About Branding

A brand is a controlled third-degree burn produced deliberately on the skin. Branding is a form of scarification (creating controlled scarring on the skin in a decorative shape). It is an ancient practice that occurs in various forms all over the world. There are many methods of branding, most of which involve heating metal and pressing it into the skin to create a pattern or image.

Cattle-branding (using a piece of metal crafted into the shape of the brand) may come to mind, but this method does not have a high rate of success. Many branding artists do use this method called strike branding but it is very artistically limited. Your branding artist at Miraculous Creations will use a method similar to tattooing to produce your brand. She will apply a stencil of the image to your skin, and then use a heated, sterile surgical steel rod to burn the skin in small increments until the design is complete. Branding can be one of the more painful forms of body modification, but for many people, the results are worth the discomfort.

For many that’s what is so appealing, for some it’s the shock value of having the brand. For many others it can be a symbol of sacrifice, commitment or dedication. Examples may include sports teams, college sororities, fire departments, close friends etc. In these circumstances the logo that represents their group is often the design. Members of the BD/SM society often use it as a form of showing submission or respect to the dominant partner. The design used is often the initial of the dominant partner. Some people have no particular reason, they just simply like how they look.

Choosing a Design: Branding

Brands are produced with a narrow metal rod, which allows the client and artist a certain degree of control over the design. However, the most appropriate designs for branding are very simple, without a lot of fine lines. As burned skin heals, it tends to spread, sometimes even creating secondary scar tissue between parts of the brand that are close together. Much of the detail that is possible with tattooing simply is not possible with branding. The most successful designs are simple shapes, symbols, series of decorative lines, or even simple outlines of objects or animals. Your branding artist will be happy to consult with you about your design, using her expertise to help you understand the benefits and limitations of branding.

How to Prepare for Your Branding

Preparing for your branding is simple, but there are several issues to keep in mind: you can help prevent potential medical problems, and increase your own comfort during and after the process.

Your body will treat a fresh brand as an open wound, and you can help it heal quickly and effectively. If your blood sugar is level, you will be more comfortable during the process and minimize potential risks, such as pain or fainting. Eat a good meal 1-2 hours before getting branded, to keep your blood sugar steady. If you have not eaten all day your blood sugar will be low, and low blood sugar could cause you to faint. Feel free to bring juice, soda, a sports drink, or a snack such as candy or a granola bar; these products will increase your blood sugar quickly if you begin to feel weak or shaky.

If you have diabetes, it is especially important to eat well and check your blood sugar before your appointment. If you begin to feel weak, shaky, dizzy, or otherwise uncomfortable while you are getting branded, inform your artist immediately so she can help you return to normal before you continue.

It’s important to be well rested and not overly stressed or distracted by other matters. Partying the night before is not a smart thing to do.

If you have a cold, flu, or other temporary illness, your immune system is compromised because it is already working to heal the illness. You should not get branded during times of illness and certainly not if you have a fever; please call as soon as possible to reschedule your appointment. If you have a rash, broken skin, or sunburn in the area that will be branded, you must wait until the skin has healed before it can be branded.

On the day of your appointment, do not apply lotion, makeup, tanning creams, or other products to the area that will be branded. Do not shave the area in advance; the branding artist will shave your skin immediately before the branding, and shaving in advance could cause razor burn or other skin irritation, making the process more difficult and painful. Wear clean comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the area to be branded.

If you are happy with the branding you receive, please remember to show your appreciation by tipping your artist. Whether to tip, and what amount to give, are completely up to you, but the scale is similar to that at a restaurant.

- Ryen Welker & Rose Andlauer