I posted quite recently about a self-injury to self-love transformation through scarification, and Ron Garza sent in this story about the customer pictured in this entry.
After filming for Discovery Channel in Canada last year, and working and speaking with the plastic surgeon on the show, I discussed ideas with him for scar cover-ups done the same way tattoo cover-up custom designs are done on a larger scale. He thought it was a great idea and suggested we consult with local surgeons in our area and see about going in after surgeries and making the surgery scar into a design, decided upon by the patient and myself before the whole surgery. I thought it was a great idea, and it only reinforced my idea that this was totally possible.
I started playing with it, doing a few small removals in different designs to cover surface piercing scars and that healed amazing. Well… then at the scar class that Gillstrap and myself taught Erik Dakota, Gillstrap and myself all collaborated and removed a huge brand that was deep on this student’s sternum. While it takes much more work to get even and consistent it showed me it can be done. Yes, it’s true — it is a complete pain in the ass but I have been pretty stoked on the results.
This piece was done as a reclamation of self-piece and a way of covering over the self-injurious past scars with a healthier new beginning. Originally a phoenix was requested but when we started drawing the design on, with all the old scars a koi just seemed to fit much better with the scales in the direction of her scars. I actually removed some of the old scars to get things level and tried to create a level scar in a field of uneven scar tissue. As you see in the drawing, some scales were also going to be removal for a spotted koi look, but some of the scars’ roots were just to deep to do all at once, so we got the outline done. I’m quite pleased with the results thus far. I’m sure when we add some grey wash to the piece it will give the entire piece more depth and really take the emphasis off the old scars.
Next week we begin the other arm — I’m stoked!
BME/News and Modblog highlight only a small fraction of what
I’m not sure what to make on the story, but I like the koi.
I do wonder though, why does this not have a title?
I’m not sure what to make on the story, but I like the koi.
I do wonder though, why does this not have a title?
I’m not sure what to make on the story, but I like the koi.
I do wonder though, why does this not have a title?
I’m not sure what to make on the story, but I like the koi.
I do wonder though, why does this not have a title?
I’m not sure what to make on the story, but I like the koi.
I do wonder though, why does this not have a title?
i like the idea of taking something that is painful and making it into something beautiful, particularly in this case where the medium is the same for the most part – scars become scars.
i like the idea of taking something that is painful and making it into something beautiful, particularly in this case where the medium is the same for the most part – scars become scars.
i like the idea of taking something that is painful and making it into something beautiful, particularly in this case where the medium is the same for the most part – scars become scars.
i like the idea of taking something that is painful and making it into something beautiful, particularly in this case where the medium is the same for the most part – scars become scars.
i like the idea of taking something that is painful and making it into something beautiful, particularly in this case where the medium is the same for the most part – scars become scars.
YAY juno!
YAY juno!
YAY juno!
YAY juno!
YAY juno!
beautiful scar and really interesting story
beautiful scar and really interesting story
beautiful scar and really interesting story
beautiful scar and really interesting story
beautiful scar and really interesting story
beautiful
beautiful
beautiful
beautiful
beautiful
I used to self injure but I haven’t hurt myself in almost two years. I got a tattoo on my left forearm to cover up my scars and to remind me not to hurt myself again.
The koi is beautiful. I really like how the scar looks.
I used to self injure but I haven’t hurt myself in almost two years. I got a tattoo on my left forearm to cover up my scars and to remind me not to hurt myself again.
The koi is beautiful. I really like how the scar looks.
I used to self injure but I haven’t hurt myself in almost two years. I got a tattoo on my left forearm to cover up my scars and to remind me not to hurt myself again.
The koi is beautiful. I really like how the scar looks.
I used to self injure but I haven’t hurt myself in almost two years. I got a tattoo on my left forearm to cover up my scars and to remind me not to hurt myself again.
The koi is beautiful. I really like how the scar looks.
I used to self injure but I haven’t hurt myself in almost two years. I got a tattoo on my left forearm to cover up my scars and to remind me not to hurt myself again.
The koi is beautiful. I really like how the scar looks.
i love it
i love it
i love it
i love it
i love it
This is totally awesome.
This is totally awesome.
This is totally awesome.
This is totally awesome.
This is totally awesome.
This brought tears to my eyes.
As a recovering self-injurer, it’s wonderful to see other people who have made it through, it gives me hope for my own future.
Not to mention that’s just beautiful. I’m glad their have turned something that they may have felt ashamed of into something so gorgeous.
This brought tears to my eyes.
As a recovering self-injurer, it’s wonderful to see other people who have made it through, it gives me hope for my own future.
Not to mention that’s just beautiful. I’m glad their have turned something that they may have felt ashamed of into something so gorgeous.
This brought tears to my eyes.
As a recovering self-injurer, it’s wonderful to see other people who have made it through, it gives me hope for my own future.
Not to mention that’s just beautiful. I’m glad their have turned something that they may have felt ashamed of into something so gorgeous.
This brought tears to my eyes.
As a recovering self-injurer, it’s wonderful to see other people who have made it through, it gives me hope for my own future.
Not to mention that’s just beautiful. I’m glad their have turned something that they may have felt ashamed of into something so gorgeous.
This brought tears to my eyes.
As a recovering self-injurer, it’s wonderful to see other people who have made it through, it gives me hope for my own future.
Not to mention that’s just beautiful. I’m glad their have turned something that they may have felt ashamed of into something so gorgeous.
I kinda was dissapointed seeing as it wasn’t a tattoo of the red and blue outline – but good idea nonetheless 🙂
I kinda was dissapointed seeing as it wasn’t a tattoo of the red and blue outline – but good idea nonetheless 🙂
I kinda was dissapointed seeing as it wasn’t a tattoo of the red and blue outline – but good idea nonetheless 🙂
I kinda was dissapointed seeing as it wasn’t a tattoo of the red and blue outline – but good idea nonetheless 🙂
I kinda was dissapointed seeing as it wasn’t a tattoo of the red and blue outline – but good idea nonetheless 🙂
It’s absolutely gorgeous. I love ideas like this and koi fish just always seem to work really well on the body.
It’s absolutely gorgeous. I love ideas like this and koi fish just always seem to work really well on the body.
It’s absolutely gorgeous. I love ideas like this and koi fish just always seem to work really well on the body.
It’s absolutely gorgeous. I love ideas like this and koi fish just always seem to work really well on the body.
It’s absolutely gorgeous. I love ideas like this and koi fish just always seem to work really well on the body.
Very pretty, love the water
Very pretty, love the water
Very pretty, love the water
Very pretty, love the water
Very pretty, love the water
I’m doing the same thing right now; a full floral sleeve to cover self-injury scars. It’s wonderful to see how well people can turn self-hate into self-love. 😀
I’m doing the same thing right now; a full floral sleeve to cover self-injury scars. It’s wonderful to see how well people can turn self-hate into self-love. 😀
I’m doing the same thing right now; a full floral sleeve to cover self-injury scars. It’s wonderful to see how well people can turn self-hate into self-love. 😀
I’m doing the same thing right now; a full floral sleeve to cover self-injury scars. It’s wonderful to see how well people can turn self-hate into self-love. 😀
I’m doing the same thing right now; a full floral sleeve to cover self-injury scars. It’s wonderful to see how well people can turn self-hate into self-love. 😀
Beautiful (before and after).
Beautiful (before and after).
Beautiful (before and after).
Beautiful (before and after).
Beautiful (before and after).
Oh wow, that came out wonderfully.
Oh wow, that came out wonderfully.
Oh wow, that came out wonderfully.
Oh wow, that came out wonderfully.
Oh wow, that came out wonderfully.
This made my day. Off to find a scarification artist now.
This made my day. Off to find a scarification artist now.
This made my day. Off to find a scarification artist now.
This made my day. Off to find a scarification artist now.
This made my day. Off to find a scarification artist now.
i’d never cover up my scars; i am not ashamed.
i’d never cover up my scars; i am not ashamed.
i’d never cover up my scars; i am not ashamed.
i’d never cover up my scars; i am not ashamed.
i’d never cover up my scars; i am not ashamed.
what i enjoyed about this piece was the how the previous scarring was such a focal point…it gave it a life that may not have been possible without that scarring…touching story and lovely piece…
what i enjoyed about this piece was the how the previous scarring was such a focal point…it gave it a life that may not have been possible without that scarring…touching story and lovely piece…
what i enjoyed about this piece was the how the previous scarring was such a focal point…it gave it a life that may not have been possible without that scarring…touching story and lovely piece…
what i enjoyed about this piece was the how the previous scarring was such a focal point…it gave it a life that may not have been possible without that scarring…touching story and lovely piece…
what i enjoyed about this piece was the how the previous scarring was such a focal point…it gave it a life that may not have been possible without that scarring…touching story and lovely piece…
I have nasty self harming scars on my legs (which feel nice if you rub your hand over them if you forget the reasons they are there to start with) but I plan on getting them covered up with leg sleeves. Does anyone know if th scar tissue from the deeper cuts will make it difficult to tattoo over?
I have nasty self harming scars on my legs (which feel nice if you rub your hand over them if you forget the reasons they are there to start with) but I plan on getting them covered up with leg sleeves. Does anyone know if th scar tissue from the deeper cuts will make it difficult to tattoo over?
I have nasty self harming scars on my legs (which feel nice if you rub your hand over them if you forget the reasons they are there to start with) but I plan on getting them covered up with leg sleeves. Does anyone know if th scar tissue from the deeper cuts will make it difficult to tattoo over?
I have nasty self harming scars on my legs (which feel nice if you rub your hand over them if you forget the reasons they are there to start with) but I plan on getting them covered up with leg sleeves. Does anyone know if th scar tissue from the deeper cuts will make it difficult to tattoo over?
I have nasty self harming scars on my legs (which feel nice if you rub your hand over them if you forget the reasons they are there to start with) but I plan on getting them covered up with leg sleeves. Does anyone know if th scar tissue from the deeper cuts will make it difficult to tattoo over?
greetings, thank u for posting this, cause i have similar desire in the future to cover up scars, this is very inspirational and makes me feel good, thank u. peace
greetings, thank u for posting this, cause i have similar desire in the future to cover up scars, this is very inspirational and makes me feel good, thank u. peace
greetings, thank u for posting this, cause i have similar desire in the future to cover up scars, this is very inspirational and makes me feel good, thank u. peace
greetings, thank u for posting this, cause i have similar desire in the future to cover up scars, this is very inspirational and makes me feel good, thank u. peace
greetings, thank u for posting this, cause i have similar desire in the future to cover up scars, this is very inspirational and makes me feel good, thank u. peace
This is by far my favorite post:)
I doubt I’ll ever get this done, just because I don’t think I’ll ever stop SI’ing.
This is by far my favorite post:)
I doubt I’ll ever get this done, just because I don’t think I’ll ever stop SI’ing.
This is by far my favorite post:)
I doubt I’ll ever get this done, just because I don’t think I’ll ever stop SI’ing.
This is by far my favorite post:)
I doubt I’ll ever get this done, just because I don’t think I’ll ever stop SI’ing.
This is by far my favorite post:)
I doubt I’ll ever get this done, just because I don’t think I’ll ever stop SI’ing.
that came out beautiful. what a wonderful way to move forward.
that came out beautiful. what a wonderful way to move forward.
that came out beautiful. what a wonderful way to move forward.
that came out beautiful. what a wonderful way to move forward.
that came out beautiful. what a wonderful way to move forward.
This is beautiful. I really like how the old scars add to the texture of the new piece and are transformed into something new. As a reformed self-injurer, these pieces hit close to home.
This is beautiful. I really like how the old scars add to the texture of the new piece and are transformed into something new. As a reformed self-injurer, these pieces hit close to home.
This is beautiful. I really like how the old scars add to the texture of the new piece and are transformed into something new. As a reformed self-injurer, these pieces hit close to home.
This is beautiful. I really like how the old scars add to the texture of the new piece and are transformed into something new. As a reformed self-injurer, these pieces hit close to home.
This is beautiful. I really like how the old scars add to the texture of the new piece and are transformed into something new. As a reformed self-injurer, these pieces hit close to home.
this is beautiful!
I had scars covering the entirety of my arm from my wrists to my shoulders, but i just covered them with 2 sleeves……. to bad i didnt think of doing some scarification
this is beautiful!
I had scars covering the entirety of my arm from my wrists to my shoulders, but i just covered them with 2 sleeves……. to bad i didnt think of doing some scarification
this is beautiful!
I had scars covering the entirety of my arm from my wrists to my shoulders, but i just covered them with 2 sleeves……. to bad i didnt think of doing some scarification
this is beautiful!
I had scars covering the entirety of my arm from my wrists to my shoulders, but i just covered them with 2 sleeves……. to bad i didnt think of doing some scarification
this is beautiful!
I had scars covering the entirety of my arm from my wrists to my shoulders, but i just covered them with 2 sleeves……. to bad i didnt think of doing some scarification
absolutely gorgeous, and it gives me a lot of hope about covering my own scars, when i’m ready for it.
would love to see further pictures of this when it’s healed.
absolutely gorgeous, and it gives me a lot of hope about covering my own scars, when i’m ready for it.
would love to see further pictures of this when it’s healed.
absolutely gorgeous, and it gives me a lot of hope about covering my own scars, when i’m ready for it.
would love to see further pictures of this when it’s healed.
absolutely gorgeous, and it gives me a lot of hope about covering my own scars, when i’m ready for it.
would love to see further pictures of this when it’s healed.
absolutely gorgeous, and it gives me a lot of hope about covering my own scars, when i’m ready for it.
would love to see further pictures of this when it’s healed.
wow, 10 out of 25 posters on here are/were cutters. i didnt know it was so prevalent. i found out recently that my lil sis-in-law has been cutting, and it broke my heart.
wow, 10 out of 25 posters on here are/were cutters. i didnt know it was so prevalent. i found out recently that my lil sis-in-law has been cutting, and it broke my heart.
wow, 10 out of 25 posters on here are/were cutters. i didnt know it was so prevalent. i found out recently that my lil sis-in-law has been cutting, and it broke my heart.
wow, 10 out of 25 posters on here are/were cutters. i didnt know it was so prevalent. i found out recently that my lil sis-in-law has been cutting, and it broke my heart.
wow, 10 out of 25 posters on here are/were cutters. i didnt know it was so prevalent. i found out recently that my lil sis-in-law has been cutting, and it broke my heart.
If you’re cutting for reasons other than pain, Hullwork, it’s not so bad. Really.
…but it’s rare you’ll find someone who cuts, especially young, for honest aesthetic reasons.
This tattoo has really inspired me… I enjoy looking at my scars as they are right now, because they’re reminders to me of what I’m slowly overcoming. I have some severe scars on my legs and not so severe but very noticeable ones on my left arm. I really, really like this idea, and it’s given me some inspiration for what I would like to do if/when I decide to cover mine up.
If you’re cutting for reasons other than pain, Hullwork, it’s not so bad. Really.
…but it’s rare you’ll find someone who cuts, especially young, for honest aesthetic reasons.
This tattoo has really inspired me… I enjoy looking at my scars as they are right now, because they’re reminders to me of what I’m slowly overcoming. I have some severe scars on my legs and not so severe but very noticeable ones on my left arm. I really, really like this idea, and it’s given me some inspiration for what I would like to do if/when I decide to cover mine up.
If you’re cutting for reasons other than pain, Hullwork, it’s not so bad. Really.
…but it’s rare you’ll find someone who cuts, especially young, for honest aesthetic reasons.
This tattoo has really inspired me… I enjoy looking at my scars as they are right now, because they’re reminders to me of what I’m slowly overcoming. I have some severe scars on my legs and not so severe but very noticeable ones on my left arm. I really, really like this idea, and it’s given me some inspiration for what I would like to do if/when I decide to cover mine up.
If you’re cutting for reasons other than pain, Hullwork, it’s not so bad. Really.
…but it’s rare you’ll find someone who cuts, especially young, for honest aesthetic reasons.
This tattoo has really inspired me… I enjoy looking at my scars as they are right now, because they’re reminders to me of what I’m slowly overcoming. I have some severe scars on my legs and not so severe but very noticeable ones on my left arm. I really, really like this idea, and it’s given me some inspiration for what I would like to do if/when I decide to cover mine up.
If you’re cutting for reasons other than pain, Hullwork, it’s not so bad. Really.
…but it’s rare you’ll find someone who cuts, especially young, for honest aesthetic reasons.
This tattoo has really inspired me… I enjoy looking at my scars as they are right now, because they’re reminders to me of what I’m slowly overcoming. I have some severe scars on my legs and not so severe but very noticeable ones on my left arm. I really, really like this idea, and it’s given me some inspiration for what I would like to do if/when I decide to cover mine up.
I’ve been a cutter for 9 years now and I’ve chosen to cover some of my scars that aren’t as raised w/tattoos. I think for myself scarification would be triggering but I love the idea of it. That koi is beautiful! Thanks for sharing it:)
I’ve been a cutter for 9 years now and I’ve chosen to cover some of my scars that aren’t as raised w/tattoos. I think for myself scarification would be triggering but I love the idea of it. That koi is beautiful! Thanks for sharing it:)
I’ve been a cutter for 9 years now and I’ve chosen to cover some of my scars that aren’t as raised w/tattoos. I think for myself scarification would be triggering but I love the idea of it. That koi is beautiful! Thanks for sharing it:)
I’ve been a cutter for 9 years now and I’ve chosen to cover some of my scars that aren’t as raised w/tattoos. I think for myself scarification would be triggering but I love the idea of it. That koi is beautiful! Thanks for sharing it:)
I’ve been a cutter for 9 years now and I’ve chosen to cover some of my scars that aren’t as raised w/tattoos. I think for myself scarification would be triggering but I love the idea of it. That koi is beautiful! Thanks for sharing it:)
Absolutley gorgeous piece!
And yay for pre-planned designs with surgey scars 🙂
Absolutley gorgeous piece!
And yay for pre-planned designs with surgey scars 🙂
Absolutley gorgeous piece!
And yay for pre-planned designs with surgey scars 🙂
Absolutley gorgeous piece!
And yay for pre-planned designs with surgey scars 🙂
Absolutley gorgeous piece!
And yay for pre-planned designs with surgey scars 🙂