Scarification

As scarification or scarification (from Latin scarificatio: " ( the ) cracks ", "( the ) cupping " ) or also called Narbentatauierung, the introduction of ornamental scars is called into the skin. Depending on the method you used for the terms Cutting or branding.

Traditional scarification

The scarification is deeply rooted in the traditions of different peoples form of body modification. She finds particularly in those ethnicities distribution, whose dark skin would not allow a tattoo, or this could be only poorly visible. This is done especially in the Nilo- Saharan language family of Sudan and Chad, but also in Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and Angola and serves on the one hand, the clan association, on the other hand as body jewelry, in addition however, the initiation of the girls on the border of marriageable age. In addition, other important life events, both the person concerned as well as of relatives, be a reason for adding decorative scars.

Among the ethnic groups in the territory of the Sepik in Papua New Guinea, the scarification important spiritual and mythological initiation ritual of men (see: scarification on the middle Sepik )

Ritual scarification with South Sudanese woman

Scarified Negrito warriors of the Philippines, 1885, see also Philippine tribal tattoos

Scarification for aesthetic reasons in Western culture

Nowadays scars are cut as body modification in various youth subcultures of the Western world. In this it differs from the ritual scarification of " primitive peoples " to the extent that even here the distinction from other groups is intended and this is considered as a form of body decoration. The existing adult life as an initiation into a deep psychological meaning to the endurance of pain motivation may also play an important role, but is neither rooted in a tradition nor a tribal cultural event with inclusion of the members.

When carrying between two methods must be distinguished: the cutting ( Cutting) and firing (branding). The cutting is usually done with a scalpel, with only the outlines or outlines are cut and on the intervening upper skin layer is removed through. For a branding can, in principle, although any hot object can be used, but an electric cautery is used at professional conduct for it.

A special style of scarification has evolved with the Hanabira or Japanese flower. Here at women on the mound of old ties into a traditional flower shapes pattern is generated. The style was invented in the early 90s in Japanese BodMod scene and has enjoyed in recent years also increasingly in the Western world, been principally in the United States, growing in popularity.

Hanabira (Japanese: petal) scarification

Scarification on the arm

Scarification on the back

A study at the University of Liverpool has shown that men with facial scars look attractive especially to those women who are looking for short partnerships. This result was interpreted so that scars cause the association of masculinity ( high testosterone levels ), courage and strength / health. The male test participants in this study showed no preference ( or rejection ), neither for potentially short relationships even in long-term partnerships towards women with facial scars.

Scarification of non- aesthetic reasons

Of the two forms of the self-injurious behavior differs as a mental disorder in the sense that here the psychopathology is in the foreground and enters the aspect of body jewelry completely into the background.

In addition, a scarification for virological diagnosis of smallpox is performed on the cornea of the rabbit; continue the smallpox vaccine itself is performed by scarification on the upper arm.

In the western West the scarification made ​​by setting small cuts in the skin, the basis for the subsequent bloody cupping.

Healing

In contrast to most other forms of modification of the body and again a slow impaired wound healing is desirable in the scarification. Depending on the desired scarring try the actors again and again to wet the fresh -healing cuts and with solutions of lemon, sugar and petroleum jelly or remove the new skin cells and scab.