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Northampton is currently the only town in Massachusetts where scarification is legal. All of these scarifications are done using a surgival scalpel. Most are a combination of cut lines and skin removal. When a deeper line is desired, skin is removed rather than going deeper with the line. This provides a clearer and more consistent result.All blades are disposable and all tools and equipment are sterilized between every use.If you are interested in getting a scarification done by Zach, please email him at scarificationbyzach_gmail.com to ask any questions, discuss the design of your piece, ask any questions, or make an appointment.
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Days 1-3:1. Wash your new scarification at least twice daily, once in the morning and once at night, with a liquid antibacterial (dial, softsoap etc.) or antimicrobial (provon or satin) soap that contains no fragrances or dyes. No bar soap. Lather up the soap in clean hands and then gently rub into the cuts, then rinse with clean water and pat dry with a clean paper towel. Repeat once more. When you are putting soap into your scarification do not rub across the cut lines as this can cause uneven scarring, always go with the lines. This washing helps prevent infection to the newly exposed areas and is very important.2. Directly following your washing, apply a layer of antibiotic ointment over the entire scar.3. Cover the entire scar with a cellophane dressing (saran wrap) and tape it so that it is airtight. The ointment will help prevent infection from exposure to the non-sterile cellophane. Keeping the scar sealed off from the air will keep it moist and will force your body to heal with scar tissue since new healthy skin cells cannot form without a scab present. Do not wrap the area too tightly as you want to leave space for the scar to raise.Days 3-10:1. Continue to wash the scarring twice daily. At this point scar tissue is beginning to form over the open area, making infection less of a concern, but the twice daily washing is still important.2. At this point some people like to switch from the antibiotic ointment to an irritant. Some irritants that work well are toasted sesame oil or vaseline with a small amount of sugar mixed in. The irritants will help to promote extra scar tissue by breaking up the healing tissue. If you do choose to apply an irritant make sure to rub it in the direction of the cuts so as not to get uneven scarring. Do not rub it back and forth.3. Continue to wrap your scarring airtight with the cellophane dressing.Continue these steps through day ten of your healing.Sometimes an aggravating heat rash will occur underneath the cellophane. This is irritating, but normal, and should not be a cause for concern. If the heat rash is too annoying you can discontinue the cellophane wrapping, but this may result in less scar tissue.Everyone will keloid differently, and the amount of irritation you apply and the area where the scaring is placed will affect the final outcome.If this aftercare is closely followed the risk of infection is minimal, but if your scarification becomes red, hot, inflamed, secretes darkly colored fluids, excretes an offensive odor, or in any other ways shows signs of infection please do not hesitate to consult your physician.If you have any questions about the modification you have received or you are interested in getting scarification done please contact Zach at scarificationbyzach_gmail.com.
