BRANDING

SCARS CAUSED BY HEAT

BURN IT INTO THE SKIN

Today, the term “branding” is defined in several areas, but originally the definition of “branding” comes from horse and livestock farming.

In the past, horses were branded according to breed or owner; less commonly, brands were also used in cattle farming. Branding on animals caused scarring, which prevented the fur from growing back in those areas. As a result, brands remained permanently visible.

WE DO NOT CURRENTLY OFFER ANY BRANDING SERVICES!

TECHNIQUE

In branding as a form of body art, two variants are distinguished. The far more common method is hot branding, where an iron is heated and pressed onto the skin. A less common method is cold branding. In this case, an iron is also cooled in liquid nitrogen to around -80°C and then pressed onto the skin.

In common human branding, the desired motif is usually recreated using several smaller metal pieces. The corresponding shape is heated over a gas flame to approximately 900°C. As a rule, only gas is used as fuel, as the flame is almost free of soot and other residues. The shape is then pressed onto the skin for a few moments. The exact duration is determined individually by a professional and cannot be specified. The pain is described as brief and tolerable; however, the burning process releases endorphins, which can in turn trigger feelings of euphoria.

The most common tools are so-called “cautery pens.” These are battery-operated branding irons that look and are used like ballpoint pens. The front part heats up and can be used, to a certain extent, to burn patterns into the skin. This means there are virtually no limits to creativity when it comes to designs.

Anyone considering branding should take the following points into account:

A branding is only temporary and usually fades after around 7 years.
There is no way to predict exactly what the healed branding will look like, as wound healing and scarring are highly individual.

It is recommended to consult only a professional and not to attempt any self-experiments on your own or another person’s body.

HEALING

Wound healing takes between 14 and 21 days, during which the branding should be treated with wound ointment. The scab should not be scratched off, as this may cause the burn lines to run and appear blurred. With a professionally performed branding and normal body hygiene, there should be no complications during the healing period, except for scarring, which depends on keloid formation.

In people with light skin, the branding remains as a white, barely raised scar on the skin for about 5 to 7 years. Depending on the depth and duration of the burning as well as the width of the metal shapes, the scar may also remain slightly reddish. In darker skin types, a light, slightly to moderately raised scar usually remains. Keloids are responsible for scar formation. In general, it is assumed that the darker the skin type, the more keloids are present.

Not every area of the body is suitable for branding. It is important that areas where tendons, blood vessels, or joints run underneath should not be branded. Suitable areas include parts of the body where muscle and connective tissue are located, such as the thighs, buttocks, and upper arms.