TallDarkAndWitty
Posts: 1893
Joined: 6/12/2004
From: Rochester, NY
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: slaveatheart21
do any actually do this branding thing for real??? if so, how safe is it?
It is done, and, if done properly, it is not really very dangerous. It is a very controlled, very localized burn. About the only real danger is having a result that does not match your fantasy.
I have never done it, but when I meet the right person, I will do it. In preperation, I have done some research and talked to numerous people who have done it.
Here is one of the better articles on the subject:
#################################################
The following is presented for entertainment purposes only. The author
and publisher assume no responsibility for mishaps, misfortune or
accident do to misuse of the information contained within. This article
is not intended to be used as a "How To".
I'd like to share my views and experience regarding branding. I've been
involved in this form of BodyArt for the past three years and have
performed over thirty brands totaling over two hundred strikes.
Training as a piercer gave me a solid grasp of sterile technique and
thousands of piercings taught me how to calm apprehensive clients. A
little more research into burn first aid firmed up my aftercare
approach. Anybody seriously considering piercing, tattooing, cutting or
branding another humans flesh, in the name of art, should be prepared
to study and practice. I'd like to thank Raelyn Gallina, Lance Rubin,
Fakir and Eric Dakota for opening many doors for all of us. These, and
others, are the people presenting branding as an alternative
The brander's job is to conceptualize the healed brand by taking into
account numerous factors.
First, how large and what type of design? Keeping in mind the general
principle that tissue burned to the third degree will expand (spread)
from three to five hundred percent will help determine the appropriate
spacing of the design components. In my opinion, Runes, Letters,
Numbers and other Symbols that share simple, wide open designs often
produce the most readable brands. Multiple strike designs need to be
carefully planned out on paper before shaping the iron. By keeping the
shapes from one to three inches long, the iron will retain heat long
enough to make a clean, even strike. Second, where on the body will the
brand be placed? A flat area, preferably away from any bones and not
above any vital organs is best. Yes, I have done work on these areas,
but not without proceeding slowly and cautiously.
Using a pair of padded pliers, the iron is bent into the desired shape.
I've found eighteen gauge, galvanized sheet metal , cut with tin snips,
works best. Differing gauges can be combined in different components to
create complex, multi strike designs. Placing the unheated, formed
brand over the intended location and checking for any spots where the
iron does not make contact, will help determine the optimal placement
point. Adjust placement so the iron will make full contact. Sometimes
repositioning the body will redistribute fat and muscle, flattening a
previously unsuitable location.
A piece of scrap metal the same size as the iron can be used to test
the metal's melting point. Using a pair of large, insulated pliers,
hold the mock iron in the flame of a propane torch and watch closely
for any distortion in the metal. Some grades of metal will turn red hot
for a moment and then fade. Some will not change at all. If the metal
distorts it may have been heated unevenly or been to thin or too small.
Experiment on scrap metal until the perfect mix is discovered. A hand
held, propane torch and an assistant to hold the torch are key
ingredients in a successful brand.
Third, the duration of the heated strike. The amount of time the iron
remains on the tissue . Quickly removing the iron should result in a
light scar. Leaving the iron in place (with out adding pressure)
usually makes a heavier scar. Never push hard. Practicing on soft
cardboard and room temperature chicken breast is a must. Vegetarian
branders practice on Tofu. Really.
Lastly, the aftercare a brand receives greatly affects the finished
result. Different things work for different skin types. I've enclosed
my ideas on after care. I've seen dark people barely get a raised
keloid, pink design, and I've seen fair skinned people create flat,
dark designs. And vice-versa.
The location and surrounding area are cleaned using alcohol gel or
Betadine. The skin is scrubbed thoroughly in one direction. The
cleaning should be done at least twice. The iron itself should be
sterilized in one of the accepted manners. A hospital level germicide
or autoclave is sufficient. Since the brand itself is a third degree
burn, cauterization takes place.
The danger of infection comes as the scab develops . If the scabs crack
they become a portal for bacteria.
I prefer to wear gloves, and use my skills at preventing cross-
contamination. I've seen branders not wear gloves. I was taught the
simple truth "Germs crawl" . So going over board is not a bad thing, as
some people have suggested. Better safe than sorry and all that. Any
place you can study sterility helps. Commercial courses are available
in some cities and towns.
A pair of disinfected Vise Grips are adjusted to securely hold the
iron. The iron is heated to the proper temperature and the strike is
delivered. Simple, huh?
Well, yes and no. It takes weeks of study to acquire a beginning
understanding of sterile technique. A steady hand and critical eye
comes from experience.
A good place to read about branding is in Body Play and Modern
Primitives Quarterly #3. See Fakir's article, "The ABC's of Branding".
Most first aid books will give you some information you can readily
use. If you have online access, your first stop should be the
REC.ARTS.BODYART newsgroup. The Internet and World Wide Web provide
many places to research all forms of BodyArt.
The publics reaction to this art form is usually one of disbelief and
aversion. By planing the desired design carefully, we may change
peoples minds that we are loose cannons intent on mutilation and
masochism. Chose your symbols wisely and let them empower you
forevermore.
Suggested Aftercare for Brandings:
•Directly after the branding takes place, a moderate amount of anti-
bacterial ointment should be applied. Use a fresh glove. •Cover the
brand with a sterile dressing and secure with surgical tape. •Keep
brand moist . After three days of using ointment, switch to a quality
hand lotion . Test a small section of your body for adverse reactions
to the lotion. •After forty-eight hours it is no longer necessary to
keep the brand covered. But you can if you like. •A multi-vitamin
should be taken following the manufacturers directions. •Most brands
take from three to twelve weeks to heal.
Keith Alexander is the owner and senior piercer at Modern American
BodyArts, Inc. He can be reached on the web at
http://www.cybercondo.com/pub/bodyart, via email at
[email protected], or by phone at (718)680-9775. Modern American
Bodyarts is located at 462 87th St. @ 5th. Ave. Bay Ridge Brooklyn, New
York City. Keith's work can be seen on BME in both the scarification
and piercing sections - Look for the (ka) credit.
_____________________________
A most rewarding compliment is an insult from the ill-informed.
My slave: Kat (RainaVerene on the other side) and her website: RainaVerene.com
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branding....for real??!! - 
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