil (optional)
For additional safety, consider asking your doctor for a prophylactic antibiotic you can take during the first 10 days of your healing process
Vitamin C, Zinc, and Multivitamin supplements
Keep these items in a cool, dry place. Do not open items prior to the day of use to reduce the risk of exposure to potential contamination.
Additional considerations include the following:
Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water both before the scene, and throughout the healing process
Plan for at least 8 hours of sleep each night, and focus on eating nutritiously (avoid junk food) during the healing process
Don’t let anyone touch your wounds without gloved, clean hands
Change your bed linens frequently and wear clean clothes daily
Avoid communal water areas such as pools, spas, or jacuzzis
Nicotine users should reduce their intake, as nicotine can slow down the healing process
Avoid caffeine, aspirin, alcohol, and any other unprescribed drugs
Don’t apply cosmetic products or lotions to the site as it heals
In the first three days following a scarification scene, you’ll need to change your dressings at least twice per day.
To change a scarification dressing, follow these steps:
Wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap, pat dry with a clean towel, and put on medical gloves. Anyone assisting you should do the same.
After removing any existing bandages and throwing them away, fill your palm with antibacterial soap and a small amount of water. Rub your hands together to create a lather, then gently rub it onto your wounds in the direction that they were created. Never scrub with brushes or loofahs, which can cause uneven scarring.
Rinse the site thoroughly, and gently pat dry with paper towels or clean cotton towels. Never reuse the towels before washing them.
Once your skin is completely dry, coat the wound with antibiotic ointment in the same direction the scars were created.
Loosely cover the scarification site with a sheet of medical cling wrap and seal the edges with medical tape. Do not use a bandage at this stage, as that will cause the site to become damp and will delay healing.
New scar tissue begins to develop during days three through ten. Continual maintenance of the scarification site is critical.
Continue to clean your wounds twice a day following the above steps. As a reminder, do not use loofahs or brushes, and continue to use medical wrap and tape in lieu of bandages.
At this point, you can begin using an irritant if you wish for the scar to be more pronounced. It’s best to have the advice of a scarification expert in choosing an irritant, but toasted sesame oil or a small amount of sugar mixed with petroleum jelly can be used. As with cleaning, any application should be done in the direction of how the scarification was created.
After ten days, discontinue use of irritants and wraps to allow for the scarification to dry and begin to form scabs.
Continue to keep the site clean, but be careful not to pick at or disrupt the scabs as they form.
Wearing loose-fit clothing and avoiding movement of the wound site decreases the possibility that the scabs will crack.
Within six weeks, your wounds should be completely covered by scar tissue.
Some people may enhance the scarification design by scratching the surface to irritate the skin. If you choose to take this approach, be consistent across the entire design to ensure that the scars develop as evenly as possible.
As with any kinky scene, bottoms and Tops alike should be aware of the risk for drop. Have a plan in place to check in one another throughout the healing process, and remember to practice self-care in the weeks that follow.
These considerations are not designed to be advice on how to play safely - they are things to think about prior to engaging in dangerous forms of play. Scarification can cause permanent marks.
No matter the precautions you take in this kind of activity, you cannot guarantee the safety of those involved. Approach this form of play with extreme caution.
