How Body Branding Works (2024)

Once you get home with your new brand, you must clean your wound gently every day, coat it in an antibiotic ointment and add a new cellophane wrap. After about three days, as the skin begins to heal, you can add an irritant (like sugar) to hinder the production of healthy skin and encourage scarring. After about 10 days, stop the irritant and let your wound dry out and form a scab [source: Foxx].

After about a month and a half, some people disturb the wound by slapping or rubbing it to make the scar tissue more pronounced. Either way, it will take months for the wound to completely heal. In the meantime, experts recommend keeping the branded area away from any potentially germ-carrying substances, like bodily fluids [source: Foxx].

The complexity of branding aftercare underscores the risks involved in the procedure. As any burn expert will tell you, the possible complications associated with third-degree burns are not to be taken lightly.

The skin's three layers are the body's greatest defense against foreign invaders, and breaking through that defense leaves the body exposed to all kinds of contaminants. The big concern is infection. It's the most common cause of death among burn victims [source: University of Maryland Medical Center]. Being a volunteer instead of a victim doesn't change the potential harm.

Bacteria can enter through the wound at the time of branding or after the fact. Unsterilized equipment, dirty hands and sneezing can all introduce germs that cause serious health problems. Some people start taking prescription antibiotics before the procedure to shore up against this risk [source: Foxx]. But even with proper application and aftercare, infection remains a huge concern.

Improper tools, too, can cause damage in the form of metal poisoning. The coating on a wire hanger can easily flake off in the branding process, leaving potentially toxic foreign material behind [source: Skin Artists]. Technique plays a role, as well: An iron pressed too hard and/or too long on the skin can burn into layers of subcutaneous fat and muscle and cause permanent nerve damage [source: Kelly].

All of this makes branding one of the more risky forms of body modification which is perhaps why many colleges have rules against it, considering it a dangerous hazing ritual. In states like Florida, hazing is a felony, and students who participate in branding could potentially land in prison [source: Battle].

Who's Your Brander?

While there is no certifying body in the world of branding, many professional tattoo and piercing artists have also studied proper branding techniques. It's smart to research the artist's experience and training before letting him or her give you third-degree burns.

Author's Note: How Body Branding Works

Writing about the "why" of any subcultural practice can be tricky. It's tempting to generalize, but that's usually a faulty approach. For instance, I once knew a woman who branded her pelvis after a miscarriage, in memoriam. Neither aesthetics nor "separateness" played into her decision. And in researching this article, I read about a Muslim man who wanted a tattoo but found it forbidden by his religion, so he opted for branding instead. I tried to avoid absolutes in the discussion of branding's appeal, which I hope readers will take as an overview of possible motivations and not a comprehensive or definitive list.

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Sources
  • ABC Nightline. "Body Branding: a 'Hot' New Trend?" (April 1, 2013) http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/popup?id=3933008
  • Battle, Ashley L. "For some black fraternities, body branding is a symbol of devotion." Columbia News Service. March 27, 2007. (April 1, 2013) http://jscms.jrn.columbia.edu/cns/2007-03-27/battle-branding.html
  • Church of Body Modification (CoBM). (April 5, 2013) http://uscobm.com/
  • Cox, James A. "Bilboes, Brands and Branks: Colonial Crimes and Punishments." The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Spring 2003. (April 4, 2013) http://www.history.org/foundation/journal/spring03/branks.cfm
  • Foxx, Russ. "Scarification." Russ Foxx Body Art & Modification. (April 1, 2013) http://russfoxx.com/gallery/scarification
  • Guynup, Sharon. "Scarification: Ancient Body Art Leaving New Marks." National Geographic News. July 28, 2004. (April 10, 2013).http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/07/0728_040728_tvtabooscars.html
  • Hickman, Leo. "Is human branding an animal-rights stunt too far?" The Guardian. Jan. 21, 2013. (April 4, 2013) http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/shortcuts/2013/jan/21/human-branding-animal-rights-stunt
  • Israel National News. "Humans Branded in Tel Aviv for Animal Rights." Oct. 3, 2012. (April 10, 2013) http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/Flash.aspx/251098#.UWWzUVe1Upo
  • Kelly, Tom. "Forget tattoos, branding is the hottest new trend." The Daily Mail. Oct. 28, 2007. (April 8, 2013) http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-490283/Forget-tattoos-branding-hottest-new-trend.html
  • Knink. "Scarification." (April 3, 2013) http://knink.com/content/tattoos/scarification.htm
  • Laylin, Tafline. "269life Activists Etch and Burn White Calf Branding Number Into Skin." Green Prophet. April 4, 2013. (April 10, 2013) http://www.greenprophet.com/2013/04/animal-rights-activists-269/
  • Macfarlane, Jo. "The woman bringing horror of 'human branding' to Britain: Vegan to mark volunteer with hot iron in protest against animal cruelty." The Daily Mail. Jan. 13, 2013. (April 8, 2013) http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2265109/The-woman-bringing-horror-human-branding-Britain-Vegan-mark-volunteer-hot-iron-protest-animal-cruelty.html
  • Parman, Sami. "Human branding, scarification yield dramatic results." The Ranger. March 6, 2008. (April 4, 2013) http://www.theranger.org/2.13549/human-branding-scarification-yield-dramatic-results-1.1855663#.UV1uwVe1Upo
  • Skin Artists. "Body Branding." (April 8, 2013) http://www.skin-artists.com/body-branding.htm
  • Snider, Dana. "IU Students Are a Different Brand." The GW Hatchet. April 26, 1999. (April 7, 2013) http://www.gwhatchet.com/1999/04/26/iu-students-are-a-different-brand/
  • University of Maryland Medical Center (UMM) Medical Reference. "Burns." (April 8, 2013) http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/burns-000021.htm
  • University of Michigan Health System (UMHS) Newsroom. "Pleasure and pain: Study shows brain's "pleasure chemical" is involved in response to pain, too." Oct. 19, 2006. (April 8, 2013) http://www.med.umich.edu/opm/newspage/2006/dopamine.htm
  • Vice. "Stick 'n' Burn: A Guide to DIY Branding at Home." (April 1, 2013) http://www.vice.com/read/home-branding-v14n10
  • Ward, Clarissa. "Branding Their Bodies." ABC Nightline. Nov. 29, 2007. (April 1, 2013) http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/story?id=3933267&page=1#.UVnKXVe1Upo
How Body Branding Works (2024)

FAQs

How does body branding work? ›

Human branding or stigmatizing is the process by which a mark, usually a symbol or ornamental pattern, is burned into the skin of a living person, with the intention of the resulting scar making it permanent. This is performed using a hot or very cold branding iron.

Is human branding illegal? ›

Body Branding is Not Legal Everywhere

If you are thinking about having any type of branding tattoo done, make sure you're going to a well-reviewed professional. It's also important to ensure that human branding is legal in your area.

What degree burn is branding? ›

Branding is a form of body art wherein third-degree burns are inflicted on the skin to produce permanent scars. This method of scarification is a common practice among many indigenous cultures and has become exceedingly common in western societies.

How long does body branding take to heal? ›

After about 10 days, stop the irritant and let your wound dry out and form a scab [source: Foxx]. After about a month and a half, some people disturb the wound by slapping or rubbing it to make the scar tissue more pronounced. Either way, it will take months for the wound to completely heal.

How long does freeze branding last on humans? ›

The healing process typically lasts for six to eight weeks. Importantly, the temperature of the freeze branding, the amount of contact time with the skin, and the thickness of the skin are all important variables that determine the depth of injury.

Does branding leave a scar? ›

Human branding is the process, in which a mark is made on the skin of a living person by burning, resulting in permanent scarification.

How painful is human branding? ›

During the branding process, you may feel faint, have difficulty breathing, or even pass out. While some seek the euphoric release of dopamine during the process, it can be overwhelming, especially during long sessions. If you're prone to fainting, especially when you experience pain, branding might not be for you.

How do I brand myself? ›

Five Tips to Branding Yourself
  1. #1: Define your brand and become an expert. ...
  2. #2: Establish a presence. ...
  3. #3: Generate brand awareness through networking. ...
  4. #4: Remember the 3 Cs of branding. ...
  5. #5: Get feedback from those who know you best—at work, at home, anywhere.

What is the punishment of branding? ›

In criminal law, branding with a hot iron was a mode of punishment to remind offenders of their status in life. Brand marks were used in convicted criminals, usually combined with other physical punishment and public humiliation, and were normally applied on a visible parts of the body.

How much does it cost to get branded? ›

Outsourcing a professional logo design could set you back between $500 and $5,000. If you're aiming for a full brand identity package, including business cards and stationery, your brand identity cost might be around $2,000 to $10,000 or more.

Is Hot Branding painful? ›

Hot-iron branding is most painful at the time of brand placement, while freeze branding appears most painful 15 to 30 minutes after the procedure. Hot-iron branding causes more inflammation than freeze branding. Hot-iron brands may stay painful for at least 8 weeks, evidenced by avoidance behavior of the cattle.

What is the difference between branding and tattooing? ›

While both of them are permanent, the following are some differences between body branding and tattoo: Tattoos can be removed using laser surgery: body branding is permanent. The visual results are different. Body branding is extremely painful.

Is Hot Branding permanent? ›

Hot branding, or fire branding, is the oldest method of permanently marking a horse. It involves using a heated iron to burn and damage the hair follicles on the horse's skin, creating a permanent, hairless scar. The intense heat results in a dark, visible mark that serves as a clear identifier.

What to do after branding? ›

  1. 8 Things to do After Rebranding Your Business. Jenny Henderson. ...
  2. CHANGEOVER YOUR BRAND STYLES. ...
  3. GET FAMILIAR WITH YOUR BRAND GUIDELINES. ...
  4. REVISIT YOUR BRAND MESSAGING. ...
  5. UPLOAD YOUR BRAND ASSETS TO CANVA. ...
  6. CREATE A CONSISTENCY PLAN. ...
  7. KEEP YOUR BRAND STYLE GUIDE ON HAND. ...
  8. FILTER ALL DECISIONS THROUGH YOUR BRAND STRATEGY.
May 16, 2024

Can you remove body branding? ›

Unlike tattoos that have can be removed with laser surgery or piercing holes that can heal, branding is permanent. Branding isn't a do-it-yourself, at-home activity. It's a painful process that should only be done by professionals in a sanitary environment who are trained in handling sterilized equipment.

How long does it take for branding to work? ›

This is one of the first questions we get asked right just before a client decides to hire us. The branding process can take anywhere from 4-8 weeks to sometimes 6 months or more. So let's dive right on in, and break this down the 8393 Creative way.

Do cowboys get branded in real life? ›

There do not appear to be any stories of real-life cowboys voluntarily taking a brand as part of their job. In fact, these sequences see the show being slightly unrealistic. The brands used in Yellowstone are meant for the thick skin of cattle.

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